India's WAVES 2025: WorldDAB President on “Radio Re-imagined: Thriving in the Digital Age” expert panel

03.05.2025 - Top story - - Xperi Corporation WorldDAB Member - Fraunhofer IIS WorldDAB Member - India

WorldDAB's President Jacqueline Bierhorst featured in a panel session: “Radio Re-imagined: Thriving in the Digital Age” exploring the benefits of digital radio, in Mumbai, India on 2 May.

The discussion formed part of WAVES 2025 — the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit — a global summit for the media and entertainment industry, organised by India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Moderated by Nisha Narayanan, Director & COO of Red FM, the panel brought together leading radio distribution experts including Jacqueline Bierhorst, President of WorldDAB; Ted Laverty, Vice President of Global Standards at Xperi Corporation; Ruxandra Obreja, Chair of DRM; Alexander Zink, Vice Chair of DRM and Senior Business Development Manager at Fraunhofer; and Shashi Shekhar Vempati, former CEO of Prasar Bharati and Co-Founder of Deep Tech of Bharat.

The discussion focused on the urgent need for radio to digitise its distribution in order to reach broader audiences and offer enriched content experiences. Bierhorst emphasised the importance of a comprehensive digital distribution strategy — combining both digital terrestrial broadcasting and IP streaming — to ensure radio’s continued relevance and growth. She stressed that this transformation requires close collaboration between public and private broadcasters and the government.

Bierhorst outlined a practical roadmap beginning with an inventory of broadcasters' needs —both public and private — alongside a reassessment of the current regulatory framework. She highlighted the “5 Cs” as critical success factors: robust Coverage, compelling Content, affordable Consumer Devices, integration in Cars, and strong Communication through public awareness campaigns.

Xperi's Ted Laverty demonstrated prototype handheld devices, including both smart and feature phones equipped with HD digital terrestrial radio reception and explained these devices are easily adaptable to other terristrial distribution forms such as DAB+. Responding to the moderator’s observation that India urgently needs a radio measurement system, Laverty presented DTS AutoStage — a car-based solution — as one possible approach, and noted Radioplayer as another platform that can help generate listening data to support monetisation.

Representatives from DRM, digital radio mondiale, available in the AM band in India, reiterated that broadcast should remain the backbone of radio, ensuring universal access, especially for emergency alerts, and enabling growth in both station variety and audience reach.

The panel concluded that India is poised for a transformative leap in radio. A dynamic shift to digital will not only future-proof the industry but also unlock significant export and innovation opportunities.