News

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”.

The new reception channel makes your favourite radio station even better: Radio Vest is now available throughout the Recklinghausen district via DAB+. With the launch of DAB+, Radio Vest is taking an important step towards the digital future. The new transmission technology ensures stable and interference-free reception and makes listening to the radio even more convenient. ‘With DAB+, we offer our listeners in the Recklinghausen district Radio Vest in crystal-clear digital quality – stable, future-proof and with lots of additional information about the music. This is what the future of radio sounds like!’ says editor-in-chief Julia Winterfeld.

The Government, through the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure (SETELECO) under the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Public Administration, has sent a message of congratulations to the broadcasting sector in Spain on World Radio Day, while reaffirming its commitment to developing Digital Terrestrial Radio in DAB+ format in our country. ‘Today we celebrate World Radio Day!’ wrote the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure (SETELECO) on the professional social network LinkedIn. It took advantage of the communication to reaffirm its commitment ‘to the modernisation of the sector and the transition to DAB+ digital radio,’ it said.

Radio SBS has expanded its coverage via digital terrestrial broadcasting (DAB+). As of today, the radio station can also be listened to via DAB+ in a large part of South Holland. Radio SBS in Utrecht has been broadcasting to the Hindustani community for more than 40 years. The radio station broadcasts a lot of Bollywood music, supplemented with news and information. Since July last year, the radio station has been available in the Utrecht region via DAB+. Last week, the radio station obtained a licence from the Dutch Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate (RDI) to broadcast on DAB+ via the local network in the Zoetermeer / Lansingerland / Capelle aan den IJssel region. As of today, Radio SBS has started broadcasting via this network.

As of today, a new radio station can be received via digital terrestrial transmission (DAB+) in parts of the Randstad: Radio Fomix. Radio Fomix recently obtained a licence from the Dutch Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate (RDI) to broadcast via the local DAB+ network in the Zoetermeer/Capelle aan den IJssel/Lansingerland region. As of today, the radio station can be heard via this network on channel 12D. "The move to DAB+ gives Radio Fomix additional opportunities to grow and further refine our programming. So keep an eye on our website and social media, where we will be sharing all the news about our launch on 12D and upcoming promotions," the radio station said on its website.

Listeners in western Bohemia can tune in to new digital radio stations from Tuesday, including Color Music Radio, Radio Hey, and Radio Sázava. After the necessary preparations and administrative process, the operator of the COLOR DAB+ multiplex network received the necessary individual authorization to operate the transmitter. All the technological equipment at the Klínovec transmission site was fully prepared in advance to avoid unnecessary delays. The entire system was remotely activated at exactly 3:00 p.m., when the digital signal first appeared on the airwaves. Currently, broadcasting is being carried out in test mode, which serves to verify the stability and correct settings of all network parameters.