News

KeyStone is proud to announce that it has achieved Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) technology provider certification under the initiative spearheaded by WorldDAB. This milestone highlights KeyStone's commitment to innovation, public safety, and enhancing digital radio experiences worldwide.

The first market figures to be published following the switch-off of FM broadcasting of SRG radio programmes on 31 December 2024 confirm what has been shown for years by the usage surveys commissioned by the Federal Office of Communications for the Swiss radio industry: the vast majority of radio listeners in Switzerland now listen to radio digitally. Three months after the end of FM broadcasting, Mediapulse SA's quarterly figures for radio usage can largely be regarded as reliable. The market share of SRG radio stations is down overall by -6 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024 - a result in line with forecasts. SRG remains the clear market leader with a 53% share, ahead of private broadcasters with a 41% share.

The digitalisation of radio broadcasting in Schleswig-Holstein is progressing: ‘RADIO BOB! rockt Schleswig-Holstein’ will be available exclusively via DAB+ and the internet (web radio, app, smart speaker and smart TV) from 10 April 2025. The rock programme is the first state-wide station to give up its analogue FM frequencies. In the Niebüll area, NDR is also switching its N-JOY programme from analogue to digital broadcasting. Private and public radio stations have reached an agreement with the state government and the state media authority to gradually switch to DAB+ digital radio in the northernmost federal state from 2025 to 2031. The aim is to offer listeners a diverse and future-proof radio landscape.

NRJ Group has published its annual results for 2024. The report states: "The Broadcasting division had an excellent year in 2024. Its revenue rose by +6.5% (+5.8% on a like-for-like basis) to €79.9 million. This growth is mainly due to the continued roll-out of DAB+ and the integration of RadioKing, which was taken over in June 2023." In the outlook for its radio division, it adds: "Internationally, the Group will focus on developing its positions, in particular through rolling out DAB+ and the Nostalgie brand in Germany and Austria." The report notes: "In 2024, NRJ Group cemented its dominant commercial position among individuals aged 25 to 49 in France, with an audience share of 19.6%... NRJ also cemented its position as France’s number one in-car radio station."

A Sheffield-based media organisation has launched their digital radio station this week. African Voices Platform officially launched its community DAB radio station on 1 April. To commemorate the launch, the team held a radio studio tour, joined by community leaders in Sheffield, providing a space for people to engage in creative discussions about the programmes. Enoch Karimba, director of partnerships and community engagement at AVP, said: “Our primary goal is to foster community engagement and promote cultural exchange across the continent, as well as the diaspora. By focusing on local stories, social issues and cultural expression, we hope to empower our listeners and provide them with a space where their experiences and perspectives can be heard and valued.”

A new radio station for Thuringia: ANTENNE THÜRINGEN is expanding its digital portfolio with Dorfkindradio. Dorfkindradio can be heard on DAB+ in Thuringia as of 3 April 2025. Jochen Fasco, Director of the Thuringian State Media Authority (TLM): "With today's launch of Dorfkindradio on DAB+, a fresh and innovative station is enriching the Thuringian radio landscape. The TLM is delighted to welcome this new member to the Thuringian radio family and wishes the Antenne Thüringen team every success in the further development of this unique format". Under the slogan ‘Because village children celebrate better!’, Dorfkindradio can now be heard by around 1.2 million Thuringians via DAB+.

At its meeting today, the Media Council of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM) extended the allocation of capacity for five Bavarian DAB radio stations. Dr Thorsten Schmiege, President of BLM: "The recently published DAB+ figures for Bavaria from ma 2025 Audio I are impressive and have confirmed that DAB+ is the future of terrestrial radio: DAB+ is the future of terrestrial radio in Bavaria. Today's decision by the Media Council strengthens Bavaria as a radio location, gives the very different DAB-only stations a tailwind for the future and contributes to the diversity of information and opinion in Bavaria."

The Dyleň transmitter in western Bohemia, which was originally announced at the beginning of the year, has launched the nationwide radio multiplex C. The network operator, RTI cz, has requested frequency coordination for five new transmitters. The West Bohemian transmitter Mariánské Lázně - Dyleň has joined the regional group of multiplex C transmitters referred to as ‘North-West’, which are identified by the abbreviation RTI cz SZC. These include the transmitters Ústí nad Labem - Kukla, Jáchymov - Klínovec, Karlovy Vary - Bohatice and Toužim - Třebouňský vrch. All of them broadcast on channel 9B and, in addition to the national radios, they can also distribute regional content.

EBU Members have today elected a new Radio Committee, made up of fourteen senior executives of public service media from throughout Europe. Re-elected as Chair for another two-year term, Sibyle Veil, CEO of Radio France, will continue to lead the committee in shaping strategic priorities that will define the future of public service radio in Europe. WorldDAB Steering Board member Javier Sànchez (RTVE) rejoins the committee, having previously served during terms 2019-2021 and 2021-2023. Optimizing radio distribution across connected devices, especially in cars, will remain an important focus for the committee, alongside advocating for stronger legal protection for radio in the EU.

A vital worldwide product certification scheme for the innovative new DAB+ Automatic Safety Alerts (ASA) system has launched, with WorldDAB appointing DTG Testing as the authorised global partner to provide testing and certification. The new scheme ensures that products with the ASA logo have passed the certification process, comply with minimum requirements according to ETSI TS 104 090, and are recognised as an ASA-compliant product. DTG Testing will issue the ASA Certification Mark Approved Product Licence. The DAB+ ASA logo on certified device packaging builds trust in the technology. Once the certification process has been completed, WorldDAB offers a logo and style guide for free, as part of a new marketing toolbox.