Sweden - Current situation - History
01.03.2019
Commercial DAB+ digital radio stations will be broadcast from January 2019
In October 2018 the commercial radio broadcaster Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group), together with partners DB Media AB and Skärgårdsradion AB announced to the Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority (MPRT) that they will begin to broadcast a total of 15 radio stations using DAB+ from January 1, 2019. Subsequent to that announcement, the start of these broadcasts will be delayed by some months. More information on the regulator's website here.
DAB transmissions in Sweden started in 1995 and today coverage is 35% of the population with services from public service broadcaster Swedish Radio (SR) and commercial radio. The licence under which SR operates is valid until 31 December 2019 and commercial broadcasters operates under licenses that are valid until September 2022.
As a result, the decisions about the digitalization of radio in Sweden remains to be taken. The Government have said that the question could be re-opened, depending on the development of digital radio in the rest of Europe – especially experiences from the switchover in neighbouring Norway.
26.02.2019
Commercial DAB+ digital radio stations will be broadcast from January 2019
In October 2018 the commercial radio broadcaster Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group), together with partners DB Media AB and Skärgårdsradion AB announced to the Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority (MPRT) that they will begin to broadcast a total of 15 radio stations using DAB+ from January 1, 2019. Subsequent to that announcement, the start of these broadcasts will be delayed by some months. More information on the regulator's website here.
DAB transmissions in Sweden started in 1995 and today coverage is 35% of the population with services from public service broadcaster Swedish Radio (SR) and commercial radio. The licence under which SR operates is valid until 31 December 2019 and commercial broadcasters operates under licenses that are valid until 30th September 2022.
- On December 1st, 2014 the Digital Radio Industry Co-ordinator appointed by the Government put forward a switchover plan from FM to DAB+. The full report (in Swedish) can be downloaded (Swedish) at http://www.regeringen.se/rattsdokument/statens-offentliga-utredningar/2014/12/sou-201477/
- In June 2015, the Government decided not to proceed with the transition from FM to DAB+. This followed the publication of a report into digital radio by the National Audit Office in April 2015.
- On 3rd February, 2016 the Swedish Parliament discussed digital radio – with the Parliamentary Constitutional Standing Committee (KU) issuing a formal response to the Government's letter about the National Audit Office's April 2015 report into digital radio.
- In September 2017 the political party (C) writes in response to a motion: "Let's do as Norway and introduce DAB radio now". (C) writes that the former government decided to introduce DAB, but notes that the current government has decided not to switch to digital radio. (C) finds that "a possible change of technology requires a more thorough analysis to make an informed decision. DAB provides a wider choice of radio channels across the whole country at a lower distribution cost, but the transition also means costs for the individual”, they conclude.
As a result, the decisions about the digitalization of radio in Sweden remains to be taken. The Government have said that the question could be re-opened, depending on the development of digital radio in the rest of Europe – especially experiences from the switchover in neighbouring Norway.
24.10.2018
Commercial DAB+ digital radio stations will be broadcast from January 2019
In October 2018 the commercial radio broadcaster Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group), together with partners DB Media AB and Skärgårdsradion AB announced to the Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority (MPRT) that they will begin to broadcast a total of 15 radio stations using DAB+ from January 1, 2019. More information here.
According to the permit conditions, coverage will reach 35% of the population by April 1, 2019. Thereafter, coverage will increase incrementally and from April 1, 2020, reach 50% of the population and 70% in 2021.
DAB transmissions in Sweden started in 1995 and today coverage is 35% of the population with services from public service broadcaster Swedish Radio (SR) and commercial radio. The licence under which SR operates is valid until 31 December 2019 and commercial broadcasters operates under licenses that are valid until 30th September 2022.
- On December 1st, 2014 the Digital Radio Industry Co-ordinator appointed by the Government put forward a switchover plan from FM to DAB+. The full report (in Swedish) can be downloaded (Swedish) at http://www.regeringen.se/rattsdokument/statens-offentliga-utredningar/2014/12/sou-201477/
- In June 2015, the Government decided not to proceed with the transition from FM to DAB+. This followed the publication of a report into digital radio by the National Audit Office in April 2015.
- On 3rd February, 2016 the Swedish Parliament discussed digital radio – with the Parliamentary Constitutional Standing Committee (KU) issuing a formal response to the Government's letter about the National Audit Office's April 2015 report into digital radio.
- In September 2017 the political party (C) writes in response to a motion: "Let's do as Norway and introduce DAB radio now". (C) writes that the former government decided to introduce DAB, but notes that the current government has decided not to switch to digital radio. (C) finds that "a possible change of technology requires a more thorough analysis to make an informed decision. DAB provides a wider choice of radio channels across the whole country at a lower distribution cost, but the transition also means costs for the individual”, they conclude.
As a result, the decisions about the digitalization of radio in Sweden remains to be taken. The Government have said that the question could be re-opened, depending on the development of digital radio in the rest of Europe – especially experiences from the switchover in neighbouring Norway.