News

The Belgian radio industry is calling on the European authorities to make FM and DAB+ radio receivers mandatory in all new vehicles registered in the European Union, maRadio.be, RadioZ, La Craxx and Digitale Radio Vlaanderen stated in a joint press release on Thursday. Faced with the emergence of new-generation vehicles without radio systems, organisations fear that “universal, free and non-discriminatory access to information” will no longer be guaranteed. “By removing the FM/DAB+ receiver, manufacturers are threatening to turn free and direct access into a closed environment, monetised by the tech giants,” warn Belgian radio stations, whilst 95% of in-car audio listening is devoted to radio, according to the latest CIM study.

The Communications Authority of Kenya has engaged broadcast licensees in Mombasa on key developments shaping the industry’s next phase a timely forum aimed at aligning stakeholders, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring a smooth transition as the sector evolves. At the heart of the engagement was the migration to Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB), a critical step towards delivering clearer audio quality, wider coverage, and more diverse content offerings for audiences across the country. Bringing licensees together was essential to address emerging opportunities, clarify expectations, and support a coordinated rollout of this transformative technology.

Bauer Media Audio launches new radio station: FLOW is Denmark’s new musical alternative. A radio station that blends classic rock anthems with alternative pop favourites, striking a balance between the familiar and the tracks you don’t always hear on the radio. “There is a long list of artists who easily and frequently fill various stages at summer festivals. Many sell out arena and stadium shows, but they belong to a genre we rarely hear on the radio. There is a need for a radio station for the many music fans who enjoy this music and come together around these experiences – and we believe we’ve hit the mark perfectly with FLOW,” says Claus Thune, Content & Marketing Director at Bauer Media Audio. FLOW can be heard from 1 May on DAB+, at rayo.dk and in the Rayo app.

Vision Australia have informed their listener community that from July 1, 2026 they will no longer broadcast on the AM frequencies 1179 AM Melbourne, 1197 AM Adelaide and 990 AM Perth. Vision Australia Radio have provided the AM services for people who are blind or have low vision for more than 40 years and they will still be freely available on DAB+, via online streaming and through the Community Radio Plus app on a smart device. Vision Australia also has an array of podcasts. The CEO of Vision Australia David Williamson said in an email: ‘Transitioning away from AM broadcasting will significantly reduce operating costs. However, our program offerings will remain the same.’

České Radiokomunikace (CRA) continues to build a comprehensive streaming platform, and with the acquisition of Play.cz, it is expanding its portfolio to include radio streaming, along with the necessary technological infrastructure and key customers. “With the acquisition of Play.cz, we are gaining unique expertise, technology, and customers in the field of radio streaming, thereby completing our portfolio of streaming services. At the same time, this acquisition opens up new opportunities for the development of DAB broadcasting,” says Miloš Mastník, CEO of CRA.

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.