News

The Flemish Government has given its initial approval in principle to the local frequency plan for DAB+. This paves the way for a permanent arrangement to allow local radio stations to broadcast digitally as well. “Local radio stations are and will remain important to Flemish listeners. With this plan, we are giving local radio stations the opportunity to reach their audience digitally as well,” said Flemish Minister for Media Cieltje Van Achter. Local radio stations have been asking for some time to be able to broadcast on DAB+. During the previous parliamentary term, pilot projects were therefore temporarily carried out for a limited number of radio stations. With the new local DAB+ frequency plan, there is now the prospect of a permanent arrangement for the entire local radio sector.

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.

The Belgian radio industry is calling on the European authorities to make FM and DAB+ radio receivers mandatory in all new vehicles registered in the European Union, maRadio.be, RadioZ, La Craxx and Digitale Radio Vlaanderen stated in a joint press release on Thursday. Faced with the emergence of new-generation vehicles without radio systems, organisations fear that “universal, free and non-discriminatory access to information” will no longer be guaranteed. “By removing the FM/DAB+ receiver, manufacturers are threatening to turn free and direct access into a closed environment, monetised by the tech giants,” warn Belgian radio stations, whilst 95% of in-car audio listening is devoted to radio, according to the latest CIM study.

The Communications Authority of Kenya has engaged broadcast licensees in Mombasa on key developments shaping the industry’s next phase a timely forum aimed at aligning stakeholders, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring a smooth transition as the sector evolves. At the heart of the engagement was the migration to Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB), a critical step towards delivering clearer audio quality, wider coverage, and more diverse content offerings for audiences across the country. Bringing licensees together was essential to address emerging opportunities, clarify expectations, and support a coordinated rollout of this transformative technology.

Bauer Media Audio launches new radio station: FLOW is Denmark’s new musical alternative. A radio station that blends classic rock anthems with alternative pop favourites, striking a balance between the familiar and the tracks you don’t always hear on the radio. “There is a long list of artists who easily and frequently fill various stages at summer festivals. Many sell out arena and stadium shows, but they belong to a genre we rarely hear on the radio. There is a need for a radio station for the many music fans who enjoy this music and come together around these experiences – and we believe we’ve hit the mark perfectly with FLOW,” says Claus Thune, Content & Marketing Director at Bauer Media Audio. FLOW can be heard from 1 May on DAB+, at rayo.dk and in the Rayo app.

Vision Australia have informed their listener community that from July 1, 2026 they will no longer broadcast on the AM frequencies 1179 AM Melbourne, 1197 AM Adelaide and 990 AM Perth. Vision Australia Radio have provided the AM services for people who are blind or have low vision for more than 40 years and they will still be freely available on DAB+, via online streaming and through the Community Radio Plus app on a smart device. Vision Australia also has an array of podcasts. The CEO of Vision Australia David Williamson said in an email: ‘Transitioning away from AM broadcasting will significantly reduce operating costs. However, our program offerings will remain the same.’

České Radiokomunikace (CRA) continues to build a comprehensive streaming platform, and with the acquisition of Play.cz, it is expanding its portfolio to include radio streaming, along with the necessary technological infrastructure and key customers. “With the acquisition of Play.cz, we are gaining unique expertise, technology, and customers in the field of radio streaming, thereby completing our portfolio of streaming services. At the same time, this acquisition opens up new opportunities for the development of DAB broadcasting,” says Miloš Mastník, CEO of CRA.

The Communications Authority of Kenya has convened a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Nairobi aimed at advancing the rollout of digital sound broadcasting (DSB) in the country, with a strong focus on licensing frameworks and regulatory compliance. The forum brought together broadcasters, signal distributors, equipment vendors, policymakers and industry associations to deliberate on the transition from analogue FM radio to digital platforms. This engagement comes as Kenya accelerates efforts to modernise its broadcasting sector following the rollout of pilot digital sound broadcasting services in Nairobi, and several other parts of the country.

Sports Entertainment Network (SEN), in partnership with Bunnings, is excited to announce the launch of Bunnings Tradio on DAB+ in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with the station also available nationally via the SEN app. Bunnings Tradio is a worksite playlist made for the trade and built for tradies, playing rock, pop, classic and modern hits - a soundtrack designed to keep your spirit levels up. Bunnings Tradio is a collaboration between Bunnings and SEN, with Bunnings Tradio on SEN’s DAB+ spectrum, and SEN producing the stations in partnership with Bunnings, curating the playlist, taking music requests, delivering sport updates and match previews, and incorporating Bunnings content including product reviews, trade tips and practical advice for tradies.