News

Taneční rádio has already broadcast digitally in the past, between 2012 and 2019. Now, through a new company, it is applying for a new licence for terrestrial digital broadcasting. The new operator of SeeJay Radio is to be MS Radio Group, which is half-owned by Martin Černý and Hotinvest, the company of Hana Janíková, the wife of the station's original founder Svatopluk Janík. Although the station has not yet obtained a licence, it has already agreed to be included in the Prague multiplex of Fiera touch. "We have a preliminary agreement, but I will announce the cooperation when we actually start broadcasting," said Pavel Hájek, owner of Fiera touch, when asked by Televizníweb.cz.

The Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) [Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority] launched a public call for tenders for frequency authorisations for digital radio services. Only Levira submitted an application to participate in the tender, the Authority said. Participants in the open call for applications had to submit the required documents to the TTJA by 23.59 on 17 February at the latest, and the qualification of the application will be carried out by the TTJA within eight working days. The objects of the competition are three frequency licences in the 174-225 MHz band for nationwide use. Up to three frequency authorisations may be awarded to a single applicant.

On Tuesday, 18 February 2025, the members of Digital Radio Mitteldeutschland e.V. met in Halle for an important association meeting. Firstly, the founding members of the association, Prof Dr Ulrich Jumar from IFAK and Uwe Ludwig from Media Broadcast, retired after decades of commitment. Long-standing board member André Gierke, Head of Corporate Communications at Funkhaus Halle (Radio Brocken, 89.0 RTL), was then unanimously elected as the new Chairman of the Board. Together, the team is ready to tackle new challenges such as the introduction of the ASA standard, the optimization of DAB+ tunnel coverage and further marketing strategies in the three federal states of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony.

A new pop-up station from Virgin Radio UK launching today, will play music from the Britpop era. Virgin Radio Britpop, which is available on DAB in London, on the Virgin Radio UK app and smart speakers, will take the Chris Evans Breakfast Show every weekday morning from 6.30am – 10.00am. The station will play a mix of non-stop music, specials and sessions from the Virgin Radio archive, with bespoke programming from those who were a part of Britpop in the 1990s. Artists played will include the likes of Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Elastica, Cast, The Charlatans and Manic Street Preachers; with live tracks from Shed 7, Richard Ashcroft, Suede and many more.

A SERIES of new digital radio stations have been announced by Wireless Ireland. The company said the new stations would be hosted on a new DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) platform, partnering with FailteDAB. The broadcaster said it will "work closely with Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s media regulator, to secure the necessary content licences to ensure compliance with broadcasting standards and regulations". It added: "The new radio services will offer a diverse range of content, catering to a wide range of interests and tastes." The new stations are set to launch in the spring, with more details announced in coming weeks. Sean Barry, Managing Director of Wireless Ireland, said: “Wireless Ireland is proud to lead the charge in Ireland’s transition to digital broadcasting.”

The Digital Radio Broadcasting Technology DAB+ launch, which symbolises Turkey's digital transformation in radio broadcasting, was held at Çamlıca Tower in the heart of Istanbul, under the leadership of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and hosted by PTT Kule A.Ş. The launch was attended by Turkey's leading radio channels, as well as the presidents and delegations of TVYD, RATEM, URYAD. PTT General Manager Dr Hakan Gülten pointed out the advantages offered by Digital Radio Broadcasting Technology DAB+ and said: ‘Thanks to DAB+ technology, which redefines the radio listening experience in the modern digital age, we will offer a high quality, uninterrupted, efficient and wide coverage service in radio broadcasts.’

Radio Byoblu is being connected to DAB+ in Italian-speaking Switzerland. The station is the first Italian news & talk station to have a widespread presence in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland (with coverage of 95% of the territory). The initiative follows the agreement reached between Swiss Media Cast, the main Swiss network operator, and Media Pluralisti Europei, s.p.a., of which Radio ByoBlu is part. Broadcasting of the signal will take place from March 2025. ‘Being the first Italian news radio station present in the most important Swiss multiplexer, and therefore in the relevant territory, is a source of pride for us,’ comments Claudio Messora, publisher of ByoBlu.

A year and a half earlier than the development criteria required by the Czech Telecommunications Authority, the Czech Radiocommunications (CRA) nationwide network for digital broadcasting of commercial radios will reach coverage of over 80 percent of the population and the motorway network in the Czech Republic next month. While 48 per cent of the Czech population can tune in to the network from 17 transmitters and repeaters since 4 February, when the nationwide multiplex B started, CRA plans to launch 14 more transmitters in March. These will provide a radical increase in coverage, as 11 of these transmitters will transmit at 10 kW, one even at 20 kW.

Radio Metro continues its expansion and is now extending its broadcasts to Telemark and Vestfold, on local DAB. With this expansion, Radio Metro ensures continuous coverage from Mandal in the south to Røros in the north, which marks a milestone for the channel. ‘This is an important strategic investment that strengthens our position in southern and eastern Norway. We want to provide our listeners with an even better radio service and look forward to welcoming new listeners,’ says CEO Yvonne Stikbakke. ‘We are proud to be able to expand our distribution to Vestfold and Telemark. With this expansion, we can reach even more listeners and offer our unique combination of experienced presenters, good music and exciting competitions.’

Almost half of the 57 planned local DAB+ networks are now on air. With the switch-on of transmitters in Leeuwarden and Winschoten, the number has reached 28. The remaining 29 networks should be commissioned by 1 September this year. Some of the networks (allotments) were already on air before last September through temporary licences and have remained on air on a temporary basis or otherwise until the cooperation agreement between all licence holders is concluded and a definitive network can be built. Local commercial broadcasters that do not yet have a DAB+ licence, but still want to get in, will soon get a new chance. The RDI is currently preparing a second distribution round.