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Last update: 19.07.2024 - older versions

Radio Nacional de España begins DAB+ broadcasts

Coinciding with the celebration of World Radio Day and the centenary year of radio in Spain, Radio Nacional de España has started digital radio broadcasts in DAB+ together with Cellnex Telecom on 13 February 2024, with the firm intention of deploying this digital radio standard in our country, which is set to replace FM in the long term.

You can listen to the following broadcasts on DAB+:

- Radio Nacional and Radio 5 in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao.

- Radio 3 in Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao.

These broadcasts are in addition to the existing DAB broadcasts of Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3, Radio 5 and Radio Exterior in Madrid and Barcelona.

On a monthly basis, RNE's offer on DAB+ and the coverage of the service will be progressively increased, starting broadcasts in other Spanish cities.

On 19 March 2024, Radio Nacional, Radio 3 and Radio 5 launched on DAB+ in the metropolitan area of Santiago de Compostela. On 18 April 2024, DAB+ broadcasts launched in Pamplona; on 17 May 2024, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; on 18 June 2024, in Mijas, covering Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola; and on 18 July 2024, broadcasts started in Mallorca, from Cellnex Telecom's broadcasting centre in Alfàbia.

Once deployed throughout Spain, DAB+ will allow Radio Televisión Española to provide the public radio broadcasting service in the terms currently entrusted to it by law, providing maximum geographical and social coverage, with the best quality and additional services specific to DAB+ and with free-to-air broadcasts and free reception.

Regional DAB+

In January 2020, the regional government in Navarra advertised capacity for six DAB services on a future ensemble for the region, designated FU-Nav. Simultaneously, the regional government advertised a total of 72 DAB licences across 12 ensembles, each of which will have local coverage.

In Mallorca, a multiplex licensed by the Autonomous Government of the Balearic Islands began broadcasting in February 2024, broadcasting four stations from the Serra de Alfabia.

In July 2024, The Govern de les Illes Balears will implement, through DAB+ technology, IB3's digital radio in the first quarter of 2025. The Balearic Islands becomes the first Autonomous Community in which all three radio coverage (local, regional and national) will be offered in DAB+.

Last update: 18.04.2024 - older versions

RNE DAB+ services are on air in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona.

These broadcasts join the existing ones on DAB in Madrid and Barcelona.

RNE will increase monthly its content offer and coverage on DAB+ until the end of 2024.

RNE coverage: > 30% population

Rest of national stations: 20% population

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In this country there are

National multiplexes: 3 Regular

on air.

Please note:

(a) These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b) The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

A total of 18 DAB and 4 DAB+ legal audio services are on air, but enhanced features as text, images or programme guides are not available.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB programmes	17	2	19
DAB+ programmes	3	0	3
Total	20	2	22

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In Spain, 98% of new cars sold in 2023 have DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2023).

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

Almost a 5% of digital radio receivers sold in retailers includes DAB/DAB+ receiver, although no DAB/DAB+ national promotion has been carried out.

It is estimated that nearly 3 million cars already have a DAB/DAB+ receiver in Spain.

Last update: 21.10.2019 - older versions

Spanish Broadcaster Radio Maria (http://www.radiomaria.es/) started DAB+ test transmissions in Madrid and Barcelona on 2014 December 30th.

This is the first time DAB+ has been used for radio broadcasting in Spain. This DAB/DAB+ network is operated by the Broadcast Network Operator Cellnex Telecom.

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

National station licenses are issued by the central government, while local and regional licenses are the responsibility of the regional government. Licenses are valid for 15 years with an automatic renewal for a further 15 years. Advertising and sponsorship are permitted under the same rules which exist for analogue radio, and data is permitted on up to 20% of multiplex capacity.

Digital Audio Broadcasting is allowed by law in Band III.

There are three layers of services set out by law:

National, with 1 SFN multiplex and 2 MFN multiplexes
Regional (Comunidad Autónoma basis), with 1/3 SFN multiplex (nowadays without transmissions) and 2/3 MFN multiplex (not implemented)
Local, with 237 areas covered by different frequency blocks in Band III

Nowadays, due to the entry into force of the Digitalization Plan for Terrestrial Broadcasting, DAB services are on air only to cover a 20% of the Spanish population (Madrid and Barcelona including their metropolitan areas). It is the minimum population coverage required by the current National Technical Plan for Digital Audio Broadcasting.

RNE is providing DAB+ services covering a percentage of the population above that minimum.

‘Never before has audio been listened to more’

02.06.2025 - Spain

I am a believer in Digital Terrestrial Radio. But not a radical. I believe that radio in Spain must tackle this subject that has been pending for two decades. But I understand the reality of the private sector, their fears and reservations (because I also worked from this side of the stage). But then you realise the huge role played by FM radio during the blackout, proving that it can continue to broadcast, even if the power is out. We talk about the future, and our mouths are full defending IP radio, streaming. But broadcast - over-the-air radio - continues to save lives in the midst of natural disasters and national emergencies. We defend progress and identify it with the network of networks. But dictatorships have an enormous facility to censor and cut off access to internet content, while they can do nothing to cut off terrestrial broadcasts.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

The lessons of Spain's blackout for radio's future

19.05.2025 - Spain

Gorka Zumeta reflects on the lessons learned from the events of 28 April: Radio has shown, as a medium, that it is capable of reassuring a frightened country, it is capable of informing when no one else can, and it is capable of bringing light into the darkness. But we must draw from this crisis the main lesson, which is none other than the channel: terrestrial radio, the one transmitted over the airwaves, is the safest in the face of a catastrophe or emergency, in the face of which the internet is weak and defenceless. The blackout on 28 April at 12:33 collapsed the country's entire media system, except for radio. The lack of electricity supply meant that television was useless, and the digital press did not work.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

WorldDAB Automotive 2025 puts Broadcast First!

14.05.2025 -

- Spain

WorldDAB – the global industry forum for DAB+ digital radio – will be showcasing how broadcast digital radio remains vital in-car, as its unique annual WorldDAB Automotive event comes to Madrid, Spain on 19 June. Broadcast First! is the theme for the 2025 edition, which offers unparalleled opportunities for industry professionals to gain valuable insights into the latest developments in DAB+ digital broadcast radio technology for the automotive sector. Keynote speakers at the event include Javier Sanchez, RTVE and Jaume Pujol, Cellnex Telecom, on stage alongside WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst, who will open the event. Automotive sector leaders include Frank Nowack, Function Owner Broadcast Radio for Ford Motor Company.

(WorldDAB) Read more

Audio: WorldDAB on Des Ondes Vocast podcast

14.05.2025 - France - Spain

WorldDAB's Jean-Marc Dubreuil featured in the latest "Des Ondes Vocast" podcast. "In the May issue, we start with a round-up of radio news. Then Rémy Bertholon looks back at Cauet's return to Europe 2. He listened in and tells you what he thought. Spain and Portugal faced a giant power cut, and radio made the headlines as the only medium capable of informing the population when TV and 3G networks were inaccessible. Rémy welcomes Jean-Marc Dubreuil from WorldDAB to explain why radio is the medium of choice in emergency situations."

(Des Ondes Vocast) Read more

EITB visits Mount Oiz site for DAB+

06.05.2025 - Spain

On the 10 April, Igor Jainaga, chief technical officer of the public broadcaster EiTB and member of Itelazpi's Board of Directors, accompanied by the heads of FM radio and networks of the public broadcaster, took part in a visit organised to the installation on Mount Oiz. The visit, chaired by Xabier Zubiaur, General Manager of Itelazpi, began at the headquarters of the Public Telecommunications Company in Zamudio. During the meeting, Zubiaur also presented the coverage measurement campaign carried out in 2024, which certifies the public broadcaster EiTB as the radio group with the best coverage in the Basque Country, and represents an unbeatable situation for the deployment of the new DAB+ digital radio, a strategic project that Itelazpi will tackle over the next four years.

(Itelazpi) Read more

Radio, key to the 2025 blackout

01.05.2025 - Spain

The widespread blackout in Spain and other European countries has highlighted the importance of broadcasting as a critical infrastructure. 28 April 2025 will be remembered as the day on which the Iberian peninsula experienced one of the largest power blackouts in its recent history. Spain, Portugal, Andorra and parts of southern France suffered a collapse in electricity supply that paralysed critical infrastructures, directly affecting the daily lives of millions of citizens. For hours, a large part of the population was cut off: digital services and fixed and mobile telephone networks stopped working in a large part of the territory. In this context of uncertainty, a traditional medium once again demonstrated its strength: radio.

(Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación) Read more

Audio: Cridland tells BBC "radio has always been an emergency service"

30.04.2025 - United Kingdom - Australia - Spain

In the aftermath of the power outage in Spain and Portugal, radio futurologist James Cridland spoke to Radio 4's PM programme about the medium's importance in an emergency. "Of course, most radio is on DAB now and that means you need to find a wind-up DAB radio," he says. "Radio has always made sure that it is an emergency service... the radio is the one thing that you can pretty well guarantee will work because it's not reliant on cellphone connections and wires."

(BBC Radio 4 / BBC Sounds) Read more

WorldDAB member focus: TRedess

18.03.2025 -

- TRedess WorldDAB Member - Spain

In the last three years, new WorldDAB member TRedess has delivered more than 500 DAB+ transmitters to more than 15 countries (Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Netherlands, 'small-scale' DAB+ projects in the UK, Slovakia, Denmark, Norway, Australia, etc). Learn more about TRedess' activities in this interview with Luis Grela, Sales Manager at TRedess.

(WorldDAB) Read more

Javier Sánchez, new director of RTVE's Audiovisual Policy and Public Service Department

17.02.2025 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

WorldDAB Steering Board member Javier Sánchez is the new Director of Audiovisual Policy and Public Service at RTVE. A Telecommunications Engineer from the Alfonso X El Sabio University, his professional activity has always been related to the provision of audiovisual communication services and related aspects. He joined RTVE by competitive examination in 2008. He has been responsible for Strategy at the RTVE Innovation Centre since its creation in 2015 until the present, and has been part of the Impulsa Visión team since its creation. He has also been responsible for RTVE's European Spectrum Strategy (2014-2015) and head of Technical Planning at RNE (2008-2014).

(RTVE) Read more

RNE celebrates first anniversary of DAB+ reaffirming commitment to digitalisation and radio accessibility

13.02.2025 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

Just over a year ago today, RNE began broadcasting in DAB+ with the firm intention of deploying this digital radio standard in Spain, which is set to replace FM in the long term. At that inaugural event, RTVE also announced its commitment to progressively increase RNE's DAB+ offer and the coverage of the service. One year later, on World Radio Day, RNE ratifies its commitment to the digitalisation and accessibility of radio. RNE becomes the first Spanish radio station to start legal DAB+ broadcasts in Castilla la Mancha, starting to broadcast its programming of Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3 and Radio 5 in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara from Cellnex Telecom's broadcasting centre located in Iriépal.

(RTVE) Read more

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RTVE Director Castillejo calls for national plan for digital radio

11.03.2024

English text of Ángel García Castillejo of RTVE's speech at the DAB+ launch in Spain. "If we're not able to offer the DAB+ service, they are not going to come to the radio, radio will disappear. There are no more excuses." says Castillejo.

Read more