News

Ostrava-based Radio Čas has become the third operator of DAB+ digital radio broadcasting networks. Following its parent network Broadcast Services and the GG Omikron multiplex, for which Broadcast Services provides technical support for its networks in Prague, Brno, and the Ostrava region, this program has also begun broadcasting on the nationwide network of RTI cz. In practice, this means that in Prague, Brno, and the Ostrava region, for example, Rádio Čas can be tuned in three times on DAB+. While it broadcasts at a data rate of 96 kb/s on the Brodcast Services and GG Omikron networks, it has 64 kb/s on RTI cz and is the eighth program on this nationwide network. "As of today, Ostrava's Radio Čas has been added to the RTI cz multiplex, which listeners can tune in to nationwide in DAB," RTI cz announced on Monday morning.

Radio Netwerk Nederland (RNN) has launched local DAB+ allotment 27 on channel 9D. The DAB+ distribution is primarily intended for the Leiden and Bollenstreek region, but can also be received in the The Hague region. The radio stations of BO (Bollenstreek Omroep, RTV Katwijk, UnityNL and Holland Centraal) can be received via this local DAB+ mux. The aim of the NLPO, the trade association for local broadcasters, is to work with broadcast operators Broadcast Partners and Radio Netwerk Nederland to have all 57 local allotments operational by 1 September. This will require a lot of work in the last ten days. According to their broadcasting licences, public local broadcasters must have started DAB+ distribution by 1 September at the latest.

Klassik Radio has been actively shaping the digital future of radio for more than a decade. Back in 2012, we were the first German radio station to voluntarily return FM frequencies in order to switch to the new DAB+ standard. At a time when hardly anyone was talking about digitalisation, we set the course for modern radio. More than 30 FM frequencies have been switched off since then. In federal states such as Schleswig-Holstein and Hesse, Klassik Radio is already fully digital. Now comes the next step: from 31 December 2025, we will also be saying goodbye to FM in Bavaria and switching to DAB+. We prefer to invest in the future of radio rather than in technology of the past. With DAB+ and streaming, we are taking Klassik Radio to a new level.

Frontier continues to support the audio industry with simple, turnkey connected audio solutions, allowing brands to build high quality audio products with minimal risk and cost. New solutions will be launched at the Berlin IFA show 5-9 September. DAB ASA with Kino 4 chip, Siena module: DAB Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) builds on top of the DAB+ standard and enables safety alerts to be automatically broadcast to listeners. Frontier will show a demo running on their flagship Kino 4 chip / Siena module that includes support for multiple colour TFT user interfaces with DAB slideshow images that may be broadcast as part of the ASA service. Frontier will be demoing their product range and new features during IFA in Hall 11.2, stand 281.

The TELEKO DAB1 digital radio broadcasting network has launched a new transmitter in the Vysočina region, Třebíč - Čechtín, with a power output of 10 kW. This is the most powerful transmitter in the network to date, expanding the availability of services in the region. In practice, this means that the signal will now reach areas where reception has not been stable until now. Listeners can now enjoy an expanded range of digital radio stations. For listeners who are fans of ZUN radio, the newly launched Třebíč - Čechtín location brings a significant change. This station is part of the TELEKO DAB1 multiplex, but it is not included in the RTI cz offering, which enhances its availability thanks to the new transmitter.

The Belgrade broadcasting company's station in Vörösfalu, one of the 12 largest in Serbia, is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The Belgrade-based public company has a network of 230 broadcasting and relay stations that provide radio and television programs throughout the country. The Vörösfalu tower covers the northern Bačka region. Dejan Stojanović, head of the Vörösfalu broadcasting station: "We were recently visited by the Minister of Information and Telecommunications, who put the DAB+ transmitter into operation. This state-of-the-art equipment replaces the previous 17 stations, and now this one DAB+ transmitter performs their tasks. All programs are compressed into it, and it covers the entire area, so the whole of Serbia is covered."

Another multimedia feature has been added to the Slovak nationwide DAB+ multiplex operated by Towercom. Radio Mária has started using the MOT Slideshow (Multimedia Object Transfer) data service, which expands the capabilities of digital radio with visual content. Slideshow is a supplement to audio broadcasting and is used to transmit image files, typically in JPEG or PNG format. In the case of Radio Maria, the logo is currently available with the multilingual inscription "Radio Maria." Most stations included in the multiplex already use Slideshow. The only exception is the Catholic station Radio Lumen, which has not yet joined this phase. The Slovak DAB+ multiplex, which is divided into three regions, currently includes 11 radio services.

Radio San Marino expands to DAB+. After Lazio, the Republic of San Marino's radio station can now also be heard in Piedmont. Broadcasting takes place via Media DAB's local mux, which transmits on channel 9C. Other regions are expected to be connected shortly.

The Ostrava radio station Rádio Čas is expanding its reception options as of 19 August 2025, and is now also available via RTI cz's nationwide multiplex C. At first glance, this step may seem somewhat surprising, but it nevertheless makes logical sense. The frequency allocation of the GG Omikron network could play a key role in the future. Firstly, the Broadcast Services network cannot be tuned in to in the Hradec Králové, Liberec, Ústí nad Labem, Karlovy Vary, Plzeň, or South Bohemian regions. The inclusion of Radio Čas in the nationwide multiplex C of the operator RTI cz ensures its presence even in regions that have not yet been covered. From a business perspective, this creates a supplement that extends the reach of the well-known Ostrava station beyond its original locations.

SwissRadioDay, on 28 August, will spotlight DAB+ in its session: "DigiMig Update: FM switch-off – what next?". The expert panel features Marco Derighetti, COO, SRG, Philippe Zahno, President, RRR, Peter Scheurer, Managing Director, VSP, Jürg Morgenegg, Board Member, CORALL, and Juan Widmer, Board Member, UNIKOM. Organisers say the session will cover: "How is the FM switch-off going in the four language regions? What lessons can be learned – and what does this mean for private broadcasters, who will follow suit in 2026? Voices from SRG, associations and the industry with facts, plain language and an outlook." SwissRadioDay is the largest and leading industry meeting of the Swiss radio industry, and takes place on Thursday 28 August in Zürich and online.