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How popular are digital radio stations? Český Blaník beat Český Impuls
21.05.2026 - Czechia Czechia
So far, the Media Bohemia group has earned the most from digital broadcasting; according to the latest Radioprojekt results for the last quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year, its new DAB+ programs have attracted 140,000 listeners per day. The latest Radioprojekt report provided the first comprehensive audience figures for new digital radio stations—at least those operated by major media groups. It confirmed the strong position of the public sports station Český rozhlas Radiožurnál Sport, which was tuned in by an average of 72,000 listeners daily between October 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more


Ireland gets first full time classical radio station
21.05.2026 - Ireland Ireland
Ireland now has its first terrestrial radio station dedicated entirely to classical music. all Classical Radio has launched online, on smart speakers and on DAB+ in Leinster under a 12 month trial licence from Coimisiún na Meán. The station is broadcasting from studios in Liffey Valley, Dublin, and is operated by RadioHub, the team behind Christmas FM, Rewind Radio and the Exploring Ireland podcast. Content Director Daragh O’Sullivan said: “all Classical Radio brings Ireland a new, uninterrupted home for classical music 24/7.”

(Radio Today Ireland) Read more


EBU calls on EU lawmakers to preserve radio in cars in the Digital Networks Act
21.05.2026 - European Broadcasting Union (EBU) WorldDAB Member
On 18 May, the EBU published its policy position on the Digital Networks Act (DNA). “The DNA has the potential to support a more connected, inclusive, and resilient Europe. But certain red lines cannot be crossed. In times of crisis, direct access to broadcast radio in vehicles is a lifeline and net neutrality protects access to diverse content. EU lawmakers must consider the far-reaching implications of the DNA and safeguard key principles within it,” said Vincent Sneed, Senior EU Policy Adviser, EBU. The key areas include: Ensure the availability of broadcast radio in vehicles: Direct access in vehicle to both analogue and digital terrestrial broadcast radio, without intermediaries, reduces the risk of information being blocked or diverted, and maintains access for all in times of crisis.

(European Broadcasting Union (EBU)) Read more


New guidelines aim to speed up the global roll-out of DAB+
20.05.2026 - WorldDAB News
Governments, regulatory bodies and the radio industry now have a new guide to assist with the introduction and expansion of digital radio. The global industry forum WorldDAB has published a practical guide entitled “DAB+ Public Policy Toolbox”. The free document is designed to speed up decision-making processes within public administrations and authorities planning to launch or expand DAB+. As FM frequencies are saturated in many areas, the industry regards the digital migration as the only sustainable option for further growth in the radio market.

(radioWOCHE.de) Read more


New in-car advertising platform: Excom Media markets DAB+ display ads
19.05.2026 - Switzerland Switzerland
The digital advertising landscape is expanding to include an innovative channel in consumers’ everyday lives: Excom Media is now taking over the exclusive marketing of Casablanca Advertising AG’s DAB+ in-car display advertising solution. The technology enables advertisers to display visual messages directly via the car’s radio display. The content is delivered via the so-called “Album Cover Service” of DAB+ technology. Originally designed for editorial content, this channel is now being used specifically for advertising messages. The adverts are broadcast every 15 minutes and are visible for three minutes at a time, ensuring regular repetition.

(Excom Media) Read more


New global policy guide aims to accelerate DAB+ adoption
19.05.2026 - WorldDAB News
Governments, regulators and industry leaders now have a new global policy guide, as more countries evaluate how to introduce and scale DAB+ digital radio. WorldDAB - the global industry forum for DAB+ - has released its “DAB+ Public Policy Toolbox”, a practical framework designed to accelerate decision making for public administrations and regulatory bodies planning the launch or expansion of DAB+. The Toolbox is available as a free download from the WorldDAB website. To build the Toolbox, WorldDAB commissioned South 180 to conduct a worldwide review of the public policy approaches that have successfully driven digital radio deployment. The report highlights the regulatory levers that enable digital migration and showcases the most effective policy measures used to roll out DAB+ across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

(WorldDAB) Read more


Radio Montenegro's stations also available via DAB+
18.05.2026 - Montenegro Montenegro
Radio Montenegro (RCG) has taken the first step towards digitalising its signal. The programmes of the Montenegrin public broadcaster have been available via DAB+ technology in the capital area from 12 May. "DAB+ is a new system for transmitting radio signals, used in most European countries, and in some countries has already become more dominant than the FM signal we have been used to until now. So, DAB+ is now starting in Montenegro. We are talking about a test signal, and our listeners will be able to hear the first programme of Radio Montenegro and Radio 98, that is, the second programme of Radio Montenegro," said Vuk Perović, Director of Radio Montenegro.

(Radio Televizija Crne Gore) Read more


#RadioInAuto: Confindustria Radio Televisioni welcomes the European green light for the mandatory installation of FM/DAB+ receivers in vehicles
15.05.2026 - Italy Italy
Confindustria Radio Televisioni welcomes the European Commission’s decision to recognise the validity of the Italian legislative initiative requiring all motor vehicles to be fitted with FM and DAB+ radio receivers. This is an important step towards ensuring that citizens have simple, free and immediate access to information, even in emergency situations or where there is no data connection. According to the President of Confindustria Radio Televisioni, Antonio Marano, ‘radio remains an essential safeguard for safety, pluralism and social cohesion. The European endorsement demonstrates that Italy has successfully defended a principle of public interest, even before industrial interests’.

(Confindustria Radio Televisioni) Read more


BBC Radio makes impressive start to 2026 as audiences enjoy unrivalled music and speech offer
14.05.2026 - British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) WorldDAB Member - United Kingdom United Kingdom
New figures across BBC Radio show how listeners consumed the BBC’s audio content in the first quarter of 2026. According to the latest RAJAR figures for the period (5 January – 5 April 2026), the BBC continues to be the number one radio brand with 31.4m people tuning in each week for live output across BBC’s radio stations, with share up on last quarter at 43.4% and reach at 54%. This quarter is the first where figures are reported for the new brand extensions on DAB+ - Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems and Radio 3 Unwind - which have all performed strongly since their launch in September 2025 with an average of 400K listeners each. BBC Radio 1 has a total brand reach of 8m 10+ listeners (7.4m 15+) with new brand extension Radio 1 Anthems reaching 433k 10+ (417k 15+) and Radio 1 Dance reaching 505k 10+ (437k 15+).

(BBC) Read more


SWR improves DAB+ coverage in the Moselle Valley near Neumagen
14.05.2026 - Germany Germany
Südwestrundfunk (SWR) is continuing to expand its network of transmitters for DAB+ digital radio reception in Rhineland-Palatinate. The launch of the Neumagen site will improve DAB+ coverage in the region. The following programmes from Südwestrundfunk will then be available on channel 11A of the DAB+ ensemble “SWR RLP”: SWR1 RLP, SWR Kultur, SWR3, SWR4 RLP (SWR4 Kaiserslautern, SWR4 Koblenz, SWR4 Ludwigshafen, SWR4 Mainz and SWR4 Trier), SWR Aktuell and DASDING. The Neumagen site will go live on Tuesday, 12 May 2026. The launch of the site will improve DAB+ coverage in the Moselle Valley between Detzem, Klüsserath and Brauneberg along the B53 and L48 on frequency block (channel) 11A.

(Südwestrundfunk (SWR)) Read more