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Spain: COPE cuts back on AM again
12.03.2026 - Spain
In Spain, COPE, the second-largest national commercial radio station, appears to be phasing out several medium-wave stations once again. Since early March, no regular programming has been broadcast on a number of frequencies; instead, a continuous message directs listeners to tune in via FM or online. This concerns at least seven AM stations: Murcia (711 kHz, 6 kW), Ferrol (837 kHz, 2 kW), Zaragoza (1053 kHz, 20 kW), Orense (1143 kHz, 5 kW), León (1215 kHz, 10 kW), Badajoz (1269 kHz, 10 kW) and Valencia (1269 kHz, theoretically 50 kW), together accounting for 100 kW of transmission power. It has long been clear that the phase-out of medium-wave broadcasting in Spain has also gathered pace. At the end of 2025, the public broadcaster Radio Nacional de España switched off all its AM stations in one go.
(RadioVisie.eu) Read more
ZUN Radio "developing well beyond expectations"
12.03.2026 - Czechia
Ladislav Antoš, co-founder of the Czech radio station ZUN Radio—which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year—gave his very first media interview exclusively to the MediaGuru.cz portal. The station has opted to broadcast exclusively via digital channels, including both online and DAB+; there is no longer any room for FM broadcasting. How difficult is it in the Czech Republic to build and operate an independent station focused on a specific genre of dance music that doesn’t measure its audience in the traditional way through Radioprojekt? "Already in the first year we started operating, we were getting feedback, and it was clear that people were listening to us. So it was faster—basically, after just a few hours, we were already seeing feedback."
(MediaGuru.cz) Read more
100th service launched under UK small-scale DAB rollout
11.03.2026 - United Kingdom
A small-scale DAB digital multiplex in East Devon marks the 100th to be launched under Ofcom’s nationwide roll out of this innovative technology. Small-scale DAB provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves. ExeDAB, which is run jointly by commercial station Radio Exe and community broadcaster Phonic FM, is the 100th small-scale DAB multiplex to launch since the first service went live in December 2021. Paul Mercer, Ofcom’s Director of Broadcast Licensing and Programme Operations, said: “The small-scale DAB programme was designed to help grassroots community broadcasters, specialist music stations, and services for minority and other underserved populations to take to the digital airwaves.”
(Ofcom UK) Read more
Radio Deck 1 launches on DAB+ in Hamburg
11.03.2026 - Germany
The non-commercial radio project Radio Deck 1 will also be available via DAB+ in the Hamburg metropolitan region from 16 March 2026. Until now, the station has only been available via its internet stream. With its launch on channel 10D, Radio Deck 1 will be broadcast terrestrially via digital radio for the first time, potentially reaching several million listeners in Hamburg and the surrounding metropolitan area – for example, in their cars or via stationary and mobile DAB+ receivers. The programme is designed by various presenters with different musical focuses. In addition to music programmes, the station also offers special formats and editorial contributions.
(RADIOSZENE) Read more
Šlágr Radio has expanded its coverage again, with a third operator now broadcasting it in DAB+
11.03.2026 - Czechia
The music station Šlágr rádio continues its expansion within the DAB+ digital terrestrial broadcasting network. On Tuesday 10 March, a third operator, Fiera touch, joined the existing signal distributors. The newly established cooperation with the operator Fiera touch complements the existing signal distribution in the radio networks of Broadcast Services and COLOR DAB+. Šlágr rádio is available throughout its entire broadcasting network, with the exception of Prague, as part of the newly activated multiplex. Listeners in other regions covered by this operator can now tune in to the station on their digital devices. The operator has chosen a high data rate of 96 kbps.
(Český rozhlas) Read more
MIMIT clarifies procedures for digital radio systems
10.03.2026 - Italy
The Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (MIMIT) has provided an interpretative clarification regarding the application of Article 44, paragraph 1-quinquies of Legislative Decree 259/2003 (Electronic Communications Code) to DAB+ digital radio broadcasting systems. The clarification was provided following a request from Media DAB, a network operator consortium for digital broadcasting, which arose from the need to overcome certain interpretative discrepancies that had emerged at the local level in the application of administrative procedures relating to digital radio broadcasting systems.
(FM-world / Media DAB) Read more
Luxembourg government invests €64,000 to promote DAB+
09.03.2026 - Luxembourg
The Luxembourg government has invested just over €63,000 to support the arrival of DAB+ digital radio. This is according to a parliamentary reply from the Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister in charge of Media and Connectivity, Elisabeth Margue (CSV), to MP Dan Hardy (ADR) on Friday 6 March. “This budget financed the creation of graphics, displays on tram stop screens and in car parks between December 2025 and January 2026, radio spots, and the development and hosting of the dabplus.lu website. The campaign will benefit the 12 programmes broadcast on the DAB+ bouquet,” the minister points out. The government stresses, however, that it is not funding the infrastructure.
(Paperjam) Read more
DAB+ arrives in Cherbourg: a symbolic milestone for digital radio
09.03.2026 - towerCast WorldDAB Member - France
On 2 April 2026, DAB+ digital radio will be launched in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin with the switch-on of a towerCast transmitter in Digosville. This is a symbolic milestone for DAB+ in France: with the switch-on of this transmitter, all French municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants will be covered by this mode of radio reception. Digital terrestrial radio continues its rollout in France. On 2 April 2026 at 11 a.m., a new DAB+ transmitter will be officially commissioned in Digosville, near Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. The event is organised by TowerCast and the Ensemble pour le DAB+ association, in the presence of Romain Laleix, member of the ARCOM college. With this launch, the two national DAB+ multiplexes will cover the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin area.
(RadioActu) Read more
Šlágr Radio will launch on DAB+ within a month
09.03.2026 - Czechia
Karel Peterka announced in his contact program with viewers of Šlágr stations that Šlágr Radio will begin broadcasting using DAB+ technology. At the same time, he confirmed the intention to broadcast the program nationwide, so broadcasting via more than one operator can be considered a matter of course. According to him, experimental broadcasting on the COLOR DAB+ network served to verify that "we can hear the broadcast."Broadcasting will be carried out by operators who cover key areas with DAB+ signals, enabling signal reception in homes and cars. Peterka emphasized the advantage of launching Šlágr Radio on this platform. "Now you can take Šlágr with you wherever you go," he joked, assisted by singers Máry and Jindřich Švejda.
(Český rozhlas) Read more
FG Chic is coming to London on DAB+
06.03.2026 - United Kingdom
- France
Sacré français! FG CHIC, the nu-disco and lounge radio station from Maison FG, has begun broadcasting its programme in London on DAB+: FG CHIC LONDON. This is the fifth city in which FG CHIC is broadcast, after Paris, Monaco-Nice, Berlin and Ibiza. FG CHIC LONDON offers an elegant electronic music format in English, with Derrick McKenzie — drummer and DJ of the iconic British band Jamiroquai — as the main presenter on air. The expansion in London reflects Maison FG's broader international growth strategy. FG CHIC LONDON is headed by Lawrence Galkoff, a renowned figure in British television and radio with over 30 years of experience.
(FG CHIC) Read more
