WorldDAB Summit 2025

20 November 2025

Antwerp, Belgium
Organised by WorldDAB

WorldDAB Summit 2025

20 November 2025 09:00-15:30 (CET)
Location: Antwerp, Belgium

DAB+ is powering the business of broadcast

WorldDAB Summit 2025 took place on 20 November 2025 at DPG Media, Antwerp. An annual gathering of broadcasters, network operators, automotive innovators, receiver and equipment manufacturers, and creative leaders from across the globe. The programme was packed with insight, innovation, and future-focused debate. We are proud to provide a place where the radio industry comes together, in a trusted space to unite companies, countries, and both public service and commercial broadcasters.

“DAB+ continues to prove itself as the backbone of radio’s digital future – delivering innovation, resilience and growth across every market. At WorldDAB Summit 2025, we’ll bring the global community together to share progress, challenges and the exciting opportunities ahead.”
Jacqueline Bierhorst, President, WorldDAB

 Programme highlights

  • Keynote sessions from leading broadcasters, automotive brands and technical experts
  • Global updates on DAB+ expansion
  • Panel discussions on content innovation, connected cars, and market expansion 

WorldDAB Summit is produced as an in-person event, bringing together members and provideds significant networking opportunities. 

The sessions from WorldDAB Summit have been recorded and the videos are available on our YouTube channel soon. 

 

 Session videos on YouTube

 

Sign up to our Events mailing list to be notified when videos are published.


 

Lunch sponsor

Post-event video sponsor

Networking drinks sponsor

Coffee break sponsor

Delegate bag sponsor

Lanyard sponsor

Itel

 

Exhibitors

Itel

 

 

 

Venues:

WorldDAB Summit 2025 venue: DPG Media, Mediaplein 1, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium

WorldDAB Gala dinner venue: Horta Art Nouveau Hall


Parking near the Horta Art Nouveau Hall

The following car parks are located around Horta (+/- 50 m away) and are open (opening
hours subject to change):

  • Parking Horta : Lange Gang (open from 07:00 – 02:00 - to be left 00/24)
  • Parking Hopland : Hopland 40 (from 07:00 open until 02:00 - to leave 00/24)
  • Parking Stadsschouwburg : Meistraat 4 (open from 07:00 to 02:00 - to leave 00/24)
  • Parking Inno : Hopland 45 (open from 07:00 to 22:00 - to leave 00/24)

Parking near DPG Media

The closest car park to the venue is:

Interparking Antwerpen
Parking Centraal
Van Immerseelstraat 2
2222 Antwerpen

It is recommended to book at least 2 hours ahead of your arrival as it works out cheaper - Car park Centraal in Antwerp | Interparking


Accommodation:

Antwerp has a large selection of hotels within walking distance of both venues to suit all budgets. 

Below are the google map links to hotel located near to each venue.

Suggested hotels: 

 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Moderator

Ben Roelants
Freelance TV presenter, reporter and producer

Ben Roelants is a Belgian TV presenter, reporter, and producer known for his engaging storytelling and natural, authentic style on screen. With more than 15 years of experience across national and regional broadcasters, he has hosted travel, lifestyle, and business programmes in Europe and beyond. Ben combines journalistic curiosity with warmth and humour, creating a strong connection with both guests and audiences. As founder of the production company Alain Provist, he develops high-quality branded content and documentaries for major brands and broadcasters.


A

Eric Adelbrecht
Chief Executive Officer, maRadio.be SC

Eric Adelbrecht, based in Brussels, BE, is Chief Executive Officer at maRadio.be SCRL. Active in the radio world since 1988, Eric has extensive experience in international management, having previously been the managing director of NRJ Belgium, and then the managing director of RTL radios in Belgium before taking on his role in maRadio.be since 2019.

Steve Areba
Chief Executive Office
BSI


B

Jacqueline Bierhorst
President, WorldDAB, and Project Director, Digital Radio NL

Jacqueline Bierhorst has been a pioneer in commercial radio since 1987, specialised in distribution, marketing, and content. She has a strong track record in launching and leading successful commercial television and radio channels in The Netherlands and Belgium. From 2011 until 2015 she was project leader on the roll out of the DAB+ network in The Netherlands and since 2015 she is project director Digital Radio NL, a collaboration between public and commercial broadcasters and the Ministry of Economic Affairs coordinating involvement of all stakeholders and joint marketing of Digital Radio. Bierhorst is owner of Jacky B Entertainment Solutions, President of WorldDAB, a member of the WorldDAB Steering Board and an active ambassador of digital radio throughout Europe. She is also a consultant to the Flemish Government, Department of Culture, Youth and Media for the introduction of DAB+ in Flanders, initiating collaboration throughout the Flemish stakeholders on digital radio and country manager Radioplayer Netherlands. 

Charles-Emmanuel Bon
Secretary General, Radio France

Charles-Emmanuel is Secretary General of Radio France. He is a member of the Executive Board and is responsible for strategic and cross-company projects, distribution, internal and external governance and public and international affairs. Prior to joining Radio France in 2023, he was Director of Operations and Information Technology at Lagardère News. Charles-Emmanuel has an extensive experience of radio. A member of the executive committee of Lagardère News, his scope of responsibility covered radio and press technologies, Europe 1 operations and public affairs. Previously, he held various positions at RTL Group in Luxembourg and France. In particular, he managed RTL Net, the Internet subsidiary of RTL and was in charge of Development and Technologies for the Radio division of Groupe M6. Prior to joining RTL Group, he was a project manager in the Media practice at Booz Allen Hamilton, a strategy consultancy. He is a graduate of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, ESSEC and the University of Cergy Pontoise.

Katerina Borovska-Mascia
Senior Manager for Marketing & Innovation in the Audio Department, egta

Katerina Borovska-Mascia is Senior Manager for Marketing & Innovation in the audio department at egta, the international trade association representing over 180 TV and audio companies across 40+ markets. She helps audio publishers grow their business through marketing, research and business development strategies, while coordinating international conferences, trainings and initiatives such as World Radio Day. Katerina also drives egta’s research and communications, equipping broadcasters and sales houses with insights on innovation, audience engagement and advertising trends, and strengthening audio’s role in the media landscape.


C

George Cernat
Senior Director, Automotive Connected Media, Xperi

George leads global broadcaster integrations into the DTS AutoStage platform and serves as the industry’s voice within the product team at Xperi. With a focus on innovation and sustainable collaboration, George helps shape the future of digital and connected radio experiences in the car.


D

Michael Dujardin
Channel Director Qmusic and Member of the Board of Digitale Radio Vlaanderen

Michael Dujardin is a Belgian media and entertainment professional with experience across television, festivals and radio. He began at TMF and later at JIM, both music television channels for young audiences. He then became Head of Marketing & Communication for what is now DPG Media, contributing to the growth of several major media brands. Afterwards, he joined Tomorrowland as Head of Marketing & Media, coordinating global communication, content and media partnerships. Today, Michael is back at DPG Media with Qmusic, focusing on warm storytelling and meaningful listener experiences. Privately, he loves travelling: discovering new places and cultures remains his greatest passion.


 

F

Laura Fisher 
Audio and Entertainment Analyst, MIDiA Research

Laura is an audio and entertainment analyst at MIDiA Research, where she deciphers global trends shaping the future of music and audio, as well as the interconnectivity of the entertainment industry. Her research provides data-driven insights into the evolution of audio consumption, the resilience of radio, and the impact of new technologies. A frequent industry speaker, Laura translates MIDiA's flagship research into compelling narratives on the changing role of audio worldwide.

Gérard Floener
Head of Digital Development Radio, RTL Luxembourg

Gérard Floener is a media professional whose passion for radio began in childhood. He launched his career on local pirate stations before transitioning to legal broadcasting, first joining Eldoradio and then RTL in 1997. For two decades, he served as Head of Music at RTL and now oversees the station's digital development. With a deep interest in technology, Gérard continuously seeks innovative ways to improve both his work and the listener experience. The planned launch of DAB+ in Luxembourg in December 2025 marks the next chapter in that evolution.


G

 

Tomas Granryd
Head of digital partnerships, Swedish Radio


Tomas Granryd has been working for Swedish Radio for more than 20 years, holding various positions such as hosting, producing, and commissioning radio. For the last 5 years, he has been the head of digital partnerships, leading the work around the presence of Radio and Swedish Radio in connected cars. Tomas is also the Vice Chair of the Digital Committee at the EBU.

Hervé Godechot
Journalist (ex-Board Member, Arcom)

Journalist, Hervé Godechot joined the CSA in February 2019. A graduate of the Tours School of Journalism, he became a journalist and reporter for the regional stations of France 3 in Rennes, Nancy, Le Mans and for the France Outre-Mer network (1988-1994). He then joined the national editorial staff of France 3 as a reporter, then a senior reporter in the General Information department, then in the Economy and Social department from 1995. He was head of the Economy and Social department at France 3 (2000-2006), before be appointed editor-in-chief of the national editions of the television news, 12/13 and 19/20 (2006-2016). From 2016, he became editor-in-chief of the Economy and Social service common to France 2 and France 3, editorialist and columnist for France 3 and France Info TV, on which he also presents Eco Week. Since January 2019, Hervé Godechot has been editor-in-chief of special operations and columnist on France Info TV. Hervé Godechot previously chaired the Arcom “Radios and digital audio” working group. He was also vice-president of the “Publishing and distribution of on-demand television and audiovisual media services” working group.


H

Laurence Harrison
Chief Partnerships Officer, Radioplayer

Laurence has over 25 years experience working in the radio and technology sectors and leads on building and managing Radioplayer’s partnerships with the automotive industry. He works closely with Radioplayer’s car manufacturer partners on the radio user experience in connected cars and manages the partnerships including CARIAD, BMW Group, Renault and NIO who between them have over 4 Million cars on the road today powered by Radioplayer. He is also a current Board member of both RadioDNS and WorldDAB.

He previously worked for Digital Radio UK where he led the partnerships with car manufacturers that saw DAB digital radio included as standard in all new cars. Before that he was a Director at techUK representing the UK technology sector in areas such as environmental policy, healthcare and consumer technology, and was a Board Director at Digital UK, the organisation that managed the UK’s digital TV switchover.

Harald Hoffend
Chief Technology Officer, Funkhaus Regensburg

Harald Hoffend holds a degree in Communications Engineering (FH) and has been Technical Director at Funkhaus Regensburg in Germany since 1997. After gaining practical experience in a recording studio and at IRT, his thesis focused on digital audio and AI Solutions for radio. He oversees the stations charivari and gong fm in Regensburg as well as radio in, Radio Galaxy Ingolstadt and Oldiewelle in Ingolstadt. Pilot projects on DMB and DAB+ regionalization shaped his career. Today, he heads Funkhaus Technik Bayern, supply 18 DAB+ programs, and has developed AI solutions for traffic, warnings, and safety since 2019. Since 2024, he has chaired the APR Technical Working Group.


J

Alexander Jahn
Operations Manager, Bayern Digital Radio

Alexander Jahn was born in Vienna and studied Information and Media Technology in Salzburg. He began his career in 2006 with the pay-TV broadcaster Premiere (now Sky) in Munich before joining Bayern Digital Radio, a regional DAB network operator and project office, as Operations Manager. For more than 15 years, he has been dedicated to transforming the former pilot project “DAB” into a reliable operational service. His work focuses on process- and quality management as well as the ongoing technical advancement of the system, often in close collaboration with Fraunhofer IIS in Erlangen.


O

Veit Olischläger
Head of Technology, Media Management and Public Relations, Bavarian regulatory authority for new media (BLM)

Veit Olischläger has been Head of Technology, Media Management and Public Relations at the Bavarian regulatory authority for new media (BLM) since 2020. His area of responsibility includes the technical development of radio and tv services in Bavaria as well as research, financial Topics, communication and platform regulation.

Communicating broadcasting innovations was a focus of his previous business activities. He advised nationally and internationally on issues relating to the introduction and communication of new broadcasting technologies.

Veit Olischläger headed several project offices for the transition to DVB-T/T2 and DVB-S on behalf of ARD, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, Vaunet and ZDF.


P

Raj Parmar
Director of Sunrise Radio (Yorkshire)

Raj Parmar, Director of Sunrise Radio (Yorkshire), has built a dynamic career in media, broadcasting, and community leadership. A broadcaster since the age of 13, he has been instrumental in advancing small-scale DAB across key towns and cities throughout the UK. Under his leadership, Sunrise Radio has modernised its output, expanded its digital footprint, and launched Sunrise Radio Gold on DAB+, a second service catering to nostalgic listeners. His work blends creativity, entrepreneurship, and community service, making him a leading voice in British Asian media and culture and a driving force in digital broadcasting innovation.

 

Usha Parmar
Chief Executive, Sunrise Radio (Yorkshire)

Usha Parmar, Chief Executive of Sunrise Radio (Yorkshire), is a pioneering broadcaster, business leader, and advocate for British Asian communities. A former teacher and technology project manager, she transformed Sunrise Radio from a struggling station into a respected, award-winning media platform. Under her guidance, the station became a driving force for digital innovation and community engagement, including championing Small Scale DAB (SSDAB) across the UK. Recognised with multiple national honours and a 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, Usha continues to inspire through her vision, integrity, and commitment to empowering others through media and social progress.

Nick Piggott
Project Director, RadioDNS and Vice President, WorldDAB

Nick has spent the majority of his career working in the radio industry, initially in programming and then moving to digital radio and online innovation. He is one of the founders of RadioDNS Hybrid Radio, the open technology project that lets broadcast radio and IP work together, combining the power of broadcasting to reach many people and the power of the internet to deliver enhanced or personalised content.

Gregor Pötzsch
Product Owner, Radio, CARIAD, Volkswagen and Chair, WorldDAB UX Group

Gregor is a digital radio native as Product Owner CARIAD entertainment, smart functions and gaming dev team. He is driving the Digital Radio Entertainment Future CARIAD for Volkswagen Group. Together with WorldDAB, RadioDNS and Radioplayer he connects the Broadcast Community with the Automotive World. 


 S

Javier Sánchez Pérez
Director of Audiovisual Policy and Public Service, Radio Televisión Española (RTVE)

Javier Sánchez is a senior Telecommunications Engineer and is the Director of Audiovisual Policy and Public Service at RTVE. He joined RTVE in 2008 and was appointed Head of Technical Planning of RNE (2008-2014), managing all its spectrum licenses and dealing with technical & legal aspects. After, he was appointed Head of European Spectrum Strategy at RTVE (2014-2015) and Head of Strategy at RTVE Innovation Center (2015-2025). He is currently member of EBU Radio Committee (2025-2027) and also was elected in two previous mandates (2019-2021 and 2021-2023). Javier was elected as a Steering Board member of WorldDAB in November 2023.

Christoph Schick
Chief Digital Officer, SUNSHINE LIVE

As Senior Digital Director at SUNSHINE LIVE, Christoph drives the digital evolution of one of Europe’s established media brands—focused on user-centric product design, intuitive experiences and the strategic development of future subscription models. With 25+ years across tech, media and platform development, he has shaped multi-device services at Docplanner/Jameda, jazzed, Klassik Radio, JUKE and Nokia Music, leading complex rollouts and cross-functional product teams. With a background as a musician, he blends creative thinking with technical leadership to build digital products that genuinely meet user needs.


Maëlo Seuret
Managing Director, Ensemble pour le DAB+

Maëlo Seuret is the Managing Director of Ensemble pour le DAB+, the national association uniting France’s public, private, and community radio broadcasters to promote DAB+ digital radio. He holds a master’s degree in Public Business Law and Political Science. Before joining Ensemble pour le DAB+, he served as a parliamentary assistant to a member of the French National Assembly, where he focused on issues related to technology regulation and media policy.


 V

Priit Vare
Head Of Radio, Duo Media Networks

Experienced program and content director with a demonstrated history of working in media production.

He has a master's degree in journalism from the University of Tartu. Has worked in various radio stations since 1994. For many years, he worked as a program director of Estonia's radio group, Sky Media.

Since 2020, he has been working in the position of head of radio at Duo Media Networks. Duo Media Networks is the largest and fast-growing media company in the Baltics, with a portfolio of fifteen TV channels in the Baltics and the Middle East and fourteen radio stations in Estonia.


W

Jonathan Wall
Director, BBC Sounds

Growing BBC Sounds is one of the BBC’s key priorities. As Director of BBC Sounds, Jonathan has responsibility for co-ordinating activity across the organisation to achieve the BBC’s ambitions, developing the strategy for Sounds as well as having an overview of the content that is being commissioned for BBC Sounds by the radio, music and podcast teams.

Jonathan Wall was previously Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra where he led on the editorial content, leadership and overall management of the stations since 2013.

Jonathan began his career at Radio Humberside before moving into BBC Sport. He later became Editor of 5 Live Sport where he was responsible for overseeing flagship output such as the Olympics, Wimbledon, and the football World Cup before being appointed Deputy Controller and Commissioning Editor, Radio 5 Live, in July 2008.


Z

Mr Carsten Zorger
Director, Digitalradio Büro Deutschland

Carsten is the Director of the German DAB+ digital radio marketing body - Digitalradio Büro Deutschland which oversees the marketing and promotion of DAB+ digital radio in Germany. Prior to this, he was head of marketing and communications at the German national radio broadcaster, Deutschlandradio. Previously, he was head of public relations at the Berlin-Brandenburg branch of ADAC, the German automobile association. He was responsible for corporate communications at ISP Strato AG, one of the world's largest web-hosting companies. He has extensive experience in the radio industry, having been chief editor and director of audio and internet at SWR3 Börsenman and managing editor at BLR in Bavaria.

REGISTRATION FOR THE TOUR IS NOW CLOSED


 

Guided Tour of Museum Aan de Stroom (MAS) – Antwerp

Wednesday, 19 November | Limited to 60 participants | REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Delegates are invited to join a guided visit to the Museum Aan de Stroom (MAS) in Antwerp. This tour is open to all participants, including both members and non-members.

Places are limited to 60 and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Programme details:

  • Departure: Coaches will depart promptly from the DPG Media building at 15:00 CET. Please ensure timely arrival.

  • Tour: The visit will consist of a 90-minute guided tour of the museum.

  • Return: 17:00 - Coaches will return delegates to Antwerp Central Station following the visit.

  • Optional extension:
    Delegates who wish to continue their visit after the guided tour may explore the MAS boulevard and panoramic viewing platform, offering exceptional views of Antwerp. These areas remain open until 22:00 CET. Please note that this activity is not part of the official programme, and participants will need to make their own travel arrangements for the return journey.

 Registration is now CLOSED. 

Sightseeing in Antwerp

Antwerp offers a wealth of cultural landmarks and historic sites that reflect its role as a center of commerce, art, and innovation for more than five centuries. The following venues provide insight into the city’s artistic heritage, architectural achievements, and social history.

Museum Plantin-Moretus
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this museum preserves the former residence and printing workshop of the Plantin-Moretus family. Visitors can explore the world’s oldest surviving printing presses, an exceptional library of rare books and manuscripts, and interiors representative of 16th- and 17th-century Antwerp.

Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA)
Recently reopened after extensive renovation, the KMSKA houses one of the most significant collections of Flemish and European art. Highlights include works by Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and James Ensor, as well as notable examples of modern and contemporary art.

Rubenshuis
The former home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens provides a direct connection to the life and work of Antwerp’s most renowned Baroque painter. The museum features Rubens’ own paintings, works by his contemporaries, and period furnishings within a restored 17th-century residence and garden.

Red Star Line Museum
This museum documents the stories of emigrants who departed from Antwerp to North America between 1873 and 1934 aboard the Red Star Line. Through personal testimonies, archival materials, and interactive displays, visitors gain insight into the social and cultural history of transatlantic migration.

Cathedral of Our Lady (De Kathedraal)
A guided visit to Antwerp’s Gothic cathedral offers an opportunity to view several major works by Rubens, including The Descent from the Cross. The cathedral’s architecture and artworks reflect the city’s religious and artistic traditions from the Middle Ages to the present day.

City walking tours
Organized walking tours provide an in-depth introduction to Antwerp’s historic center. Led by experienced guides, these tours highlight the city’s medieval street plan, merchant houses, and architectural landmarks, offering context on Antwerp’s development as a major European port and cultural hub.

November 19th
12:00 - 13:00 Networking lunch (MEMBERS ONLY)
13:00 - 14:30 General Assembly (MEMBERS ONLY) - ONLINE
13:00 - 14:30 General Assembly (MEMBERS ONLY) - IN-PERSON
19:00 - 22:30 Gala Dinner - Horta Art Nouveau Hall (MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS) - 19:00: Networking drinks / 19:30 Dinner
November 20th
09:00 - 15:30 WorldDAB SUMMIT 2025 (MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS)
November 19th, 15:00-22:30 CET / 15:00-22:30 CET
15:00 - 17:00 Optional Tour
19:00 - 22:30 Gala dinner
November 20th, 09:00-15:30 CET / 09:00-15:30 CET
09:00 - 09:30 Registration
09:30 - 10:30 Session 1


KEYNOTE: WorldDAB President 
Opening WorldDAB Summit 2025, Jacqueline Bierhorst will reflect on her first term as WorldDAB President, with new DAB+ trials and launches around the world. She will explore how DAB+ powers the business of broadcast, delivering success for public and private operators and broadcasters; and how it can bring security in uncertain times through innovations such as the Automatic Safety Alert system.

Speaker: Jacqueline Bierhorst, President, WorldDAB

 

DAB+ powering public value

The BBC has launched its first ever DAB+ music stations, marking a significant milestone in the history of BBC Radio. Radio 1 Anthems, Radio 1 Dance and Radio 3 Unwind are now available to listen to on DAB+, offering listeners more choice, particularly those previously underrepresented in the BBC’s offering. Radio France has announced the launch of ‘Mon Petit France Inter’, a new public service radio station designed for children. The digital radio station will launch on DAB+ soon, and will offer editorial and musical programming throughout the day, without the need for a screen.

Speakers: Jonathan Wall, Director of BBC Sounds and Charles-Emmanuel Bon, Secretary General, Radio France, in conversation with Hervé Godechot, Journalist (ex-Board Member, Arcom)

 

AI in radio: How to use AI and retain humanity

In an automated world, authentic human connection becomes a scarce and increasingly valuable commodity. The industry's pivot to AI must therefore be one of reinforcement, not replacement. 

Speaker: Laura Fisher, Entertainment Analyst, MiDIA Research

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 - 12:00 Session 2


SUNSHINE LIVE: a leading DAB+ growth story

SUNSHINE LIVE ranks among Germany’s fastest-growing stations, gaining listeners through DAB+. Petra Lemcke shares the success story, proving how digital radio drives reach, revenue, and fresh opportunities for broadcasters.

Speaker: Christoph Schick, Chief Digital Officer, SUNSHINE LIVE

Spain builds momentum in DAB+ deployment

RTVE’s national commitment and strong regional engagement are driving Spain’s DAB+ rollout positioning Spain within Europe’s DAB+ digital radio landscape.

Speaker: Javier Sánchez Pérez, Director of Audiovisual Policy and Public Service, Radio Televisión Española (RTVE)

Kenya

Updates on the landscape of Keyna and their journey to DAB+.
In conversation with Bernie O’Neill, Project Director, WorldDAB

Speaker: Steve Areba, CEO, Broadcast Systems International, Kenya

Estonia

Discover how Estonia moved from trials, to a full launch of DAB+ in September 2025.

Speaker: Priit Vare, Head of Radio, DuoMedia Estonia

Luxembourg

With the imminent launch of DAB+ in the Grand Duchy, hear about the benefits for listeners and broadcasters in this historic radio location.

Speaker:  Gérard Floener, Head of Digital Development Radio, RTL Luxembourg

A DAB+ business success: Sunrise Radio

UK's Sunrise Radio (Yorkshire) was launched in December 1989 and for just over three decades remained the first and only commercial Asian radio station on FM in the UK. In 2020, it launched Sunrise Radio Gold, and has expanded coverage on DAB to Bradford, Leeds, East Lancashire, Manchester and Milton Keynes. It is also now a partner in launching new multiplexes in further areas including South and West London.

Speakers: Usha Parmar, CEO and Raj Parmar, Director, Sunrise Radio

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch
13:00 - 14:15 Session 3


Radio, the audio leader

Audio is booming, but radio remains the anchor. With unmatched reach, trusted voices, and innovative tools like AI and dynamic audio, radio continues to lead the audio revolution and deliver impact for brands.

Speaker:  Katerina Borovska, Senior Manager – Marketing & Innovation, EGTA  

How Bavaria is boosting DAB+ through partnerships

DAB+ is being promoted through everyday places in Bavaria. From bakeries and fuel stations to pubs and beer gardens, creative campaigns have raised DAB+ awareness and engagement. This session highlights practical examples and results that inspire other markets.

Speaker: Veit Olischläger, Head of Technology, Media Economics & Public Relations, BLM

Belgium’s DAB+ journey: collaboration, regulation and results

Belgium is proving how collaboration and clear strategy can accelerate DAB+. With fresh data from Flanders and French-speaking Belgium, this session explores how regulation, broadcaster cooperation and marketing campaigns are driving results.

Speakers: Michael Dujardin, member of the Board of Digitale Radio Vlaanderen, and Eric Adelbrecht, CEO, maRadio.be in conversation with Jacqueline Bierhorst, WorldDAB President and Project Director, Digital Radio NL

France - measuring up for success

In France, after two campaigns in February and May, Ensemble pour le DAB+ and its members promoted DAB+ across TV, radio and social media, making it the holiday listening reflex. We hear how it's impacted on awareness, adoption, and audience behaviour.

Speaker: Maëlo Seuret, Managing Director, Ensemble pour le DAB+

 

DAB+ for resilience - the role of broadcast radio in a crisis

Exclusive insights into a successfully tested and now ready-to-use system that fully automatically delivers "Automated Safety Alerts" (ASA) via DAB+. The key advantage: Thanks to the intelligent combination of text-to-speech and geolocation functionality, warnings are generated at any time - even without a host in the studio - and sent only to people in the defined danger zone.

Speakers: Harald Hoffend, Chief Technology Officer, Funkhaus RegensburgAlexander Jahn, Operations Manager, Bayern Digital Radio, in conversation with Carsten Zorger, Director, Digitalradio Büro Deutschland

14:15 - 14:45 Coffee break
14:45 - 15:30 Session 4

 

Driving radio forward: metadata on the move

As cars increasingly evolve the way drivers experience radio is also changing rapidly. This session explores how the radio industry is working together to ensure prominence of radio, DAB+ radio in the car. Join us to discover how technology providers are collaborating to keep radio at the heart of the in-car experience—driving forward with DAB+.

Speakers: Tomas Granryd, Radio Ready; Laurence Harrison, Chief Partnerships Officer, Radioplayer Worldwide; George Cernat, Senior Director, Automotive Connected Media / DTS AutoStage, Xperi 


The big topics: UX, radio and connectivity

This session explores the future of in-car audio, from managing station lists and bridging DAB+ gaps to improving user experience and driver engagement. Topics include industry collaboration, the role of logos in communication, and the continued importance of radio in automotive. Insights also cover aftermarket developments and evolving public value approaches.

Speakers: Nick Piggott, Project Director, RadioDNS and Vice President, WorldDAB; Gregor Pötzsch, Product Owner, Radio, CARIAD, Volkswagen and Chair, WorldDAB UX Group


Closing remarks

Jacqueline Bierhorst, President and Bernie O'Neill, Project Director, WorldDAB

Register as an Attendee Registration for WorldDAB Summit 2025 is now CLOSED

For members wishing to attend the General Assembly ONLINE on Wednesday 19 November at 13:00 - 14:30 CET, please contact the project office.

NOTE: The General Assembly on 19 November is open to WorldDAB members only.