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Last update: 29.04.2024 - 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.

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.

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.

If Germany pushes with DAB+, Europe will end up on the bandwagon

14.09.2016 - Spain

In ten points, ARD draws a very tight common framework to ensure the progress of DAB+. Digital radio has always been universal and free and 50 million DAB/DAB+ receivers have already been sold worldwide.

(Gorka Zumeta ) Read more

Sangean WFR-27C

08.08.2016 - Spain

The Sangean WFR-27C may look like a traditional radio, but is packed with modern features such as digital radio, internet and Spotify Connect.

(Tuexperto.com) Read more

Mitsubishi Space Star review

08.04.2016 - Spain

The car comes as standard with 14-inch alloy wheels, central locking with remote control, air conditioning, DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth, darkened rear windows, heated exterior mirrors and multifunction steering wheel.

(MotorAdictos) Read more

American lobbies could derail the digitisation of radio in Europe

18.11.2015 -

- Spain

The only way to maintain terrestrial sound broadcasting with the same characteristics it has today without losing their identity; universal and free, remains DAB/DAB+. If anyone thinks that online radio could fill this gap, at least for now, is quite wrong.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

DAB not closed in Spain

24.08.2015 - Spain

In response to a recent article on the situation of DAB in Spain, Gorka Zumeta argues that DAB in Spain is still very much an current issue.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

Rebirth of digital radio in Europe

21.05.2015 -

- Spain

Broadcasters and automakers gathered together at the WorldDMB European Automotive Event in Brussels to discuss the role that the automotive industry plays in the development of digital radio. Broadcasters asked the European Commission to ensure sufficient spectrum for the provision of digital radio in the belief that the Band III should remain the band dedicated to digital radio in Europe.

(Panorama Audiovisiual) Read more

The new Civic, advance in the renewal of the Honda range

06.04.2015 - Spain

Just one of the main innovations of the 2015 Japanese compact is the inclusion of the information and audio system on-board Honda Connect, compatible with the Android 4.0.4 operating system. It has an integrated AM/FM and DAB Digital Radio System and radio over the internet.

(Heraldo.es) Read more

Commission Opens In-Depth Investigation On Spanish Compensation For Digital ...

26.04.2012 - Spain

The broadcasting sector has undergone in the past years major changes as a result of the introduction of digital technologies. The switch from analogue to digital broadcasting led to a more efficient use of radio frequencies and resulted in a partial ...

(eGov monitor) Read more

EU investigates Spanish aid for broadcasters going digital

26.04.2012 - Spain

On Wednesday the European Commission announced that it is opening an in-depth investigation into Spanish state aid to broadcasters aimed at maximizing the so-called "digital dividend." Under the recently approved Radio Spectrum Policy Program (RSPP), ...

(PC Advisor) Read more

WorldDMB launch of Business Case Scenarios Report demonstrates digital radio is on the money!

16.03.2012 -

- Spain

The WorldDMB Business Case Scenarios Report was launched today at Radiodays, the biggest annual radio event in Europe. During the session ‘Going for a digital future’ Patrick Hannon, VP Corporate Development at chip manufacturer Frontier Silicon presented the case that there is now compelling evidence that digital radio enables new revenue generation opportunities and that broadcasters need to proactively exploit these to ensure that they stay competitive in the market place.