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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.

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

DAB+ working group on the agenda in Spain

12.12.2018 - Spain

The creation of a working group analysing the development of digital radio in Spain, brought forward by Valencian political party Compromís, is expected to be debated by the Spanish Senate Industry Committee on Monday 17 December.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

All new cars to include DAB+ says EU

20.11.2018 - Spain

A new directive adopted by the EU will require car manufacturers to implement DAB+ in all new car models sold in Europe as of 2021. A two-year transition period ending in December 2020 is set to follow, at which point DAB+ radio will become a mandatory measure for all new cars sold across the EU member states.

(motor.es) Read more

Spanish political party Compromís prepares DAB+ submission for Senate

16.10.2018 - Spain

Compromís has proposed the creation of a study to address the development of DAB+ in Spain, with the aim to effectively transition the country to digital radio broadcasting in line with other European nations.

(Gorkazumeta) Read more

SsangYong Rodius

26.07.2018 - Spain

The top range versions will have a full standard equipment in which we find rear view camera, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, DAB radio, Bluetooth, rain sensor, automatic lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, control of cruise and parking sensors.

(motor.es) Read more

Honda CR-V

23.07.2018 - Spain

Free of charge in the new Honda CR-V is automatic climate control (one zone), 17-inch alloy wheels, sound system with 5-inch screen, bluetooth, USB, DAB radio, four electric windows, lock with remote control, thermal mirrors , start-up assistant in slopes, front armrest.

(Autonoción) Read more

New cars should incorporate DAB/DAB+ as standard in Europe

14.07.2018 - Spain

The Committee of Industry, Research and Technology of the European Parliament has voted in favor of a regulation that requires that all new cars have DAB/DAB+ in the future, with approval for the motion to be debated after the summer.

(Gorkazumeta) Read more

JBL Tuner, the three in one: FM radio with DAB+ and Bluetooth, Portable

10.07.2018 - Spain

In addition to FM reception, with the ability to receive RDS information (text from the station for example), the JBL Tuner has DAB. This type of emissions is equivalent to television DTT: it uses a traditional channel to send packaged digital signals.

(Tuexperto) Read more

Subaru Outback Executive Plus S

04.05.2018 - Spain

For connectivity systems, the new Subaru has a new 8-inch screen to link the phones through Apple Car Play and Android Auto. There is DAB+ digital radio, bluetooth connectivity, auxiliary connector and several USB, also in the rear seats with two new sockets.

(Hoy) Read more