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Last update: 08.04.2024 - 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 19th March 2024, Radio Nacional, Radio 3 and Radio 5 launched on DAB+ in the metropolitan area of Santiago de Compostela.

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.

Court ruling to determine fate of digital radio in Valencia

20.02.2020 - Spain

The autonomous government of Valencia may be required to launch a call for tenders for digital radio services in the region, should the ruling of the Valencian Superior Court of Justice rule in favour of Mirendica - a legal consultancy firm soliciting the launch of digital radio in the autonomous region.

(Valencia Plaza) Read more

Seventh DAB multiplex on air in Spain

04.02.2020 - Spain

Digital transmissions on DAB waveband, channel 9C, started in Tenerife in December 2019. The transmitter is located on the Teide, the highest active volcano in the Atlantic ocean and also the highest mountain in Spain (3.718 m). In total there are nine programmes transmitted on the multiplex.

(Radio Reporter) Read more

DAB+ at home and in the car

21.01.2020 - Spain

This article outlines the specifications of DAB radio, touching on the technology's various benefits for listeners and broadcasters, and Germany's recent introduction of regulation mandating DAB+ radio in cars and certain types of consumer receivers.

(El digital de Asturias) Read more

Navarra government launches call for tenders for new regional multiplex

09.01.2020 - Spain

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

(Pamplona Actual) Read more

Bcast brings DAB+ to Tenerife

22.12.2019 - Spain

A new DAB+ multiplex operated by Polish broadcast operator Bcast has launched on the Spanish island of Tenerife, in the Canary islands. The multiplex was launched near the town of Adeje.

(Bcast) Read more

Spain urged to get on board with DAB+ in light of EECC

11.12.2019 - Spain

Radio industry stakeholders in Spain are endorsing the uptake of DAB+ digital radio in Europe, and urging their government to follow in the footsteps of Italy, France and Germany, by introducing a national law in line with the EECC directive, which requires new cars across the EU to be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio by the end of 2020.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

Spain trailing behind rest of Europe on DAB+ front

30.09.2019 - Spain

While the radio industry in Europe continues its transition to digital, the Spanish government has yet to manifest any signs of commitment to the rollout of DAB+ in the country, prompting industry experts to raise their concern on the matter.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

Spain urged to follow European counterparts and drive DAB+ growth

21.09.2019 - Spain

The digitisation of the radio industry continues to sweep over Europe, prompting digital radio enthusiasts in Spain to urge their country to follow suit. According to the digital radio report published by the EBU, the two transmitters currently active in Spain only cover 20% of the population, offering no more than one service that is not available through the FM band.

(El Confidencial) Read more

Spanish government delays digital radio talks amidst second digital dividend uncertainty

27.02.2019 - Spain

The Spanish government's decision to postpone discussions around the implementation of digital radio in Spain has been met with frustration by DAB+ supporters including political party Coalició Compromís.

(Compromís) Read more

Compromís to seek development of DAB+ in Spain

17.12.2018 - Spain

Jordi Navarrete, Senator of the Valencian political party Compromís, is expected to recommend the creation of a paper addressing the development of DAB+ in Spain to the Spanish Senate Industry Committee.

(20 Minutos) Read more