News

GB News has extended its distribution partnership with Arqiva, in a significant new agreement which will help the People’s Channel meet its aim of reaching every TV and radio device in the UK. The agreement, which spans multiple years, includes Digital Terrestrial Television (Freeview) and Direct To Home satellite TV spectrum, DAB+ Radio spectrum, and broadcast connectivity lines. The deal reinforces GB News' dedication to providing free-to-air mass reach linear distribution on TV and Radio. Commenting, Marc Schipper, Chief Operating Officer at GB News, said: “We’re delighted to expand on our relationship with Arqiva, who boast an unrivalled record in service delivery.”

Radio Proglas, currently the most listened to regional station in the Czech Republic, is starting to reduce its analogue network. During May and June it will stop broadcasting on the first four FM frequencies. The move is linked to the long-term transition to digital distribution. This is an important milestone for the Czech radio digitalisation. The exact schedule shows that the first broadcast will end in Žďár nad Sázavou on 31 May at 12:04. On the same day, the transmitter at Jested in Liberec will also go silent, namely at 21:15. This will be followed by switch-off in Písek (30 June at 12:04) and České Budějovice (30 June at 14:00). All of these locations belong to the original FM transmitters of Proglas, of which six areas are to be preserved.

Local public radio stations that do not yet have licenses for DAB+, but still want to get in, have another chance. From Thursday, May 1 through June 11, they can apply for capacity on the local DAB+ networks. Early last year, the first distribution round took place for local public radio stations for a place on the 57 local DAB+ networks. At that time, interest proved high, as more than 90% of all local broadcasters applied and were also granted a licence. The State Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate says in the Government Gazette: ‘Since there is residual space left after the last distribution and there are a number of public broadcasters who do not yet have a digital licence, it has been decided to make it possible for these public calls to still apply for a licence.’

Bauer Media has launched a new radio channel in Norway. Hot Country is dedicated to country music – from today's greatest artists to the unforgettable classics. Country has never been more popular, and now the genre is getting its own channel which can be heard all over the country, says music director Sverre Vedal. It is a bit surprising that it is young adults who show the most interest in country music, says Vedal. The new channel, Hot Country, will be part of the P24/7 concept from Bauer Media. Just like the other channels in this concept, it offers a lot of music, few interruptions and a focus on the genre. Hot Country can be heard nationwide on DAB, online and in the Radioplayer app.

AKOS - the Agency for Communication Networks and Services of the Republic of Slovenia - announces the successful conclusion of the public tender for the award of 24 broadcasting rights in DAB+ digital broadcasting throughout the territory of the Republic of Slovenia. The Agency published the call for tenders, which was designed in two lots, on 5 July 2024. The decision on the award of broadcasting rights was granted to 24 radio programmes in digital broadcasting technology. The call for tenders and the expansion of digital networks represent a decisive step forward in the development of Slovenian radio with the aim of digitisation. The Agency also says it will continue to pursue the digitisation of radio within its remit.

RedArmy Group has confirmed it is to apply for the small-scale DAB multiplex licence for Stockton-on-Tees. The licence, which will cover around 175,000 adults, was advertised by Ofcom as part of its Round 7 of licensing. RedArmy Group Managing Director Dave Roberts says the sub-region has been a challenge to find the right transmitter locations: “Stockton is a relatively flat area. It doesn’t enjoy the higher ground other Teesside areas has, so finding the right sites has been tricky. Saying this, the local councils have been fantastic in supporting the location identification process, they really want to see their residents enjoy the benefits that small-scale DAB can bring.” RedArmy Group says it has already received many expressions of interest for the planned service, including new stations not currently on DAB.

On 17 April, a number of local radio stations started broadcasts via DAB+. These are broadcasters in the Drachten-Heerenveen and Assen regions. In the Drachten and Heerenveen region, Radio Centraal (Weststellingwerf), Smelne FM (Drachten), Omroep Odrie (Oosterwolde) and the commercial radio station Hotradio Classics can be heard on channel 10B since Thursday. Transmission is currently taking place from the transmitter mast in Hoogersmilde. “Later we will add an additional transmitter in Drachten to further improve coverage,” said transmitter operator Radio Netwerk Nederland. Via channel 12D the local broadcasters Omroep Assen, Radio Aa & Hunze and RTV Tynaarlo can be heard since Thursday. This network also broadcasts from the transmitter mast in Smilde.

Onic is set to launch exciting new DAB+/digital stations, offering enhanced sound quality and choice. New advertising opportunities will offer commercial spot packages and innovative sponsorship opportunities for brands. Onic are partnering with FailteDAB for the next step in the evolution of radio in Ireland, adding reach for broadcasters and choice for listeners to the already provided by FM broadcasting. The one year trial will be focused on the Leinster area. Onic will launch eleven stations, providing an array of entertainment from Hits to Movies and RnB to 80s. It opens up a wider choice for our listeners but also amazing opportunities across commercial spots and sponsorship for agencies and clients.

České Radiokomunikace (CRA) has launched the broadcasting of other commercial stations from the Active Radio group, namely Evropa 2, Frekvence 1 and Radio Bonton, on its DAB B network. This network now broadcasts from 31 transmitters and has a reach of 83.4% of the Czech population. CRA's DAB network allows for regionalisation of broadcasting, meaning that stations can deploy different content in each region. "We are very pleased to see more major commercial radio stations entering DAB broadcasting. We are trying to support DAB broadcasting both technologically and in terms of communication," says Miloš Mastník, CEO of CRA. Listeners can now tune in to 9 digital stations on the CRA's nationwide DAB network, some of which have higher coverage than FM.

The topic of civil defence is a very high priority for the Austrian Digital Radio Association this year. Last year, the first radios with the integrated ASA warning system were presented at IFA 2024. ASA - short for Automatic Safety Alert - is designed to reliably warn the public via DAB+ in the event of a disaster. During his visit to the office of the Austrian Civil Defence Association, Thomas Pöcheim, Managing Director of the Digital Radio Association, was able to discuss the current status of DAB+ in Austria and the planned measures relating to ASA with the Federal Managing Director, Josef Farda. In addition to AT-Alert, the ASA warning system via DAB+ will send timely and targeted information to the population via mobile phone in the event of a disaster.