News

Your radio stations will soon be available on DAB+ in Cherbourg! Radio is about to take a new step forward in Cherbourg with the arrival of DAB+. This technology marks a major evolution in radio broadcasting and helps improve access to everyday media. With this technology, the residents of Cherbourg will benefit from an enhanced and modernised radio service that is still environmentally friendly, free of charge and does not consume any internet data.

German electronics broadcaster SUNSHINE LIVE is consolidating its presence in the Swiss audio market and reporting significant growth for the second half of 2025. By tripling its digital broadcasting area, the programme can now be received throughout German-speaking Switzerland via DAB+. This technical expansion is directly reflected in listener figures, which have risen by 34 per cent compared to the first half of the year. This step is of central importance for strategic development in the DACH region. With a total daily reach of around two million people in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the brand is increasingly positioning itself as a cross-border platform for electronic music.

The airwaves in Nairobi are busier than most listeners might imagine. Although the FM dial, ranging from 87.5 to 108.0 MHz, appears to have ample space on paper, it is nearly full in major urban areas. Each radio station occupies 200 kHz, and with layering of licenses, interference buffers, and existing commercial stations, the available spectrum seems to be a finished product. In response to this situation, the Communications Authority of Kenya has launched a 12-month pilot project for digital sound broadcasting in Nairobi. This marks the country’s inaugural live public transmission of digital radio. While the project is small in scale, its potential implications are significant.

The RAJAR Audio MIDAS Survey is designed to provide context and insight into how, when and where audio content is being consumed within this liberated environment; including device usage, activities, location, who listened with. The Winter 2025 wave of MIDAS finds that the weekly reach for audio consumption that is solely listened to and not viewed, remains very high with 56 million adults or 96% of the UK population (adults 15+) doing so in a week. Live Radio is a perfect companion home or away. Radio content provides the perfect company for many of our daily tasks. People engage with several activities whilst listening to live radio, 61% of the listening hours are consumed whilst someone is driving/travelling, relaxing or working/studying. 63% of listening hours are consumed by traditional FM or DAB radio sets.

Albrecht presents the new DR 862, a digital radio that combines excellent sound with clear and simple operation – yet still offers all the modern features that radio enthusiasts expect today. The compact radio with a handle and an elegant retro look combines user-friendliness with powerful sound and stylish design in a high-quality wooden housing. The unique comfort mode prevents accidental misoperation, while the integrated rechargeable battery makes it a mobile companion at home or on the go. For important warnings, the DR 862 offers the ASA warning function, which ensures that listeners in their region are informed in good time in the event of an emergency, such as storms or flooding, even in standby mode.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has facilitated the activation of Kenya’s first trial Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) for radio services in Nairobi, marking a major step towards the future of radio as the world celebrates World Radio Day 2026. In 2025, the Authority granted Authorisation to two licensees: Signet Signal Distributors Ltd and Mast Rental Services Ltd, to deploy Trial Networks for Digital Sound Broadcasting. In January 2026, Mast Rental became the first operator to deploy a DAB+ trial network and currently carries 14 radio programmes within the Nairobi coverage area. The Authority shall conduct monitoring and evaluation of the network over the 12-month trial deployment period.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that DAB+ is a technology that offers a clear sound experience free from interference and increases frequency efficiency with its capacity to accommodate multiple radio channels on the same frequency. Minister Uraloğlu said, "With DAB+, we have added 448 new radio frequencies to Istanbul. Fifteen of our radio channels, both public and private, are now broadcasting using this new technology." Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu made a written statement about the new generation digital radio broadcasting DAB+, which was launched on 13 February 2025, World Radio Day, at the Digital Radio Broadcasting Launch Ceremony.

BBC Radio Jersey and BBC Radio Guernsey will stop broadcasting on medium wave from 31 March 2026. In an FAQ published alongside the announcement, the BBC said it had reviewed coverage across FM, MW and digital platforms, identifying duplication between medium wave and other services following the roll-out of DAB across the islands in 2021. It added that medium wave transmitters are “unlikely to be value for money in the longer term”. The corporation said newer platforms provide an improved listening experience and confirmed the medium wave estate will continue to be reviewed periodically. Coverage of the States of Deliberation will remain available on BBC Guernsey Extra on DAB and through the States of Deliberation website.

Chelmsford celebrated a major milestone in its long and storied broadcasting heritage with the official launch of Chelmsford Digital Radio, the city’s new small‑scale DAB multiplex designed to bring a richer, more diverse range of radio services to local listeners. The event was marked by an opening address delivered by the Mayor, who highlighted Chelmsford’s profound connection to the origins of wireless communication and broadcasting. The launch date holds special historical significance: 14 February 2026 marks exactly 104 years since the first regular entertainment radio station, 2MT Writtle, began broadcasting on 14 February 1922. In her speech, the Mayor spoke about the city’s pioneering contribution to wireless technology, beginning with Guglielmo Marconi’s groundbreaking work in Chelmsford and how the spirit of innovation continues into the digital era.

Bauer Media Audio marks World Radio Day by joining an unprecedented demonstration of industry-wide unity. In an historic first, the broadcaster has joined many of Europe’s most influential radio and audio operators to launch ‘Connected Journeys’ - a campaign celebrating the unique joy of listening to the radio in the car. Many of the broadcasters supporting The Connected Journeys Campaign are members of the cross-industry initiative Radio Ready for Connected Cars alongside Bauer Media Group. Radio Ready for Connected Cars is the cross-industry campaign working to secure the future of in-car radio. As automotive technology provides ever-increasing options for listeners in connected vehicles, Radio Ready aims to ensure they retain convenient, instant access to in-car radio.