Spain - Current situation - History

30.01.2012

Spain first began broadcasting digital radio in April 1998 covering Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. There have also been trial services in the Basque country and Catalunya.

The Council of Ministers reached an agreement on Digital Radio in June 2011 and approved a Digitalization Plan for Terrestrial Broadcasting, with the following measures:

  • Flexibility for the broadcasters, in order to allow for migration to DAB+
  • Study of a possible reassignment of the multiplexes
  • Promotional activities throught the Spanish DAB Forum
  • DAB+ trials
  • Study of the necessary conditions to determine the date of possible analogue switch off

The Spanish DAB Association (Asociación Foro de la Radio Digital), comprising both national private and public broadcasters, is responsible for DAB/DAB+ in Spain.  

04.08.2011

Spain first began broadcasting digital radio in April 1998 covering Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. There have also been trial services in the Basque country and Catalunya.

The Council of Ministers reached an agreement on Digital Radio in June 2011 and approved a Digitalization Plan for Terrestrial Broadcasting, with the following measures:

  • Flexibility for the broadcasters, in order to allow for migration to DAB+
  • Study of a possible reassignment of the multiplexes
  • Promotional activities throught the Spanish DAB Forum
  • DAB+ trials
  • Study of the necessary conditions to determine the date of possible analogue switch off

It is expected that technical trials will be carried out in September 2011.

The Spanish DAB Association (Asociación Foro de la Radio Digital), comprising both national private and public broadcasters, is responsible for DAB/DAB+ in Spain.  

08.09.2010

Spain first began broadcasting digital radio in April 1998 covering Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. There have also been trial services in the Basque country and Catalunya.

The Spanish DAB Association (Asociación Foro de la Radio Digital), comprising both national private and public broadcasters, is responsible for DAB in Spain.  While there has been little progress in DAB expansion in Spain, three multiplexes remain on air broadcasting a mix of stations to 60% of the population.

A statement from the AERC, the Spanish Commercial Radio Association, in 2010 noted the broadcasters' commitment to a digital radio future for the country, but said it must be "carried out properly, respecting the rights and concessions of analogue radio."

The Spanish government is due to pass a broadcasting Act before the end of 2011,  It is hoped the Act will set out a plan for digital terrestrial radio broadcasting which will allow the industry to move forward.