News

Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are strengthening cooperation in cross-border radio frequency management through the 3rd Technical Coordination Meeting (TCM), held in Yogyakarta from May 19–21, 2026. A key agenda item was Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB), with both countries discussing technical parameters to ensure compatibility. Indonesia currently operates six DAB transmitters in major cities such as Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta. Manager of Frequency Coordination & Satellite at NICTA, Richard Nepao, praised the collaboration. “This is one step forward in our plans to deploy digital broadcasting. We have pilots planned for Port Moresby and Buka, and disaster notification through broadcast technologies is a priority."

Ireland’s latest DAB+ trial, operating under the FáilteDAB banner, was conceived as a technical and market test. But as the first phase beds in across Leinster, connected-car data from Xperi’s DTS AutoStage platform is beginning to add a behavioral dimension to the engineering story. Quoting DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal data from Jan.–Feb. 2026, George Cernat, senior director of automotive connected media at Xperi, says that 29.6% of overall listening in DTS AutoStage-equipped vehicles in Ireland is now to DAB+. “This is significant,” Cernat says, “as it clearly shows the potential of the technology once fully embraced and advertised by the radio groups who will be adopting DAB+.”

The UK media regulator, Ofcom, has published its "Audio listening in the UK" report, primarily focused on findings from its 2026 annual Audio and Podcast Surveys. One section covers how audio listening in cars is changing. "There have also been key changes in how people listen to the radio in-car," it notes, "with latest RAJAR data showing 61% of listening here is through a DAB set compared to 33% through analogue and 7% online. In 2006, the equivalent figures were 20% through DAB, 79% analogue and 1% online." Other findings include that "access to radio in cars is also important to drivers. According to data from IPA TouchPoints, car owners in Great Britain are twice as likely to say they would miss the radio if it weren’t there compared to non-car owners (61% vs 30%)."

Germany’s most-listened-to private radio station is expanding its summer listening experience in northern Italy and can now be received via DAB+ from Bolzano to Venice for the first time. Just in time for the start of the Whitsun holidays, ANTENNE BAYERN is bringing even more of that Bavarian way of life to Italy: in addition to the popular FM coverage around Lake Garda, which listeners have come to expect for decades, the radio station is now also broadcasting via DAB+ across large parts of northern Italy for the first time – from Bolzano to Venice, and from Lake Garda to the Adriatic coast. Particularly relevant for many holidaymakers from Bavaria: ANTENNE BAYERN will now be available digitally along the main roads south.

Arcom’s chairman, Martin Ajdari, presented the regulator’s 2026–2028 strategic plan on Tuesday morning. The regulator states its intention to pursue “a proactive and ambitious strategy” in order to “support the digital transition of radio, guarantee universal access to it and ensure the sustainability of its model”. Arcom also states its intention to work with the association Ensemble pour le DAB+ to strengthen the measurement of ‘DAB+ awareness, equipment, audience figures and broadcasting costs’.

As we were gearing up to move forward with Visionathon, we were met with some unexpected yet welcome news. A new DAB+ licence became available, and after significant work behind the scenes, Vision’s reach in Perth is set to expand through city-wide digital radio coverage. Vision’s journey in Perth dates back to the early 2000s, when a series of low-power FM stations were switched on across individual suburbs. For a city of nearly 2.5 million people, Australia’s fourth largest, the need for a stronger and more unified signal has been clear. Now, through the rollout of DAB+ digital radio, Vision will become accessible across the entire city.

So far, the Media Bohemia group has earned the most from digital broadcasting; according to the latest Radioprojekt results for the last quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year, its new DAB+ programs have attracted 140,000 listeners per day. The latest Radioprojekt report provided the first comprehensive audience figures for new digital radio stations—at least those operated by major media groups. It confirmed the strong position of the public sports station Český rozhlas Radiožurnál Sport, which was tuned in by an average of 72,000 listeners daily between October 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

Ireland now has its first terrestrial radio station dedicated entirely to classical music. all Classical Radio has launched online, on smart speakers and on DAB+ in Leinster under a 12 month trial licence from Coimisiún na Meán. The station is broadcasting from studios in Liffey Valley, Dublin, and is operated by RadioHub, the team behind Christmas FM, Rewind Radio and the Exploring Ireland podcast. Content Director Daragh O’Sullivan said: “all Classical Radio brings Ireland a new, uninterrupted home for classical music 24/7.”

On 18 May, the EBU published its policy position on the Digital Networks Act (DNA). “The DNA has the potential to support a more connected, inclusive, and resilient Europe. But certain red lines cannot be crossed. In times of crisis, direct access to broadcast radio in vehicles is a lifeline and net neutrality protects access to diverse content. EU lawmakers must consider the far-reaching implications of the DNA and safeguard key principles within it,” said Vincent Sneed, Senior EU Policy Adviser, EBU. The key areas include: Ensure the availability of broadcast radio in vehicles: Direct access in vehicle to both analogue and digital terrestrial broadcast radio, without intermediaries, reduces the risk of information being blocked or diverted, and maintains access for all in times of crisis.

Governments, regulatory bodies and the radio industry now have a new guide to assist with the introduction and expansion of digital radio. The global industry forum WorldDAB has published a practical guide entitled “DAB+ Public Policy Toolbox”. The free document is designed to speed up decision-making processes within public administrations and authorities planning to launch or expand DAB+. As FM frequencies are saturated in many areas, the industry regards the digital migration as the only sustainable option for further growth in the radio market.