Sweden

Last update: 24.08.2023 - older versions

On 23 August 2023, the Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority [Myndigheten för press, radio och tv / MPRT] awarded seven new national and one regional licence for digital commercial radio, valid from 1 September 2023 to 31 July 2026. Malmö-based Mad Men Media has been granted five national licences. DB Media in Staffanstorp receives a national licence for the new channel Dansbandskanalen Klassiker. DB Media also receives a regional licence in Skåne for Guldkanalen Country. Skärgårdsradion, which already has a regional licence in Stockholm, can now broadcast nationally.

On 23 February 2023, the Swedish Ministry of Culture announced that a parliamentary committee will propose how the public service remit should be regulated from 2026 onwards and what should be included in the remit during the licensing period 2026-2033.  This includes the possible expansion of DAB broadcasting. The remit of the inquiry states:

SR and UR operate digital terrestrial radio broadcasting (DAB broadcasting). The broadcasting licence entitles the holder to broadcast in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö areas and in Norrbotten. Several commercial broadcasters operate DAB broadcasts with a licence from the Press, Radio and Television Authority. The licences are valid until July 2026 and include with a requirement to expand to 65% population coverage by 31 July 2025.

[…]

The Committee shall therefore

[…]

- analyse whether there is a need for an expansion of SR's DAB broadcasting, and if so, describe the costs of such an expansion and make proposals on how it could be financed within the public service remit, without prejudice to the public service remit content.

[…]

The mission shall be reported by 30 April 2024.

Committee directive Long-term conditions for a sustainable and independent public service

 

 The Swedish Regulator MPRT has been commissioned by the Swedish government to review the conditions for commercial radio in the longer term (Ku 2021/01993). In dialogue with relevant actors, including the industry, the authority plans to analyse the need for any changes in the regulations for licensing with the aim of submitting a final report to the Ministry of Culture by December 2022.  

DAB transmissions in Sweden started in 1995 and today population coverage stands at 42%, with services from public service broadcaster Swedish Radio (SR) and commercial radio. 

Swedish Radio operates a multiplex covering 42% of the population in the capital of Stockholm as well as in Södertälje, Uppsala, Gothenburg, Malmö and Luleå.

Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT) also has a multiplex in operation covering Stockholm, Uppsala, Gävle. This multiplex was expanded in to Gothenburg and Malmö and now covers 43% of the population.

In November 2019, Swedish Radio submitted an application to the Ministry of Culture for a national DAB+ permit for the 2020-2025 period. With its current permit, the public broadcaster is authorised to broadcast digital radio in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Norrbotten. As part of its new application, Swedish Radio has requested a nationwide permit for ten channels.

In February 2020, Bauer Media announced it would be launching DAB+ services in Sweden in the summer of 2020, with multiplexes launching in the cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.

Bauer Media broadcasts started in July 2020, and increased them in November 2020 with the launch of DAB+ services in Gotenburg and Malmo. Bauer Media's DAB services now cover 40% of the population, and are expected to reach 50% by the end of 2021.

Last update: 02.03.2022 - older versions

The Swedish DAB network (mux 1) is operated by Teracom AB and covers the cities Stockholm, Södertälje, Uppsala, Enköping, Luleå, Malmö and Göteborg using a multi-frequency network on frequencies 12C and 12B. The coverage of mux 1 is currently 41.8% of the population or about 3 million people. 

Mux 1 holds 8-10 regular and licensed services, all from Swedish Radio. All services in mux 1 are currently broadcast in DAB. All audio services hold DLS.

The Swedish DAB+ network (mux 2) is operated by Teracom AB under a specific test license and covers major cities Stockholm, Uppsala and Gävle using a multi-frequency network on frequencies 12C and 12D. Coverage reaches 27% of the population or about 2.5 million people. Mux 2 currently holds 9 pilot services from several major broadcasters (MTG radio and SBS radio), as well as some local community radios. All services in mux 2 are broadcasted in DAB+. All audio services hold DLS and SLS.

Visit the Teracom website  for coverage maps.

Last update: 03.03.2021 - older versions

In this country there are

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.

Mux1: 10 DAB+ audio channels from public service broadcaster Swedish Radio, including event channels that are only broadcast at specific months/weeks. In total there are 6-7 DAB services on air at any given time, one of which is simulcast on FM. Most of the other DAB+ channels are available online, but not broadcast on FM. All audio channels carry DLS and Slideshow. In addition, a trial version of TPEG is being broadcast.

Event channels

  • Christmas channel
  • Summer channel
  • Eurovision song contest channel
  • Classical music channel

Mux 2: 9 DAB+ audio channels from the major commercial radio groups, including NENT and Bauer Media. Four of them simulcast on FM nationwide. The rest of the DAB+ channels are available online, or very locally on FM. One channel, Lugna Favoriter, is only available online, and not broadcast on FM. All audio channels carry DLS and Slideshow. In addition, a trial version of TPEG is being broadcast.

Future Services on Air

The Swedish Broadcast Authority have announced licenses for commercial digital radio. A total of 25 stations have been awarded a license. 21 of which are national licenses and four are regional stations. 12 of the national stations are unique to digital radio and not broadcast on FM. The licensing allows for a significant increase in range of stations throughout Sweden.

Licenses will be valid from 2nd October 2014 until 30th September 2022 and broadcasting is to begin no later than 1st October 2015.  

More information is available here. Private radio has asked for permission to delay the launch.

Feature of services on air in Sweden

“P4 Bjällerklang” is a pop-up station playing “the most beloved and popular Christmas songs” in both familiar and unexpected versions, around the clock on digital radio (DAB) and on the web. The channel exists in December and January and is now broadcasting for the fifth year in a row. This is a good example of a pop-up station that uses the flexibility of the DAB/DAB+ standard to meet occasional listener demands.

“Knattekanalen” is a children’s station playing “new music mixed with familiar
songs and children’s pop from all times”. The channel broadcast in DAB and on the web each day
from six o’clock in the morning till eight at night. Children and their parents know that when they want to listen to children’s programs, there is always something on.



 

 

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 29 23 52
Data services 0 1 1
Total292453

Last update: 08.03.2022 - older versions

In Sweden, 84% of new cars sold in 2021 have DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2022).

Last update: 14.07.2015 - older versions

Sales in 2013 were 15,000 receivers which means the accumulated sales 2006-2013 is 37,000 receivers.

27,000 of these units are dated from 2012 and onwards, i.e. capable of DAB+ decoding. In comparison the 15,000 units sold per year is almost 4% of the total sales in Home and Portable Audio segment.

Given the estimated 27,000 DAB+ units, the household penetration in Sweden today is appoximately 1%.  

 

Last update: 30.09.2014 - older versions

In 2009, pilot transmissions of DAB+ started and the coverage quickly reached 22% of the population with 16 trial services from public service radio, commercial radio and community local radio.

Last update: 02.03.2022 - older versions

The Swedish Press, Radio and Television Authority MPRT has been commissioned by the Swedish government to review the conditions for commercial radio in the longer term (Ku 2021/01993). In dialogue with relevant actors, including the industry, the authority plans to analyse the need for any changes in the regulations for licensing.  According to the MPRT website, the review timeline is as follows:

  • May 2022 - publish an interim report with survey and analysis of digital radio development in Europe and analysis of market in Sweden
  • Autumn 2022 - submit a draft report analysing the need for possible changes
  • December 2022 - report to the Ministry of Culture

Key features of digital radio regulation in Sweden are:

  • Band III 
  • One MUX in big cities only
  • Switch-off date is to be set for analogue radio migration to DAB+
  • Cost of parallel transmission on analogue and digital to be supported by the Government
  • Industry co-ordinator has been appointed by the government to assure a transition by 2022

Regulation for Commercial Radio

In October 2012, all major commercial broadcasters applied for a total of 22 licences in both national and regional VHF Band III networks. The licenses for digital commercial radio were valid from September 2, 2014 to September 20, 2022. All license holders requested suspension with the broadcast start and referred to the uncertainty about whether there is a transition from analogue to digital radio and when such a possible transition can occur. Bauer Media AB, NRJ Sweden AB and Norrköping Radio & Co AB requested further suspension with the launch. MPRT granted them suspension until January 1, 2020 and adjusted the condition of phase expansion. MRTV stated that there would be no requirements on bit rate per service. However, the maximum number of services per commercial multiplex would be 16. The commercial license holders were obliged to co-operate in technical matters including choice of network operator. Coverage requirements may be imposed to ensure that the digital broadcasts reach a certain proportion of the population within the broadcasting area.

Regulation for Public Service Radio

The public service broadcaster, Swedish Radio (SR), got their license directly from the Government. The license period was six years valid until 31 December 2019 allowing Swedish Radio to broadcast digital radio using DAB/DAB+ in VHF Band III, but only to four regions in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Norrbotten) and with a maximum number of nine services (Stockholm and Norrbotten) or 10 (Gothenburg and Malmo). 

Spectrum for DAB/DAB+ digital radio

At the spectrum conference GE-2006 Sweden was awarded a total spectrum equivalent to of 4 nationwide DAB/DAB+ multiplexers in Band III. Three of the four multiplexes are MFNs (making regional insertion possible up to the maximum of 34 available frequency layers). In 2010 the Swedish Government awarded two of the four multiplexers (spectrum-wise) to public service radio and remaining two multiplexers to commercial radio.

 

Last update: 19.08.2019 - older versions

Following the launch of regular DAB+ in Sweden, a website dedicated to DAB+ developments in Sweden was launched in August 2019 -  http://dabplus.se/

Last update: 30.09.2014

Sweden has an Emergency Warning System using FM/RDS (PTy31) to send an alert flag making it possible for receivers and transmitters to change audio to the emergency channel, Swedish Radios channel P4. It is not unlikely that this feature will be imposed on a digital system. 

"Digital radio is good for motorists
02.04.2015 - Sweden Sweden
The transition to digital radio can provide motorists many new services such as real-time information on accidents, slippery roads, closed roads and lanes, writes Olaf Meng, Garmin Europe and Petter Djerf, Mediamobile.

Further boost for DAB+ digital radio in Sweden and Switzerland
02.12.2014 - WorldDAB News - Sweden Sweden - Switzerland Switzerland
Just days after German public broadcaster ARD announced its commitment to a transition to DAB+, and weeks after Norway announced all criteria have been met for FM switch off in 2017, Sweden and Switzerland have published roadmaps for a digital switchover from FM to DAB+.

(WorldDMB) Read more

(WorldDMB) Read more


Cilla Benkö on digital radio: “It’s high time politicians make their minds up”
01.12.2014 - Sweden Sweden
“Swedish Radio is one of the most significant broadcasting corporations in Europe when it comes to creating content that has social impact. Swedish Radio plays a crucial role in a well-functioning democracy. Moreover, Sweden’s ambition is to be a leading IT-nation. In order to live up to these goals, we must see this crucial infrastructure project realised. Swedish Radio must get the resources necessary for a successful investment - and that is a decisions only politicians can make,” Swedish Radio’s director general Benkö says in her response to the study by the Swedish government’s digital radio coordinator, Nina Wormbs, into the transition from FM to Digital Audio Broadcasting.

(Sveriges Radio ) Read more


Roadmap to digitalize terrestrial radio in Sweden
01.12.2014 - Sweden Sweden
The main purpose to digitalize is to further develop radio in Sweden and to maintain and modernize a critical information infrastructure able to reach every citizen. The plan consists of three parts: a mutual launch, extension of the licenses for commercial radio actors to broadcast analogue, and a conditional shutdown of FM transmissions. The full report (in Swedish) can be downloaded at www.regeringen.se/sb/d/18245/a/250902

(Regeringen) Read more

(Regeringen) Read more


FM is full and mobile broadband is not enough
01.12.2014 - Sweden Sweden
Government industry coordinator, Nina Wormbs, hands over her plan for digitisation of Swedish radio later today to the Minister of Culture. Developed in collaboration with the radio industry, the report recommends the rollout of DAB+ and FM switch off by 2022. FM is full and in order for the radio sector to develop, more channels are needed. Swedish Radio has only four channels - Swedish commercial radio is basically a duopoly with little competition.

(Debatt) Read more


Swedish Broadcasting Authority awards 25 licenses for commercial digital radio
06.10.2014 - Teracom AB - Sweden Sweden
The Swedish Broadcast Authority have announced licenses for commercial digital radio. A total of 25 channels have been awarded a license. 21 of which are national licenses and four are regional channels. 12 of the national channels are unique to digital radio and not broadcasted in FM. The licensing allows for a significant increase in range of programs throughout entire Sweden.

(Teracom) Read more


25 DAB+ commercial licences granted in Sweden
02.10.2014 - Sweden Sweden
Today, the Authority for Broadcasting in Sweden has granted six broadcasters 21 national and four local/regional licences to broadcast digital commercial radio. The licences will be valid from 2 October 2014 to 30 September 2022 with broadcasts to be started no later than 1 October 2015.

(Authority for Radio and Television) Read more


Swedish commercial radio CEO in favour of digitalisation
10.09.2014 - Sweden Sweden
In a recent article Staffan Rosell, CEO of Swedens largest commercial broadcaster SBS Radio, calls for more objective views on the switchover from FM to DAB+. In a segment in the “SR EKOT” radio programme to the Review Board, the switchover is reported to bring high costs with no or uncertain consumer benefits. "There is absolutely no evidence that the switchover from FM to DAB+ would cost hundreds of millions of crowns claimed in the article. Rather, distribution costs will be lower in the long term, and competition will be on equal terms when commercial radio can broadcast nationally," writes Rosell.

(Dagens Media) Read more


National Audit Office launches investigation on the replacement of FM radio
02.09.2014 - Sweden Sweden
National Audit Office has decided to initiate a review of the state's investment in digital radio to replace FM radio. The planned switch off date has been proposed for 2022.

Paneda extend their DAB expertise in Sweden (Norwegian press release)
12.08.2014 - Norway Norway - Sweden Sweden
DAB Tech AB have announced they are establishing Paneda Tech AB in Sweden with the recruitment of two DAB software engineers. "We are very pleased to have strengthened our DAB expertise with such a highly skilled and experienced team in Sweden...Including our Norwegian engineers and partners in Korea, the Paneda group now represents a DAB expertise second to none in Europe." - Geir Gjørsvik, CEO, Paneda DAB AS. Read the full press release in Norwegian.

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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 9.1 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 43%
Services: 52 DAB+, 1 Data
Line-fit automotive sales (cumulative): 793,000 devices
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 97%
Total Sales (cumulative): 1,209,000 devices
Last update: 26.02.2024

Useful Links

DABplus.se
Swedish Radio (public broadcaster)
Network operator - Teracom
The Swedish Press, Radio and Television Authority (MPRT)