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Romain Laleix, a member of the Arcom board, is concerned about the possibility that some car manufacturers may remove radio receivers from their vehicles. ‘The absence of car radios in vehicles would amount to the immediate marginalisation of the medium (radio, editor's note) and its disappearance in the near future.’ It is with this blunt warning that Romain Laleix, member of the Arcom college in charge of radio issues, begins his opinion piece published in Les Échos on 13 February 2026. The warning comes after the launch of the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 last October, which will not be equipped with either AM or FM radio. Yet Romain Laleix points out that DAB+ technology — “the radio equivalent of digital terrestrial TV” — still allows drivers to receive stations in vehicles that include it.

Radio MK is and remains number one in the Märkischer Kreis district. This is confirmed by the latest audience survey conducted by Electronic Media Analysis (EMA), which was published on 25 February 2026 throughout North Rhine-Westphalia. Since the turn of the year, Radio MK has finally been broadcasting on DAB in addition to FM. ‘Commuters in particular can now receive Radio MK far beyond the Märkischer Kreis district,’ emphasises Editor-in-chief Holger Jahnke. ‘Motorists can now listen to Radio MK without interruption on their way to Dortmund, Unna, Hagen or, for example, the Hochsauerlandkreis district. Even in the Münsterland region, Radio MK still has excellent reception,’ says Jahnke.

Radio Hollandia can now be listened to in the The Hague region via DAB+ on channel 5C. Until now, Radio Hollandia could only be listened to via the Internet. In the 1980s, the radio station was active as a pirate broadcaster focusing on Dutch-language music. ‘Today, Radio Hollandia is a proud part of Radio Excellent, continuing its rich history and passion for radio,’ the radio station says on its website. Radio Excellent recently obtained an additional licence from the Dutch Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate (RDI) to broadcast via the local DAB+ network in the The Hague region. As of today, Radio Hollandia can be heard via this network on channel 5C. Radio Excellent itself has been broadcasting via DAB+ in the The Hague region for some time.

From 16 February to 2 March 2026, the association ‘Ensemble pour le DAB+’ (Together for DAB+) is launching a new campaign to promote DAB+ on radio stations. The initiative aims to inform and raise awareness among the general public about the benefits of digital terrestrial radio. ‘DAB+ radio offers exceptional sound quality, more stations and more information about what I'm listening to!’ Since 2024, the association ‘Ensemble pour le DAB+’ has been supporting the roll-out of DAB+ across the country. The messages produced by the association emphasise the benefits of DAB+ for listeners.

Radio Maria England now broadcasts on 17 DAB areas following a three-year expansion under its outgoing Operations Manager. Pierre Petrou has stepped down from the Christian station after overseeing significant changes to its distribution, fundraising and internal systems. During his tenure, the station increased its DAB digital radio coverage from four local multiplex areas to 17 across the UK, widening access to its programming. Pierre said: “It has been a privilege to help strengthen Radio Maria England’s foundations and broaden its reach. I’m particularly proud of the Listen Again facility and the expansion in DAB coverage.”

As the European Commission has presented its legislative proposal as part of the Digital Networks Act and the revision of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC), Radio France and the Alliance de la Radio, an association representing all French private commercial radio stations, are calling on European decision-makers to make it mandatory to include FM and DAB+ radio receivers in all new vehicles in categories M, N and L registered in the European Union. Radio remains the trusted and accessible medium par excellence: it offers millions of Europeans free, anonymous and direct access to democratic debate, reliable information, varied cultural programmes and music across all territories.

Radio station Sleutelstad from Leiden can now also be listened to via digital radio (DAB+). The radio station can be listened to in the Leiden region via channel 9D. Since January of this year, it has been possible for commercial broadcasters to apply for a licence for local digital radio. Stichting Haagse Media has obtained a licence from the Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur (RDI) and, as of today, is broadcasting the radio station Sleutelstad via DAB+ on channel 9D.

St Neots’ Black Cat Radio has secured grant funding from National Highways as part of the A428 improvement project’s legacy programme to help expand digital radio coverage across St Neots & Huntingdon. The funding will support the rollout of new DAB digital transmitters and infrastructure, bringing improved radio access to communities along the A428 corridor and surrounding areas. The expansion will extend digital coverage from Stilton through to Sandy, and from Kempston to Cambourne, as well as along major routes including the A1, A14 and A421. The project aims to ensure growing communities connected by the upgraded road network have access to reliable local broadcasting.

Chelmsford’s new small-scale DAB multiplex is now on air, expanding local digital radio choice across the city. Chelmsford Digital Radio officially launched on 14 February, marking 104 years since 2MT Writtle began regular entertainment broadcasts in 1922. The Mayor highlighted the city’s role in the origins of wireless communication, referencing Guglielmo Marconi’s work in Chelmsford and the area’s long broadcasting heritage. Rebecca Steers, Founder of Chelmsford Digital Radio, said: “It’s an honour to build on Chelmsford’s incredible broadcasting legacy. Small-scale DAB gives local, independent, and community stations the ability to flourish and be heard.” Rebecca added that the multiplex would help local voices reach listeners across the city and continue Chelmsford’s tradition of innovation in radio.

The Government of the Balearic Islands has launched IB3 Radio's digital DAB+ broadcasts in Menorca, in the process that is making the Balearic broadcaster the first regional radio station in all of Spain to transmit using this cutting-edge technology. After the switch-on in Ibiza on 30 January, Menorca has been connected via the switch-on at the Toro telecommunications centre in the municipality of Es Mercadal. The culmination of the rollout will take place in Mallorca on 1 March, coinciding with the Day of the Balearic Islands. The Vice-President of the Government and Minister of Economy, Finance and Innovation, Antoni Costa, has welcomed the expansion of the new technology and underlined the regional Executive's commitment “to innovation that makes life easier for citizens and improves access to modern, high-quality public services”.