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The launch of digital networks for commercial radio stations two years ago opened up the market to stations that could no longer fit within the analog FM band. In addition to new specialty stations launched by established radio companies, a dozen entirely new radio stations have emerged. Televizníweb.cz reached out to them with a few questions about how they’re faring on the air. Five of them responded. Astra Radio in Frýdek-Místek is one of the newest digital radio stations in the country. It focuses on electronic music and is led by Ukrainian musician Dobrynya Lavrukhin. According to him, DAB+ broadcasting has proven successful for Astra Radio so far, even though he does not have complete information about its own listenership.

Bernie O’Neill, Project Office Director of WorldDAB introduced the session by saying we are at an unusual point in time with different countries in different places in the digital transformation as well as telecoms regulations changing around the world which means it is a critical moment for the future of audio and radio. Jacqueline Bierhorst, President of WorldDAB then gave an overview of the progress that has been made with DAB+ in Europe over the past year. Jacqueline began by saying that radio faces challenges and gave a few examples. Advancing adoption of DAB+ needs the support of smart regulation and can often be a catalyst for strengthening the audio ecosystem.

Minister Heleen Herbert (Economic Affairs and Climate Policy) has launched a consultation on the future of the oldest commercial national DAB+ multiplex. This digital package is the only one that has never been split into licences per radio station. Instead, a single technical operator, Mobiele TV Nederland (MTVNL), holds the licence itself. The key question is: should this remain the case? In 2028, DAB+ layer 3 (channel 7D, 9A in Zeeland) will be reallocated. If a single operator is again permitted to operate this, this will, in theory, result in lower costs, more efficient use of bandwidth and flexibility for new entrants and those leaving the market. The alternative to this piecemeal approach is to distribute this digital audio layer in the same way as all the others.

After a lengthy period without digital broadcasting, Rundfunk-Kombinat Sachsen will return to the statewide DAB+ platform on 31 March 2026. This officially marks the end of the period of technical restrictions during which the programme could only be broadcast via alternative channels. The comeback will be celebrated with a special day of programming that once again highlights the diversity of the project’s content. The programme is designed by and for people in Saxony and aims to give a voice to those who are often overlooked in the commercially driven media landscape. The relaunch on DAB+ is a crucial step for the team behind the station to secure a statewide presence and permanently establish non-commercial broadcasting even outside the major urban centres.

The Halifax DAB multiplex has launched, offering a greater choice of listening for audiences across the region. Stations now broadcasting on the multiplex include Sunrise Radio – already on air across Calderdale on 100.6 FM, Sunrise Radio Gold, Phoenix Radio – the Halifax-based community statio, also available on 96.7 FM and Culture City Radio. Director Raj Parmar said: “This launch represents a major step forward for local radio in Calderdale. By bringing together a mix of established broadcasters and new digital services, we are proud to offer listeners more choice than ever before, while supporting community-focused and culturally diverse programming.”

Spain's National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) has published a report containing recommendations to strengthen the efficiency and resilience of the Spanish electricity system, based on the conclusions drawn from the investigation into the incident that occurred on 28 April 2025. The report includes recommendations for other sectors affected by their reliance on the electricity supply. In the telecommunications and audiovisual sectors, there is a call to strengthen coordination with electricity planning, including promoting the roll-out of DAB+ and automatic safety alerts. "The widespread roll-out of DAB+ and subsequently its alert system is an essential recommendation in light of the incident of 28 April 2025," the report says.

The commercial radio stations Tukker FM and Sunrise FM have expanded their DAB+ coverage. As of 18 March, Tukker FM can once again be heard in the provinces of South Holland and Zeeland via digital radio. The station can be listened to on channel 5B. Sunrise FM can also be heard in North Holland and Flevoland via DAB+ on channel 8B. The radio station uses the digital capacity of radio station VIBE. VIBE has ceased broadcasting via channel 8B but can still be listened to via the MTVNL DAB+ network, which is available in parts of the Netherlands via channel 7D.

The commercial radio station Radio Suc6 can now also be listened to via DAB+ in the South-West Brabant region. The company behind Radio Suc6 has obtained licences from the National Inspectorate for Digital Infrastructure (RDI) to broadcast via three local DAB+ networks in the South-West Brabant region. As a result, the radio station can now be heard in the areas around Tilburg, Breda, Roosendaal, Bergen op Zoom, Etten-Leur and Waalwijk via DAB+ channels 8A, 8B and 8C. Radio Suc6 is giving away DAB+ radios to (new) enthusiastic listeners to celebrate the fact that the station can now be received digitally.

Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) has welcomed the GfK Survey 1, 2026 results. The industry reaches 12.7 million Australians weekly - sustaining the consistent audience performance that has defined the medium since mid-2022 through a global pandemic, platform fragmentation and an increasingly competitive media landscape. Lizzie Young, CEO of CRA said: "The commercial radio industry is entering an exciting new chapter - one defined by a level of industry collaboration for the benefit of audiences and advertisers alike. Our members are reaching audiences across AM, FM, DAB+, streaming and podcasting, and the investment in platforms like CRA Audio ID and RadioApp means we are delivering the precision, transparency and scale that advertisers require."

Norddeutscher Rundfunk is continuing with its FM switch-offs in Schleswig-Holstein. This time, listeners on the North Sea island of Heligoland are affected. The following stations are due to be switched off at the Heligoland site on 8 April: N-Joy – 91.5 MHz; NDR Info – 92.5 MHz; NDR Kultur – 97.0 MHz All NDR programmes can be received via DAB+ on channel 11B. The transmitter on Heligoland has a radiated power of 400 watts. In addition to the programmes familiar from the FM band, NDR Blue, NDR Info Spezial and NDR Schlager also broadcast digitally.