News

After three months it is possible to tune in to ZUN radio in East Bohemia again on DAB+. The multiplex of the operator Teleko digital, which left the programme at the beginning of October 2024, has been replaced by the Fiera Touch network. The entrepreneur Pavel Hajek from Vysočina thus gains another valuable paying customer for his offer. Five stations are distributed on channel 7D. The Fiera Touch multiplex includes not only five radio stations, but also additional services such as slideshow (visual information including the station logo) and radiotext. These offerings provide listeners with interactive content, such as information about the music currently playing or photographs. The programme line-up includes stations such as Color Music Radio, Energic, Hey rádio, Rádio Sázava and ZUN rádio, which will satisfy a wide range of musical preferences.

Another strong partnership for digital radio broadcasting was formed between the two winners of the auction of frequencies for commercial radio networks. GG Omikron, which auctioned networks for Prague, Moravian-Silesian and South Moravian regions, has agreed with Progress Digital to use its transmitters and infrastructure. This company belongs to the media group founded by Radim Pařížek, which is in direct competition with Czech Radio Communications, the largest domestic broadcaster. GG Omikron signed a service contract with the company in December, Jana Špičková, spokesperson for GG Omikron, confirmed to Médiáři.

Play.cz has been granted an individual licence for the use of frequencies from six Czech Radiocommunications (CRA) transmitters by the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU). It can thus start broadcasting on all six digital radio networks it won in the frequency auction. The permits cover the Žižkov transmitter in Prague (Regional Network 1), Beech Mountain in Ústí nad Labem (Regional Network 5), Kojál in Moravia (Regional Network 8), Hošt'álkovice in Ostrava (Regional Network 10), Černá Hora in the Krkonoše (Regional Network 21) and Kleti in South Bohemia (Regional Network 11). Play.cz can broadcast from Žižkov and Kleti with a power of 20 kW, and from Kojál, Černá Hora, Beech Mountain and Hošt'álkovice with 10 kW.

From Friday 14 February, the Netherlands will have a new radio station: CREAM. Where can you hear Stevie, Schubert and Sade in one breath? Bowie, Bona and Brubeck in a blend, and Michael, Miles and Mozart in the mix. From pop to jazz, soul and rock, world to classical and everything in between and beyond. CREAM brings together the cream of the world's best music on one station, with an emphasis on quality, diversity and discovery. With the slogan ‘Listen Further’, CREAM invites listeners to broaden their musical horizons. Programme director Merijn Tiemessen has selected thousands of tracks that form the core of the station. You never hear the same song twice in one day. CREAM can be listened to from Friday 14 February via DAB+, the app and creamradio.nl.

FORTA [Federación de Organismos de Radio y Televisión Autonómicos / the Federation of Regional Organisations of Radio and Television] - and RTVE have signed an agreement to promote the implementation of digital radio in Spain within the framework of collaboration established between the two entities, known as the ‘Compostela Agreement’. National and regional public radio want to remain competitive in the digital environment, providing a better service to citizens on the basis of a long-term service provision that can guarantee the future of radio as a media. The members of FORTA and RTVE assume a dynamic role as a meeting point that should serve to foster consensus with all the agents involved and promote the necessary actions to develop digital radio in Spain.

Jean-Marc Dubreuil, WorldDAB's Program Manager - France, writes: On 28 January 2025, the Paris Radio Show, France's only trade event dedicated to the radio industry, will open its doors to industry players. Among the participants will once again be WorldDAB, the international organisation dedicated to the development and promotion of DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting). DAB+, the digital standard for broadcasting, is gaining momentum worldwide. The Paris Radio Show covers major issues for the future development of radio. France is at a critical stage in the deployment of DAB+. WorldDAB offers an opportunity to discuss the trends shaping the future of digital broadcasting, and to share best practices in the deployment of DAB+.

In accordance with its commitment to increase the coverage of the service, RNE has begun broadcasting in DAB+ from Cellnex's broadcasting centre in Cerro de La Muela, from where it provides coverage to the metropolitan area of Zaragoza. In this way, Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3 and Radio 5 become the first radio stations in Aragón to legally broadcast in DAB+. With this, it is now possible to listen to RNE's broadcasts in DAB+ from 13 broadcasting centres in the standard that is set to become the long-term replacement for FM in Europe. It is estimated that there are currently more than 3.8 million cars with DAB and DAB+ reception in Spain.

At the turn of the year, the private broadcaster SUNSHINE LIVE switched off its FM frequencies in Rostock (92.4 MHz) and Stralsund (103.1 MHz). This measure affects many listeners in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, who now have to switch to alternative reception channels. SUNSHINE LIVE will continue to be available via DAB+ and via live stream on the Internet, so that fans of electronic music will not have to do without their favourite programme. The switch-off of FM frequencies is part of a larger changeover in which SUNSHINE LIVE is increasingly focussing on digital distribution channels. This enables better sound quality and a wider reach. In Stuttgart, however, SUNSHINE LIVE's FM transmitter will remain in operation.

NBTC Air Chief Marshal Dr. Thanapan Harayacharoen chaired a meeting on 19 December 2024 to clarify and provide understanding on the technical aspects of digital radio transmitters and receivers. The objective was to provide operators with an understanding of the practices and requirements after the Commission’s announcement on technical standards for digital radio transmitters and its announcement on technical standards for digital radio receivers were published in the Government Gazette. The meeting was held at Crystal Room 1-2, 3rd floor, Century Park Hotel, Bangkok.

Air Chief Marshal Dr. Thanapan Haraijaroen, a member of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), chaired a meeting in December to assist understanding around the technical standards of digital radio transmitters and receivers, as well as to enable operators and related industries to understand better the practices and requirements under the announcement after it was published in the Government Gazette on October 31, 2024. This announcement focuses on promoting the industrial sector in Thailand to be able to produce both transmitters and receivers by themselves to be used in accordance with the standards set by the NBTC.