News

DAB+ digital radio continues to be high on the agenda for radio broadcasters and automotive manufacturers. Radio World takes a closer look at the user experience guidelines released by WorldDAB, and how to find radio's balance in the modern dashboard - pages 4, 5 and 6.

Radio Germany One is set to become the first English language radio station to be broadcast on DAB+ in Germany. The station is due to launch on 1 May 2019, and will be available to DAB+ listeners in and around Berlin.

Switzerland is set to become the second country to turn off national FM band and fully adopt DAB+ technology after Norway. As the country's radio continues its path to digitisation, the date for the switchover is set to be announced on 29 August 2019.

According to Ofcom, around 90% of adults in Britain listen to the radio weekly, and the amount of time we spend listening is rising. A big part of that is thanks to digital radio, which allows for more stations, stronger signal, and less interference. The best digital radios today offer top sound quality and slick interfaces – and at a reasonable price point too.

Audio brand Pure has joined forces with commercial radio to launch a Mother’s Day campaign offering a set of Urbanears wireless headphones free with every Pure DAB+ digital radio purchased. Industry body Commercial Radio Australia will launch a national advertising campaign today to promote the offer, with ads running on radio stations in six markets including Hobart, where commercial digital radio services were switched on three weeks ago.

The launch of Austria's new national DAB+ multiplex is set to take place on 28 May 2019. At least nine stations are expected to broadcast on the multiplex, which will also be audible in certain parts of southwestern Germany.

Regional public broadcaster Radio Wrocław are running a single frequency DAB+ network for small and local broadcasters in and around the city of Wrocław. The tests began in 2015 and will continue until the end of 2019 with a possibility of continuation. This article takes a closer look at some of the challenges experienced during the trial, their solutions, and the wider findings of the trial.

Local broadcasters have switched on a new DAB+ multiplexer in the Umbria region of Italy. Members of the Aeranti-Corallo association of local radio and TV broadcasters activated the new MUX, “Radiofonia locale digitale Umbria,” which transmits on the 10C block. This latest local digital radio MUX, which is located in Colle della Trinità, carries content from stations including Max Radio Classic; Radio Blu; Radio Galileo; Radio Studio Delta; and Simply Radio.

Regular DAB+ digital radio transmissions have now started in Allgäu, Germany, following an official launch ceremony attended by the President of the Bavarian State Center for New Media Siegfried Schneider. In 2020, Bavaria is expected to become the first German federal state in which all local VHF programs will also be broadcast in DAB+.

The Channel Islands are to gain their first commercial DAB multiplex shortly as Ofcom starts the process of awarding a licence.