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Šlágr Radio will launch on DAB+ within a month
09.03.2026 - Czechia
Karel Peterka announced in his contact program with viewers of Šlágr stations that Šlágr Radio will begin broadcasting using DAB+ technology. At the same time, he confirmed the intention to broadcast the program nationwide, so broadcasting via more than one operator can be considered a matter of course. According to him, experimental broadcasting on the COLOR DAB+ network served to verify that "we can hear the broadcast."Broadcasting will be carried out by operators who cover key areas with DAB+ signals, enabling signal reception in homes and cars. Peterka emphasized the advantage of launching Šlágr Radio on this platform. "Now you can take Šlágr with you wherever you go," he joked, assisted by singers Máry and Jindřich Švejda.
(Český rozhlas) Read more
FG Chic is coming to London on DAB+
06.03.2026 - United Kingdom
- France
Sacré français! FG CHIC, the nu-disco and lounge radio station from Maison FG, has begun broadcasting its programme in London on DAB+: FG CHIC LONDON. This is the fifth city in which FG CHIC is broadcast, after Paris, Monaco-Nice, Berlin and Ibiza. FG CHIC LONDON offers an elegant electronic music format in English, with Derrick McKenzie — drummer and DJ of the iconic British band Jamiroquai — as the main presenter on air. The expansion in London reflects Maison FG's broader international growth strategy. FG CHIC LONDON is headed by Lawrence Galkoff, a renowned figure in British television and radio with over 30 years of experience.
(FG CHIC) Read more
New station Virgin Radio 90s to launch on DAB in London
06.03.2026 - United Kingdom
News Broadcasting is to launch a new station, Virgin Radio 90s, on DAB digital radio in London and online across the UK. The station will launch on Monday 9th March from 10am. Bosses says Virgin Radio 90s builds on the success of Virgin Radio Britpop, the pop-up station which launched in February 2025. “Virgin Radio 90s takes that spirit and broadens it, delivering non-stop 90s hits, from dance floor anthems and R&B classics to pop icons and music legends of the era,” they say in a press release. The station will be nonstop music apart from a simulcast of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show. In the latest RAJAR, Virgin Radio 80s saw listening hours grow by 12.1% year-on-year.
(Radio Today UK) Read more
Nation Radio plans expansion to Devon and Cornwall
06.03.2026 - United Kingdom
Nation Radio will introduce regional programming across Somerset, Devon and Cornwall and has hired former Pirate FM host Scott Temple as PC. The service, currently broadcasting as Nation Radio Somerset, will add regional presentation and local content from 9 March before extending on DAB into Devon and Cornwall on 30 March 2026. Group Programme Director Neil Greenslade said: “The addition of local content and programming and the extension of Nation Radio’s coverage in the Westcountry is a huge development for our business. We see a significant audience opportunity for audience growth across Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.”
(Radio Today UK) Read more
KISS FM further expands DAB+ coverage
06.03.2026 - Netherlands
Radio station KISS FM has further expanded its reach via digital terrestrial broadcasting (DAB+). The radio station can now also be heard outside the Randstad via digital terrestrial broadcasting. KISS FM had already expanded its DAB+ reach on 1 September last year and has since been available in North Holland, Flevoland, South Holland and Zeeland via DAB+. In parts of North Holland and Flevoland, the radio station can also be heard via FM. As of 6 March, the radio station can also be heard in the provinces of Utrecht (channel 12B), Gelderland (channel 12B), Overijssel (channel 6A), Friesland (channel 5A), Drenthe (channel 7C) and Groningen (channel 7C) via DAB+.
(Mediamagazine) Read more
30 applications for DAB+ commercial radio licenses
06.03.2026 - Sweden
The Swedish Media Authority has now published a list of companies that have applied for regional FM licences and DAB+ licences. As regards DAB+, Aftonbladet has applied for one licence, Bauer for three, DB Media for two, Viaplay for twelve, Mad Men for three, Nayomi Elias Bairu for one, NRJ for two, Prodraft for one, Radio Nova for two, Skärgårdsradion for one and Tre 14 Media Group for two. This means a total of 30 applications, which happens to be exactly the number of stations that can be accommodated in the two commercial DAB+ networks. The licences are for the period 1 August 2026-31 July 2034.
(Radionytt.se) Read more
ACMA research: Australian DAB+ radio ownership grows
05.03.2026 - Australia
The ACMA has released new research highlighting key trends in Australian viewing and listening habits. The research comprises two reports which have been published on the ACMA website: How we watch and listen to content; and Trends and developments in viewing and listening 2024–25. The latter finds that "For the first time since 2017, overall radio ownership rose compared with the previous year, increasing to 43% (from 40% in 2024). Digital radio (DAB+) ownership also grew, reaching 26% (up from 23%) and more devices were capable of running on battery power (55%, up from 49% in 2024). Increases in both overall radio ownership and digital radio ownership were driven by younger Australians. Compared with 2024, more 18–44-year-olds owned a radio (27%, up from 18%) or a digital radio (21%, up from 14%)."
(Australian Communications and Media Authority) Read more
Ensemble pour le DAB+ urges French government to strengthen public support
05.03.2026 - France
France’s DAB+ industry association, Ensemble pour le DAB+, has called on the French government to increase financial and political backing for digital terrestrial radio following the appointment of Catherine Pégard as minister of culture. The association says it “reaffirms the support of radio publishers for the development of DAB+” and intends to continue working with the new minister to promote what it describes as a “modern, sovereign and accessible” terrestrial distribution platform. It frames its appeal within what it calls a broader transformation of the audio sector, marked by changing listening habits and the need to maintain radio distribution “without intermediation from digital platforms.”
(RedTech International / La Lettre Pro) Read more
East Devon DAB multiplex service goes live
05.03.2026 - United Kingdom
A new small-scale DAB service has gone live across parts of East Devon. ExeDab has extended its Exeter-based multiplex into coastal and market towns including Sidmouth and Honiton, bringing additional digital radio services to the area. To coincide with the expansion, Devon’s three small-scale DAB networks, ExeDab, TorDab and PlymDab, have introduced a spring offer enabling stations to access audiences across the county at a discounted rate. Paul Nero, managing director of Radio Exe, said: “This new investment in East Devon means listeners in growing towns such as Honiton and Sidmouth can now enjoy additional digital radio stations that cover their areas, while opening up new services for advertisers too.”
(Radio Today UK) Read more
VAUNET Media Usage Analysis 2025: Media consumption in Germany approaches 11 hours perday
04.03.2026 - Germany
In 2025, people in Germany consumed media for an average of 10 hours and 53 minutes per day. Of this, 9 hours and 38 minutes were spent on audio and audiovisual content – including radio and television as well as audio and video streaming – equivalent to 88.5% of total media consumption. Compared with the previous year, both overall media consumption and the use of audio and audiovisual content remained stable. These are the key findings of the VAUNET Media Usage Analysis 2025, published on 16 February. Average daily audio consumption in 2025 amounted to 4 hours and 19 minutes, representing an increase of 6 minutes on the previous year (2024: 4 hours and 13 minutes). Of this, 3 hours and 9 minutes – the largest share – continued to be accounted for by weekday radio listening (2024: 3 hours and 3 minutes).
(VAUNET) Read more
