News

Mediapulse AG has published consolidated radio usage figures for the first time since SRG ceased FM broadcasting at the end of 2024. Compared to the same period a year ago, the SRG station group's market share fell by 6 percentage points nationwide - in line with expectations. This result is in line with the exceptionally high quarterly figures published by SRG in April. With a market share of 53%, SRG remains the clear market leader. This is an important indicator, as it shows how much SRG radio is used in Switzerland as a proportion of total usage. Radio penetration is declining overall, as usage patterns have been changing for some time.

The invitation to tender for DAB+ transmission capacity for the Münsterland region begins on 9 July. This will enable the broadcasting of a total of 16 radio programmes in the remaining, sixth DAB+ region in North Rhine-Westphalia. The DAB+ transmission capacities for the remaining five broadcasting areas have already been put out to tender and awarded by the NRW Media Authority following a mutual agreement procedure. With the ‘DAB+Regio Funding Programme’, the NRW Media Authority will contribute up to €3.4 million over a period of three years towards the broadcasting costs incurred by the broadcasters. Applications for both the DAB+Regio transmission capacities and for funding can be submitted until 17 September 2025.

The regional DAB+ ensemble for the Leipzig region (channel 10A) can now also be heard via a second transmitter site. In addition to the Leipzig-Messegrund site (with 10 kW), the Oschatz/Collmberg transmitter (with 9.3 kW) is now also broadcasting. The transmitter was switched on in mid-June. Eleven private radio stations and one non-commercial station (Radio Blau) can be heard in the ensemble.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said he will implement new tower projects that will strengthen the broadcasting infrastructure in 30 metropolitan cities within the scope of the studies initiated to expand the Çamlıca and Çanakkale towers model throughout Turkey. Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, said: "Within the scope of the 30 Provinces Common Tower Infrastructure Project, we continue to work on the establishment of high capacity transmitter towers suitable for FM, DAB+ and DVB-T2 broadcasting technologies in our provinces. These towers will be equipped with new broadcasting infrastructures, energy efficiency will be increased more than 10 times, and more environmentally friendly and low carbon emission broadcasting services will be provided."

The Spanish Government has launched a "Public Consultation on the Draft Standard for the Promotion of Digital Terrestrial Audio Broadcasting with DAB+ Technology". It says: "the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure (SETELECO) is analysing the possibility of initiating and processing a regulatory initiative aimed at adopting measures to promote the terrestrial digital audio broadcasting audiovisual communication service through the introduction and extension of DAB+ technology... this public consultation seeks the opinion of the subjects and the most representative organisations potentially affected by the future regulation. The deadline for submission is 28 July 2025.

Don’t count broadcast radio out yet. When it comes to in-car entertainment, radio’s live and local nature means that it’s still “made for the drive.” This good news was delivered by Frank Nowack of Ford Motor Company at WorldDAB Automotive 2025. WorldDAB, the international association promoting the DAB/DAB+ digital radio transmission standard globally, held the event on June 19 at the Palacio Neptuno hotel in Madrid, Spain. Nowack is Ford’s function owner of broadcast radio. Speaking during the session, “Broadcast radio: live, local and made for the drive,” he reinforced the idea that radio’s linear, local and live strengths power compelling drive time content that is tailor-made for today’s in-car listeners.

The Media Bohemia radio group plans to launch three more music stations this summer - the dance music-focused Radio Helax, Rock Radio Stage, which will focus on the rock festival scene, and Oldies Radio, which will offer a selection of classic hits from past decades. The station will appear in the full coverage DAB+ multiplex C of RTI CZ. The regional Hitradio stations will also get their own DAB+ version from September and will be gradually connected to the digital multiplexes. "Entering DAB+ digital broadcasting is a strategic step for us, which will allow us to reach new listeners and offer them quality content in a modern format. We are ready to invest in technology and programme innovation to strengthen our position in the market," announced Media Bohemia owner Daniel Sedláček.

Mario Frühauf, Managing Director of kronehit and Chairman of the Private Broadcasters Association (VÖP): "With the DAB+ stations, we have succeeded in switching from a single-brand to a multi-brand strategy. This was very important in order to put our company on a broader footing and to have the opportunity to address new target groups. The stations are positioned in such a way that they a) do not cannibalise our main channel kronehit and b) represent music clusters that are in high demand on the listener market. We did a lot of research beforehand and are more than satisfied with the launch. With Radio Rot-Weiss-Rot and Super 80s, we have already caught up with the reach of the established DAB+ stations within six months - a huge success."

Gorka Zumeta writes: "if radio has a future, it is in DAB+, whether Spanish private broadcasters like it or not. In fact, public and private, in the eyes of the administration, are condemned to understand each other. And the best thing is for them to start as soon as possible, and not wait for the European Union, under pressure from Belgians and Germans, to decide to publish a Directive obliging all member states to establish DAB+ by, say, 2035, the year in which FM would also be switched off. Before then, inevitably, there would be a switch-off of AM, which no longer makes sense in a network hyper-diversified in channels (AM, FM, DAB, DAB+, DTT, App, Webs). The most important reason for this decision would focus on the energy aspect and on the high level of pollution caused by AM and FM.

Ofcom has approved a request from Radio Ceredigion Limited to switch off two of its FM transmitters in west Wales. This means Nation Radio Wales will stop broadcasting on 97.4 FM (Lampeter) and 96.6 FM (Cardigan), continuing only on 103.3 FM from Blaenplwyf. The licensee explained that FM listening in the area has been falling, while digital platforms including DAB, online streaming and the Nation Player app have grown. Nation Radio Wales is available on four DAB multiplexes across Wales and online via nationplayer.com. Radio Ceredigion Limited also said the cost of maintaining three FM sites in sparsely populated areas had become unsustainable. Transmission costs have risen, local advertising revenue has declined, and ageing equipment would need replacement.