News

The Communications Authority of Kenya has convened a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Nairobi aimed at advancing the rollout of digital sound broadcasting (DSB) in the country, with a strong focus on licensing frameworks and regulatory compliance. The forum brought together broadcasters, signal distributors, equipment vendors, policymakers and industry associations to deliberate on the transition from analogue FM radio to digital platforms. This engagement comes as Kenya accelerates efforts to modernise its broadcasting sector following the rollout of pilot digital sound broadcasting services in Nairobi, and several other parts of the country.

Sports Entertainment Network (SEN), in partnership with Bunnings, is excited to announce the launch of Bunnings Tradio on DAB+ in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with the station also available nationally via the SEN app. Bunnings Tradio is a worksite playlist made for the trade and built for tradies, playing rock, pop, classic and modern hits - a soundtrack designed to keep your spirit levels up. Bunnings Tradio is a collaboration between Bunnings and SEN, with Bunnings Tradio on SEN’s DAB+ spectrum, and SEN producing the stations in partnership with Bunnings, curating the playlist, taking music requests, delivering sport updates and match previews, and incorporating Bunnings content including product reviews, trade tips and practical advice for tradies.

Bay Broadcasting is putting three of its music stations national via a new DAB rollout. Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8 are to broadcast on the FáilteDAB Mux2 trial, with Bay saying the expansion will bring its services to around 85% of Ireland’s population. The group says the move will give Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8 access to an additional 2.5 million people, while Classic Hits Radio will reach a further 1.2 million. The trial is expected to launch in the coming days and will cover much of the country outside Dublin, but not parts of the North West and South West. Bay Broadcasting CEO Kevin Branigan, pictured above, told RadioToday: “DAB works hand in hand with FM radio and will provide a seamless transmission network around the country alongside our existing FM.”

Karel Zýka, Director of Technology and Administration at Czech Radio, presented plans for the development of the DAB+ digital network at the Innovation Day conference on April 28, which include the construction of twelve new transmitters across the country. Part of this strategy also involves establishing close cooperation with České Radiokomunikace to test the ASA warning system, designed to effectively inform the public in crisis situations. “Emergencies are something we must be prepared for and constantly stay ahead of,” Karel Zýka emphasised during his speech.

On 22 April 2026, the Brandenburg State Parliament passed the draft bill for the new State Treaty on Private Media in Berlin and Brandenburg at its second reading. This marks a key step forward for radio broadcasting: the legal framework is being brought more into line with the digital future. The focus is on the transition from FM to DAB+. The State Treaty specifically aims to strengthen digital radio via DAB+. The government is pursuing two main objectives: improved technical coverage and greater programme diversity. The aim is for DAB+ to become the primary platform for terrestrial radio in the long term.

Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) has welcomed the GfK Survey 2, 2026 results, with commercial radio reaching a record 12.8 million listeners weekly. For nearly four years commercial radio has sustained audiences exceeding 12 million demonstrating its resilience and stability for brands. Lizzie Young, CEO of CRA, said: "A record audience last survey, topped again this survey. When a medium delivers at this scale, this consistently, it tells you that Australians rely on local, live commercial radio - and brands can too.” The shift to an audio everywhere approach has transformed how audiences consume content anytime, anywhere - with listeners moving seamlessly between AM, FM, DAB+, and streaming.

The 32nd edition of the EBU Radio Assembly took place in Sofia, Bulgaria on 23 April 2026, in the wake of the EBU Media Summit 2026. This year's Radio Assembly focused on two priorities that demand the attention of every EBU radio member. First, critical EU legislation affecting radio's distribution in connected cars is currently under review, and coordinated action across the membership will be essential in the months ahead – the Assembly provided space to address questions and concerns. The Assembly also marked Radio Ready's second year, with plans for the year ahead unveiled. Among the other questions explored was how we can continue to do our work at the highest standard while remaining impartial yet relevant in a space increasingly flooded by misinformation and content created by AI bots.

SBS Audio celebrates the Eurovision Song Contest, connecting audiences with the languages, music, and communities of Eurovision 2026. SBS Audio is also launching SBS PopEuro! For the month of May, SBS PopEuro is playing non-stop Eurovision hits – all the winners, all the 2026 songs and those songs that we’ll never forget. Turn it up from Friday 1 May until Saturday 31 May on DAB+ Radio, SBS Audio, and SBS On Demand.

The legendary radio station from the Benešov region is returning to the airwaves in a modern digital format. Listeners can now tune in to the station under its new name, Ráádio Presstón (formerly Rádio Presston), as part of the COLOR DAB+ radio network. Miroslav Pýcha’s company, JOE Media, is responsible for the technical operation of this network and handles signal distribution. The station uses modern digital distribution via the COLOR DAB+ network with a data rate of 72 kbps. With this step, JOE Media is further expanding its programming portfolio available to listeners with compatible receivers.

The educational radio station EDU Radio has joined another DAB+ network, thereby expanding its reach to listeners. The station has now been added to the multiplex of operator Fiera Touch, which provides digital broadcasting coverage within a defined territory. The station is now available not only in Prague and Central Bohemia but, thanks to this partnership, also covers other regions. As a result of this move, the station’s signal is now available in the Karlovy Vary and Hradec Králové regions, in the Vysočina region, and in Tábor. Media entrepreneur Pavel Hájek, who operates the multiplex, has also included the station in his Regional Network 11.