News

Following an in-depth review of the applications, the Media Council of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM) today decided who will be awarded the DAB capacity in the contiguous digital terrestrial coverage area of Upper Bavaria-Swabia, Middle Franconia and Upper Franconia, which was put out to tender at the end of last year: The licence has been awarded to CHILLOUT ANTENNE. Dr Thorsten Schmiege, President of the BLM: “What the BLM predicted in its audio strategy became reality last year: by 2025, daily usage of digital reception channels will be on a par with FM for the first time. With today’s decision, DAB+ is receiving a further boost directly from Antenne Bayern. I welcome that.”

For listeners in the coverage area of the Oberammergau/Laber transmitter, the FM frequencies for five BR radio stations will change from 19 May: Bayern 1, Bayern 2, Bayern 3, BR Klassik and BR24. From the Oberammergau/Laber site, the BR will in future broadcast these programmes exclusively via DAB+. You will still be able to receive them via FM on the frequencies of the Grünten or Hühnerberg transmitters. This may require a new station search on your FM radio. This is due to the closure of the Oberammergau/Laber FM transmitter for economic reasons and to improve energy efficiency in broadcasting.

The radio station Ráádio Presstón is expanding significantly and broadening its reach via DAB+. The station is now part of the Play.cz network, which was officially taken over by České Radiokomunikace this past April. The new distribution is being broadcast from Ústí nad Labem – Buková hora on channel 10C and Trutnov – Černá hora on block 10B. The capital is covered by the Prague – Žižkov transmitter on channel 8B, which has a power output of nearly 20 kW. In northern Moravia, signal distribution is provided by Ostrava – Hošťálkovice on block 5A, while southern Bohemia is covered by České Budějovice – Kleť. Other key points in the network include Brno – Kojál on block 7A and the northern Bohemian peak of Liberec – Ještěd within block 10C.

South Africa’s main commercial radio body has become the first African organisation to join the Radio Ready connected car campaign. Founded by Bauer Media Group, European Broadcasting Union, BBC and several European broadcasters and radio groups, now the National Association of Broadcasters South Africa has joined the industry initiative. This extends Radio Ready’s reach beyond Europe and Australia as connected car distribution becomes a bigger priority for broadcasters worldwide. More than 23 broadcasters, industry groups and associations are now involved in the campaign, which launched in summer last year to support radio’s visibility and accessibility in connected vehicles. WorldDAB is part of Radio Ready and the initiative will be featured at WorldDAB Automotive next month.

WorldDAB - the global industry forum for DAB+ digital radio - has added seven new member organisations in the first three months of 2026, reflecting increasing momentum in the adoption of DAB+. The new members are: Bauer Media Audio, Coimisiún na Meán, CreaCast, ERT SA (Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation), Lucid Motors, Nissan Motor Corporation and Telantel S.r.l. WorldDAB now has 121 members in 42 countries. WorldDAB Project Director Bernie O’Neill said: “We’re delighted to welcome our new members, from automotive giants, broadcasters and network operators, to equipment manufacturers and national regulators spanning Asia, Europe and beyond, reflecting the wide range of our activities.”

Video from WorldDAB's popular session at Radiodays Europe 2026 in Riga, exploring "why DAB+ matters now more than ever" is now available to watch. The session explored why DAB+ is not just growing — but why it has become strategically indispensable. It's led by Bernie O'Neill, Project Director, WorldDAB, and includes an update from WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst on the global growth of DAB+, along with compelling digital broadcast success stories from Digitale Radio Vlaanderen in Flanders and Duo Media Networks recent DAB+ launch in Estonia. WorldDAB's new Public Policy Toolbox is previewed by consultant David Fernández Quijada from South 180.

The Alfàbia telecommunications centre (Bunyola) is hosting the launch of Spain’s first regional DAB+ digital radio network, a project developed by Cellnex and IB digital in collaboration with IB3, which will enable the public to enjoy higher sound quality, new services and a wider variety of programming. This initiative, the result of a strategic collaboration between public and private entities, aims to consolidate the Balearic Islands as a “leading region in the modernisation of broadcasting”. The Alfàbia transmission centre stands as one of the strategic hubs of the first phase of this roll-out, with adaptation works having begun in late 2025. The new DAB+ network represents, in the words of Cellnex, a significant evolution compared to traditional FM.

Ofcom has today awarded small-scale DAB multiplex licences for six more areas across the UK. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology which provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves. So far, 105 multiplexes have been launched, supporting a wide range of hyperlocal digital radio stations broadcasting to listeners across all four nations of the UK. Following a competitive process, where each applicant was judged against specific criteria, multiplex licences have been awarded for the following areas: Chester, Chippenham and Malmesbury, Coleraine, Newbury, Telford and Shrewsbury, and Ullapool.

On 5 May, AIR – Austrian International Radio – a new, urban city radio station – will officially go on air on the DAB+ network in the Greater Vienna area. Following its successful launch as a web radio station, the programme is now also available via DAB+ on MUX II as Austrian International Radio (AIR). The station will thus reach listeners in Vienna, southern Lower Austria and northern Burgenland – with a technical reach of around 3.3 million people. AIR Radio is based on a modern ‘New Radio’ concept featuring curated music, a strong Austrian focus and editorial content. There is a particular focus on bilingual content (German/English), which currently accounts for around 15 per cent of the programme and is set to be expanded further.

Galway Bay FM has launched Pure Country as a new 24 hour country and Irish music service on DAB+. The station is testing on the Failte DAB Mux2 trial and will also be available online and via smart speaker. It is broadcasting from Galway Bay FM’s studios in Galway City. Fionnuala Rabbitt, CEO of Galway Bay FM, said: “There is an incredibly strong and enduring tradition of country music in Ireland, particularly outside Dublin.” Pure Country will begin as an automated service, with plans to add specialist country shows and live programming in the coming months. A future extension to the Greater Dublin area is also hoped for, although the main focus is outside Dublin.