News

On the nationwide warning day, functions of the new warning system via DAB+ radio, ‘Automatic Safety Alert (ASA)’, were successfully tested for the first time with pre-series devices from the TechniSat and Kenwood brands. From mid-2025, new generations of DAB+ radios will support the ASA standard and be available in electronics stores. In the event of a crisis, it is crucial that the radios are activated from standby mode and that the population is informed in a targeted manner. These two key functions of ASA have been successfully tested by the ARD regional broadcasters BR, HR, RBB and SWR during ongoing broadcasting operations. The results are analysed and incorporated into quality assurance. The radio stations are working closely with the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK).

For IBC 2024 RFmondial is introducing its broadcast DAB modulator / exciter LV5e module, which is designed for enabling transmitter manufacturers to enter the DAB broadcast market or for providing existing manufacturers an alternative source for their production. The LV5e is an OEM fully digital broadcast exciter, which can be easily integrated into existing transmitter designs. Built on a fail-safe, embedded platform, the module features crucial functionalities like: seamless operating on multiple incoming EDI streams, precise SFN timing control, advanced signal processing like crest factor reduction and limiter, as well as adaptive pre-correction.

The Principality of Asturias will enable Radio del Principado de Asturias (RPA) to broadcast on DAB+ digital radio from the first half of 2025. The Director General of Innovation, Research and Digital Transformation, Iván Aitor Lucas, has indicated that the regional administration will start the necessary procedures so that the regional public radio can incorporate this new technology that provides higher signal quality and that in the future will replace FM. Asturias becomes the second autonomous community, along with the Balearic Islands, to opt for DAB+ for the effective digitalisation of the distribution of linear radio content. The director of Innovation has valued this initiative as ‘an important improvement for radio broadcasting and the improvement of news coverage for the public’.

Today (12 September) marks the biggest ever launch in the radio industry since Global was formed in 2007, with a record 12 brand new radio stations going live today. The 12 stations expand Global’s market-leading brands, giving listeners even more choice from Global. Joining the Global family today is an incredible line-up of brand new radio stations: Capital Anthems, Classic FM Calm, Classic FM Movies, Heart 10s, Heart Love, Heart Musicals, Radio X Chilled, Radio X 90s, Radio X 00s, Smooth 70s, Smooth 80s, and Smooth Soul. On your radio, Smooth 80s and Capital Anthems are available nationally on DAB Digital Radio on SDL. All other stations launching today are available in London on DAB Digital Radio.

James Cridland writes: "I was at Radiodays Asia last week (and Podcast Day Asia as well, which I was programming). My time was mostly focused on the podcast bits, though I was happy to interview the excellent Jacqueline Bierhorst from WorldDAB on-stage (above). DAB is now gaining a lot of interest from a number of Asian countries, which is good - many are in “trial” (never quite sure what there is to trial, to be honest), but very good to see. And why wouldn’t they be interested in DAB? It offers, among other things, a surprising amount of new choice: allowing broadcasters to grow their offerings to attract more new listeners. The UK’s Global has just announced twelve brand new radio stations - all sister stations for Global’s existing brands (not sure what yet though). Wow. Meanwhile, its rival Bauer is to launch Greatest Hits Radio 60s, a spinoff from the main station. And the BBC is ploughing on with new services, too."

The annual IFA consumer trade show ended yesterday. Starting as a show with the first radios in 1924, this year it introduced a new electronic warning system for DAB+ receivers and networks, in addition to a wide range of TVs and other home electronics. The exhibition showed how the new features can be integrated into future generations of devices. For the first time at IFA, Frontier presented a demo of its Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) system on its stand in Hall 14, Stand 401, alongside receiver prototypes from Technisat and JVC Kenwood.

Flemish commercial network radio Topradio has added a new sister station on DAB+: Top2. Since Monday, this station replaces Versuz Radio, which ended on digital after more than two years. Top2 will be a full-fledged station with news updates and presented programmes. The station actually goes back to the basics of Topradio. The latter has become a bit more commercial in terms of music programming in recent years with artists such as Rihanna, Martin Garrix, Nightcrawlers, Tiësto and Faithless. Top2 can be heard on DAB+ channel 11A in Flanders and the internet.

In line with its commitment to increase coverage by the end of the year, RNE has started broadcasting Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3 and Radio 5 on DAB+ in Asturias from Cellnex Telecom's broadcasting centre in Gamoniteiro. From there, coverage is provided to Oviedo and Gijón, which means that it is now possible to listen to RNE broadcasts on DAB+ in 13 Spanish cities. On this occasion, a conference on digital radio was held in Oviedo with the participation of national and Asturian experts on the subject. At the conference, the Government of Asturias announced its intention to implement DAB+ in its territory. In this way, it becomes the second autonomous community, together with the Balearic Islands, to opt for DAB+.

Global, the Media & Entertainment group, has revealed the details of a record-breaking 12 brand new radio stations, the biggest single launch in UK radio history – set to go live across the UK on 12 September. Set to join the Global family is an incredible line-up of brand new radio stations: Capital Anthems, Classic FM Calm, Classic FM Movies, Heart 10s, Heart Love, Heart Musicals, Radio X Chilled, Radio X 90s, Radio X 00s, Smooth 70s, Smooth 80s and Smooth Soul. On your radio, Smooth 80s and Capital Anthems will be available nationally on DAB on the SDL multiplex. Classic FM Movies will be available in London on DAB on London 1 and all other stations available on DAB on London 3.

Our series of short interviews with WorldDAB members exhibiting at IBC2024 continues with Jens Schroeder, Managing Director, RFmondial, who says they will be introducing their DAB modulator / exciter module. RFmondial offers professional products and services for the digital broadcasting industry.