Germany
Last update: 02-07-2018 - older versions
Germany now has 97% population coverage for DAB+ and a significant consumer-marketing effort is taking place. The website www.dabplus.de/ provides information on all available services, the latest marketing and receivers for home and on the move.
The take-up rate of new cars (German manufacturers) with DAB-radio (as standard and as an option) is 39.1% in 2017, (Source: DAT Report 2018, p. 8) up from 21% in 2016 and 14.4% in 2015. Audi is first vehicle manufacturer to implement hybrid radio. More info
German government support for digital radio
At its meeting on 29 June 2016 in Berlin, the German-French Radio Commission requested the German and the French Governments to ask EU Institutions to assist with EU-wide market development of digital radio, by making it mandatory for all new radio receivers sold to be equipped with DAB+.
The coalition government stated the new government “will continue to develop the regulations, regarding the interoperability in § 48 of the telecommunications law, in order to strengthen digital radio as a low-threshold medium. With the involvement of all stakeholders, we will develop actions, in order to further promote the digitisation of the radio.” On the EU Digital Europe strategy the contract states, “We are committed to the interoperability of digital radios also on the European level.” More info
Last update: 14-02-2018 - older versions
Digital radio is available in all metropolitan areas. The total coverage (combined coverage of ARD multiplexes and the national multiplex) is 97% of the population.
The 1st level road coverage of the national network is 12,700 km which is equal to 98%.
ARD multiplexes in particular cover 81.65% of the area and 89.5% of the population.
As of January 2017 the nationwide DAB+ network has 110 transmitters. In addition, 2017 plans the commissioning of additional stations to spread the national digital radio programmes. Media Broadcast has announced the further expansion of its network for the national digital radio offering in channel 5C. As announced by the service provider on May 8, the commissioning of further transmitter locations in the federal territory is planned in the coming weeks. This will further optimise the supply of the national offer in the DAB+ standard. The main focus of the project will be in rural areas in Baden-Württemberg (connected to the network on 20 April 2017), Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein. This creates further supply areas.
Detailed information on the network coverage can be found on www.digitalradio.de/empfang.
Map of the national multiplex which covers 95.5% of the area of Germany as of Dec 2016 (source Media Broadcast).
German Commercial Radio gains access to Hamburg Region via DAB+
While most regional and local commercial radio stations in southern Germany transmitted on FM, and were available via the internet, and had for at least several years been available on DAB+, commercial stations in the north part of Germany were not available via DAB+ at all. That geographical division is now being erased: Last September, RSH, the most popular station in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, started broadcasting via DAB+ in the Hamburg region. Source
Last update: 03-07-2018 - older versions
In this country there are
- National multiplex: 1 Regular
- Regional multiplexes: 26 Regular
- Local multiplexes: 4 Regular
In total, there are more than 150 radio stations which can be received digitally across the 16 German Bundeslaender: 11 national programmes, over 60 public stations distributed by ARD members, and around 80 commercial stations (regional or local). The majority of radio programmes are equipped with accompanying data services including at least Dynamic Label Segment or DL+ and Slideshow. See Slideshow on air. In particular, all public ARD radio brands are broadcast with additional services accompanying the live audio service: Now-next information (DLS/DL+), Programme previews (EPG), Weather and traffic charts, news headlines, track/title-cover (slideshow/categorised slideshow), Future mobility service (TPEG), and Hybrid EPGs and Slideshows (RadioVIS and RadioEPG). Download a presentation on Slideshow in Germany.
National programme offers
Nine commercial radio services as well as three radio programmes from the national public broadcaster Deutschlandradio are broadcast on the national multiplex, which is operated by Media Broadcast. Pop, rock, electronic, and classical music are available as well as spoken word content, debates and Christian, culture radio, and national league football content. This combines an attractive selection of both mainstream and niche content.
Regulation for a second national multiplex is pending.
Regional programme offers
More than 60 radio programmes provided by the nine ARD-broadcasters are available. The majority of those are ARD’s well-known FM-brands as well as 17 new digital-only stations with a terrestrial provision exclusively via DAB+ such as NDR Blue, WDR KiRaKa, BR PULS, or MDR Klassik. All ARD programmes are equipped with an ARD-wide identical (and mandatory) set of data services to accompany the live audio service.
In addition, around 80 commercial services are provided via regional or local multiplexes operated by Media Broadcast.
Second national multiplex
A court ruling has stopped the launch of the second national multiplex, and its launch has been postponed. The losing bidders are currently considering next steps.
1st national multiplex
The nationwide DAB+ network was extended by around 50 transmitters with a completion date of 2016. In June 2017, there were 117 transmitters broadcasting. Germany is now developing a DSO strategy. Now, with the first national mux, 96% of all people are covered (June 2017).
Baden-Württemberg Population: 10.7 million Total coverage: 92.7 % Two networks, one mixed multiplex for public and commercial programmes, the second with public programmes. By end of 2014 the mixed multiplex will be extended by adding nine commercial radio programmes, alongside the further network development to increase the coverage of both multiplexes. |
Bayern Population: 12.0 million Total coverage: 96.0% Two networks, one for public programmes, the second for commercial programmes. Additional local networks are available in the major Bavarian cities such as Munich, Nürnberg, Ingolstadt and Augsburg. Together with the national multiplex up to 49 radio programmes are available in some regions. |
Berlin Population: 3.5 million Total coverage: 100% Two networks, one for public programmes, the second for both public and commercial programmes, are fully covering Berlin and the surrounding area. |
Brandenburg Population: 2.5 million Total coverage: 69.9% Brandenburg is currently just covered by the multiplexes which are being broadcast in Berlin. The majority of Brandenburgian people are living in the wider area around Berlin. The network expansion in the rural areas of Brandenburg is under consideration. |
Bremen Population: 0.7 million Total coverage: 92.3% The Bremen area is covered by three multiplexes. The most important one provides the Radio Bremen programmes (Bremen Eins, Bremen Vier, Nordwestradio) as well as co-operated programmes such as Funkhaus Europa, WDR KiRaKa. Unique DAB-content is available on the service called Bremen Next. |
Hamburg Population: 1.8 million Total coverage: 100% There is one multiplex for public programmes, operated by NDR, which fully covers the area around Hamburg. |
Hessen Population: 6 million Total coverage: 93.2% There are two networks, one for public radio programmes and the second for commercial programmes, covering the metropolitan area around Frankfurt and Wiesbaden. The public broadcaster mux covers rural areas as well as the important transit routes in northern Hesse. |
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Population: 1.6 million Total coverage: 20.3% There is one multiplex for public programmes, operated by NDR, which covers the metropolitan area around the capital Schwerin. |
Niedersachsen Population: 7.9 million Total coverage: 83.5% One multiplex for public programmes, operated by NDR, which covers the main transit routes as well as high-populated and rural areas. |
Nordrhein-Westfalen Population: 17.8 million Total coverage: 97.1% One mixed multiplex for public and commercial programmes, operated by WDR, which covers the most populated federal state in Germany, including the so called Ruhr region. |
Rheinland-Pfalz Population: 4.0 million Total coverage: 89.3% One mixed multiplex for public and commercial programmes covers the metropolitan area in the Rhein-Main region as well as rural areas and the important transit routes. |
Saarland Population: 1.0 million Total coverage: 98.2% One mixed multiplex for public and commercial programmes reaches nearly full coverage of Germany‘s smallest area state. |
Sachsen Population: 4.2 million Total coverage: 98.4% There is one mixed multiplex for public and commercial programmes, which has been on air before the DAB+ digital radio launch in 2011. This mixed multiplex covers the majority of Saxony. In addition, public broadcaster MDR has established new networks in the metropolitan areas of Saxony. |
Sachsen-Anhalt Population: 2.3 million Total coverage: 95.7% There is one mixed multiplex for both public and commercial programmes, which was already on air before the digital radio launch in 2011 and covers the majority of Saxony-Anhalt. In addition, public broadcaster MDR has established new networks in the metropolitan areas of Saxony-Anhalt. |
Schleswig-Holstein Population: 2.8 million Total coverage: 75.0 % There is one multiplex for public programmes, operated by NDR, covers the main transit routes as well as the capital Kiel. |
Thüringen Population: 2.2 million Total coverage: 88.3% There is one mixed multiplex for public and commercial programmes, which has already been on air before the DAB+ digital radio launch in 2011 and covers the majority of Thuringia. In addition public broadcaster MDR has established new networks in the metropolitan areas of Thuringia. |
Simulcast on AM / FM | Exclusive on digital | Total of services | |
---|---|---|---|
DAB+ programmes | 110 | 40 | 150 |
Last update: 31-01-2018 - older versions
The German government recommends DAB+ as the platform for the delivery of safety relevant traffic data. All German car manufacturers provide DAB+ dealer fit solutions and they are working on the integration of additional data services for in-car usage such as Slideshow or EPG for in-car and TPEG in particular. Various aftermarket solutions are available to allow digital radio reception in car.
DAB+ as standard
In Germany, DAB radio is available in 80% of new cars – primarily as an option.
Take-up rate
The following statistics are from VDA's DAT automotive report 2018
- take-up rate of new cars (German manufacturers) with DAB-radio (as standard and as an option): 39.1% in 2017, (Source: DAT Report 2018, p. 8) up from 21% in 2016 and 14.4% in 2015.
TPEG
Two commercial service providers (Garmin and Mediamobile) have been broadcasting traffic and travel information using the TPEG standard via the national DAB+ multiplex since 2013. In addition, the public service ARD-TPEG-service is broadcast by several regional ARD-multiplexes, fulfilling the European Commission ITS directive requiring European Union member states to provide drivers with free safety related traffic information.
Last update: 10-09-2018 - older versions
European Parliament calls for European interoperability standard for digital radio
GfK sales figures indicate continuously a significant growth of the market: up 21% in 2016 and up 37% in 2014 in comparison with the previous years. The number of devices available on the market has grown from 120 devices in 2011 to more than 400 by mid-2015 with manufacturers offering products at all price points and starting with less than 20 Euros. As of August 2017, there are more than 45 manufacturers selling DAB+ radios in Germany.
German Government will mandate Digital Interface in most radios
Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi) is working to promote digital radio services by mandating certain features in new radios. The Action Plan for the Transformation of Radio Broadcasting in the Digital Age Roadmap - Progress Report for the Digital Radio Board / Bill of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy - Fourth Law amending the Telecommunications Act (English translation) suggests that high-quality radio receivers may only be sold if they are suitable for the reception of standards-appropriate digital signals. According to the bill, devices which are “primarily intended for the reception of sound broadcasting and which are capable of displaying program names must be provided with at least one interface, according to the recognised rules of technology, which allows the user to receive and reproduce digitally encoded contents." Whether that interface is DAB+, LAN or WLAN does not matter, according to the same article.
Read the BMWi press release
Market Research
- Radio ratings with DAB+ were available for the first time in Autumn 2016
- 17% of all German households have DAB+ in 2018
- In Bavaria, 23.8% of households own a DAB+ digital radio in 2018 Source (page 142)
- In Bavaria, DAB has overtaken internet radio for adults 14+, and is growing over 8 times faster; DAB+ skews slightly younger than FM; FM is in decline Source
- At least every 20th car radio operates on DAB+
A comprehensive list of DAB+ receivers available in Germany can be found at: www.dabplus.de/geraete/
Initiative Digital Radio Deutschland Product Finder
Overview list of the digital radio receivers available on the German market
Digitisation Report 2018 carried out by TNS Infratest (which includes the Infratest figures (12.72 million receivers in German households) presented during IFA 2018 (German)
Last update: 22-02-2018 - older versions
Key features of regulation for digital radio in Germany are:
- DAB+ was selected to secure the future of digital radio in Germany in 2009
- Licences on the national multiplex were awarded on a beauty contest basis
- Digital radio services are broadcast on Band III (Channels 5 – 12)
- Due to the federal structure of Germany, spectrum is assigned on both regional and national basis
- There are two types of licences:
- Telecommunication licence, awarded from the National Federal Network Agency (BnetzA) to the network operator to run the network
- Media licence, awarded from the media authority of the Bundesländer to the broadcasters
- Media licences are assigned on state (Länder) level by the 16 media authorities (Medienanstalten)
- In terms of the national multiplex, one of these media authorities was in charge of the allocation of the licences
- There is ongoing regulatory discussion to renew FM licences only when broadcasting also via DAB+
Digitisation Report 2017 carried out by TNS Infratest
Download the Digitisation Report 2017 carried out by TNS Infratest (German) (English).
KEF Funding for public broadcasters
In February 2018 the Commission for the Determination of the Financial Requirements of the Public Service Broadcasters (KEF) confirmed that the ARD and Deutschlandradio will receive €163 million of funding until 2020 to develop DAB+ services in Germany.
German Ministry for Digital Infrastructure: DAB+ broadcast is the successor to FM
With its first meeting in June 2015, the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) is the host of a high-level Digital Radio Board for Germany which has the task to create the framework for a roadmap regarding a smooth transition from FM to DAB+ as soon as possible considering that the switch from analogue to digital radio in Germany is necessary and inevitable.
The Digital Radio Board currently comprises 15 high-level representatives of BMVI and federal states, ARD, Deutschlandradio, commercial broadcasters, regional media authorities, radio set and car manufacturers and the federal network agency.
By common accord between its members, the board is heading to create a specific timetable within a year's time for the switch from the analogue to digital terrestrial radio.
Read the BMVI press release.
The Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate has announced support for an initiative outlining that all radio devices should have digital capability. This can be seen as a very important initiative for the development of digital radio in Germany and across the rest of Europe. http://ow.ly/5ihn303Ilcm
Useful Documents
Fact-sheet by ARD-Generalsekretatiat Dr. Susanne Pfab
Statement by the head of production- and technology (PTKO) Dr. Ulrich Liebenow
German Minister Dorothee Bär published in February 2017 the Digital Radio Action Plan on the BMVI (Federal Ministry of Traffic and Transport) website: http://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/DE/Artikel/DG/aktionsplan-digitalradio.html.
The plan was passed by a majority of the Board, with the exception of VPRT (one of the two associations which represent private broadcasters) who opposed the plan and have now left the Board. Nonetheless, the rollout of the plan will continue and the remaining partners on the Board are now obliged to follow the eight measures written in the roadmap. There will now be a series of discussions with the individual states (Länder), led by Rhineland-Palatinate (Heike Raab) and BMVI (Dorothee Bär). The Digital Radio Board is headed by State Secretary Bär and includes representatives from the individual states, broadcasters, the federal network agency and industry.
The plan is available in English here.
Last update: 08-02-2019 - older versions
Campaigns
Summer 2018
A new German multimedia campaign promoting DAB+ will launch on 27 August, with the slogan "DAB+. Mehr Radio" (DAB+, More Radio) to be branded across TV, radio, print and online. On 30 August, an "Editorial Theme Day" will be held at IFA Berlin by German broadcaster ARD and other commercial radio stations to discuss the benefits of DAB+. The initiative is a collaboration between German broadcaster ARD and other commercial radio stations, as part of a nationwide rebrand of DAB+.
Christmas 2017
Christmas promotion "Give a DAB + Radio" Starting November 27th, in the four weeks leading up to Christmas, radio and TV spots will once again be broadcasting spots and actions about the DAB + listening experience at ARD, Deutschlandradio, private radio stations and other partners.
May 2017
ARD and Deutschlandradio started a cross-media nationwide marketing campaign for DAB+ radio from 2 May 2017. The campaign will include radio, television and internet, as well as images for print and online use. DAB+ has also received an eye-catching new logo, with which broadcasters, manufacturers and retailers can promote the new radio standard.
Examples of the implementation of new DAB+ logo can be viewed here: http://www.digitalradio.de/index.php/de/haendlerbereich. Download the Press Release.
Under the motto "As clear as if I were there", the ARD has a nationwide marketing campaign for DAB+ together with Deutschlandradio and other partners. This includes TV commercials as well as on numerous online channels. In the ARD, with Deutschlandradio and private broadcasters are broadcasting various radio adspots. In addition, there are print and online motifs on the new website www.dabplus.de.
Last update: 05-08-2016 - older versions
ARD is investigating the possibility of supporting emergency warning announcements (EWS) via DAB+ to improve the provision of safety relevant information to the listener in situations of acute danger such as industrial plant incidents or severe weather warnings, both in the home and in vehicle.
In preparation for the introduction of an EMF (Emergency Warning Functionality) channel for the Free State of Bavaria, DAB+ multiplex operator Bayern Digital Radio GmbH is planning an information channel on DAB+.
The duration of the pilot project is initially limited to the period from September to December 2016. After successful implementation, it will be possible to establish the information channel as a permanent service on Bayern Digital Radio's DAB+ multiplex in Bavaria. Source
All radio stations in Bavaria soon to be digital
15.02.2019 - Germany -
DAB+ popularity on the rise despite growth of streaming services and internet radio
14.02.2019 - Germany -
DAB+ offers the best digital listening experience
13.02.2019 - Germany -
Sangean launches two new radios
24.01.2019 - Germany -
Sonoro named brand of the year at Plus X awards
24.01.2019 - Germany -
EU regulation in spotlight at Brussels Motor Show
21.01.2019 - Germany -
EECC in spotlight at Brussels Motor Show
21.01.2019 - Germany -
Brussels Motor Show shines light on EECC directive
18.01.2019 - Germany -
Technisat collaborates with designer Jette Joop to release new designer DAB+ radios
15.01.2019 - Germany -
DAB+ expands in Germany and Austria
14.01.2019 - Austria -

Key Information
Status: | regular |
Population: | 81.6 million |
Population coverage: | |
Services: | 150 DAB+ |
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: | |
Total Sales (cumulative): | 11,835,000 devices |
Penetration by household: | |
Penetration by population: | |
Last update: 30.10.2018
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Useful Links
Intelligent transport systems Action Plan and DirectivePreliminary Presentation on Digital Radio in 2014 at IFA Berlin Sept 2014
Digitisation Report 2017 carried out by TNS Infratest
digitalradio.de
Bill of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy - Fourth Law amending the Telecommunications Act
The Action Plan for the Transformation of Radio Broadcasting in the Digital Age Roadmap - Progress Report for the Digital Radio Board
dabplus.de