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The 2025 WorldDAB Summit convened on Nov. 20 at DPG Media’s headquarters in Antwerp, bringing together broadcasters, policymakers and industry partners. In her opening keynote, WorldDAB president Jacqueline Bierhorst emphasized the technology’s operational and commercial significance. “DAB+ powers the business of broadcast, and it delivers real value for listeners at home, at work and on the road,” she said. Bierhorst highlighted the continued relevance of the European Electronic Communications Code, which requires that any radio installed in new vehicles sold or rented in the European Union must be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio. “But this requirement applies only if a radio is installed in the vehicle,” she noted.

DAB+ developments across Europe were the focus of this year’s WorldDAB Summit in Antwerp. New figures showed that more than half of all listening in Flanders is now digital, with DAB+ accounting for nearly a third of total listening. WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst opened the event by saying that DAB+ supports radio’s long-term strength for listeners at home, at work and on the road. Jacqueline also urged the EU to take the next step in safeguarding broadcast radio by requiring all new vehicles to include a radio receiver as standard. She confirmed that WorldDAB is producing a public policy toolkit with South 180 and commissioning new automotive research to understand how drivers use radio and what they expect from broadcast services.

Imperial has unveiled four new DAB+ radios with official ASA certification. These are the DABman280 in silver and black, and the DABman220 and DABman120, both in black. The top model is the DABman280, which will be available for €219.99. The DAB+/FM radio comes with a CD player in a wooden case. ASA functions include warning messages, alarm and switch functions, location codes for warning areas and short alarm cycles for reduced power consumption.

Onic has launched Onic Christmas, a brand-new DAB+ station playing non-stop festive hits across the Leinster region. Broadcast in partnership with Marks & Spencer, the seasonal station is also streaming nationwide. Running from late October until the end of December, it promises to deliver wall-to-wall Christmas classics. Mark Cunning, Group Content Director, said: “We are thrilled to be unwrapping Onic Christmas as the perfect stocking-filler for audiences. It further demonstrates our commitment to listeners across Ireland and ensures that every moment — from hanging tinsel to Christmas Day — has the perfect soundtrack.”

The station, formerly simply known as Today Radio, announced a refreshed schedule to mark its ongoing rebranding, bringing in new voices and more music. Today marks the station's soft launch, ahead of its official debut on 1 December. Coinciding with its DAB+ rollout, the new identity introduces fresh voices while expanding flagship shows that listeners have enjoyed since its launch in March 2022. "We're going to change things up a little bit", said Sam Steen, head of RTL Today Radio, whose morning show will continue in its familiar slot from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday. Following Steen, Stephen 'Steps' Lowe (Head of Music) will host The Lunchbox, airing from 10am to 1pm, with a mix of classic tracks, current faves and future hits.

After 88 years, Radio Nacional de España will stop broadcasting RNE and Radio 5 on medium wave to focus its efforts, predictably, on the development of Digital Terrestrial Radio. The Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration is preparing a Royal Decree to develop this new radio technology, which is not dependent on the internet, entrusting the leadership of the deployment and implementation of DAB+ to RNE, the public radio station. The Royal Decree's deployment plan stipulates that RNE must guarantee 70 per cent coverage of the population with DAB+ by 2026 and 85 per cent by 2027. RNE announced this morning, surprisingly, in a commercial lasting less than 45 seconds, that it would be switching off its medium wave frequencies, both those used by RNE (formerly Radio 1) and Radio 5 Todo Noticias.

Flemish people are embracing digital radio en masse. New figures from the biennial survey conducted by IPSOS on behalf of Flemish Minister for Media Cieltje Van Achter show that Flanders has reached a tipping point in digital radio listening. By 2025, more than half (54%) of listening will be via digital channels (DAB+, internet or digital TV). This is an increase compared to 2023, when the share was 49%. Moreover, 30% of Flemish people now listen exclusively to digital radio, compared to 24% two years ago. This means that, for the first time, there are more Flemish people who listen only to digital radio than those who listen only to FM. DAB+ is the most popular form of digital listening, accounting for 32% of the total listening volume.

In the Netherlands, the annual survey conducted by Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) shows that 34.1 per cent of Dutch people currently have DAB+ at home and/or in their car. A year ago, this figure was 32 per cent. In terms of households, this represents 31.8 per cent (30.0 per cent in 2024). Ownership of DAB+ remains highest among men (from 38.1 to 40.0 per cent), in the 45-65 age group (from 42.5 to 45.0 percent) and among people with higher education (from 37.1 to 42.1 percent among those with secondary education and from 35.8 to 39.5 percent among those with higher education). Since 2012, Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek has been researching awareness and ownership of DAB+ via an annual sample survey of 5,000 Dutch people.

The DAB Italia consortium was awarded the contract to broadcast Vatican Radio programmes on DAB+ in accordance with the 2010 Agreement between Italy and the Holy See, following a procedure launched by the MIMIT on 16/06/2025. The outcome of the tender — which set high standards, direct responsibilities and reduced margins of tolerance — is set to influence the future balance of the Italian DAB+ market, setting a benchmark for transmission capacity, service quality and the economic sustainability of long-term models.

The distribution of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) via the Malang branch of the Indonesian Public Broadcasting Agency (LPP RRI) has received a positive response. This is particularly true of radio stations in the Greater Malang area and surrounding regions that are partners of RRI Malang. Several DAB+ radios were distributed to a number of recipients in a marathon effort over several weeks. After being set up from the RRI Malang digital transmitter channel, several radio stations in Malang City and Batu City, as well as parts of Malang Regency and Blitar City, had the opportunity to receive DAB+ radio. Several broadcasters benefiting from RRI Malang welcomed RRI's innovation and breakthrough in developing the DAB+ programme.