WorldDAB at IBC2025: Shaping the future of broadcast radio

16.09.2025 by Will Jackson

IBC never disappoints — from the vast scale of the exhibition halls to the unique charm of Worlits Amsterdam venue, it remains a standout event in the broadcast technology calendar.

For WorldDAB, IBC2025 was no exception. Located in a bustling Hall 8, the WorldDAB stand featured live demonstrations of the life-saving Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) system and hosted the always-popular Sunday conference session.

Ahead of the show, two major announcements showcased the impact of DAB+.

On Thursday 12 September, Germany’s Warntag (Warning Day) successfully tested the ASA system via DAB+, demonstrating its potential to enhance public safety. The next day in the United Kingdom, the BBC launched three new DAB+ radio stations, expanding on its popular music services and underlining the platform’s potential for brand extensions.

Throughout IBC, WorldDAB members highlighted new services and equipment.

GatesAir received a Best in Show award from RedTech for its high-efficiency DAB+ transmitter architecture. Xperi was also awarded for its DTS AutoStage Smart Discovery platform. Inovonics was also awarded for its work in partnership with RFE Broadcast. Meanwhile, Radio World magazine honoured GatesAir again, alongside Aldena for their FM+DAB multiband antenna.

The well-attended WorldDAB Sunday Conference, supported by Broadcast Networks Europe, offered a deep dive into DAB+ developments and the future of broadcast radio.

WorldDAB Project Director Bernie O'Neill on stage at IBC2025

In moderating the session, WorldDAB Project Director Bernie O’Neill opened with a striking contrast. On the one hand, the IBC Daily reminded us that a billion hours of YouTube content are watched on TV every day — a sign of how profoundly digital platforms have reshaped media consumption. On the other hand, as EBU Director General Noel Curran underlined, 82.8% of Europeans still tune in to broadcast radio every week.

O’Neill observed that taken together, these figures show the dual reality radio broadcasters are operating in: audiences are embracing new forms of digital content, while broadcast radio remains an essential part of daily life. "Far from fading, radio is evolving — and DAB+ is at the heart of that evolution, offering resilience, innovation, and growth," she said.

Lindsay Cornell, Chair of the WorldDAB Technical Committee, presented an update on the ASA system. Cornell noted the worldwide product certification scheme introduced in March, with WorldDAB appointing DTG Testing to provide testing and certification. The new scheme ensures that products with the ASA logo have passed the certification process, comply with minimum requirements according to ETSI standards, and are recognised as an ASA-compliant product. Cornell showed new ASA receivers from JVCKENWOOD and TechniSat.

Other speakers at the session included David Fernández Quijada, Co-Founder, Research Director, South 180 who presented a new white paper produced by South 180 examining the current state of DAB+ in Spain and proposing a range of public policy stimuli to accelerate its adoption.

Fernández said public policy stimuli are a core tool to reduce uncertainty in the deployment of DAB+ — less uncertainty translates into less financial burden on broadcasters by supporting their planning and reducing the transition period to a fully digital broadcast environment. On the listeners’ side, public policy stimuli can broaden and reduce the cost of new devices, make the message louder and ubiquitous and ensure users this is a future-proof option.

From Croatia, Bruno Cigrovski, Head of Broadcasting Systems Department, OIV spoke on the long-term importance of broadcast from a network operator’s perspective. He stressed that terrestrial broadcasting networks are critical infrastructure, providing essential communication during emergencies. They ensure accessible and reliable content delivery, while actively supporting sustainability, national sovereignty and democracy. “Looking ahead, it's vital to monitor and influence legislation and regulation, invest in marketing and public awareness, and stay aligned with technological innovation,” Cigrovski added.

From France, Raphaël Eyraud, Président, towerCAST explored the rollout of DAB+ in France. “DAB+ has expanded the radio offering, enabling the introduction of new services such as children’s stations, thematic formats, and specialised content,” Eyraud said. 2025-26 is expected to see phase 3 rollout of France’s two national multiplexes, with the deployment of 300 additional transmitters, alongside the launch of 20 new areas, further strengthening coverage of local and regional networks.

Jens Timmermans, Commercial Director Broadcasting, Cellnex Broadcast Partners, outlined the development of local digital radio in the host country of the Netherlands, with 57 new multiplexes to launch by 1 September. The challenge was a network of more than 250 stations broadcasting on (mainly low power) FM — if not digitalising, they ran the risk of losing the connection with their listeners. In 2020 what Timmermans described as a “crucial starting point,” it was recognised that local radio needs a digital future, with the Dutch government allocating essential spectrum for local DAB+. Broadcast Partners worked in partnership with NLPO — the local public broadcasters organisation — to create a complete digital radio ecosystem on DAB+.

WorldDAB’s next major event is the annual WorldDAB Summit, taking place in Antwerp on 20 November. A networking dinner and the General Assembly for members will be held the day before. Registration is now open.