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With the launch of the first national DAB+ programme platform on 1 August 2011, a new era of radio began in Germany. Fifteen years later, DAB+ has evolved from the successor to analogue FM radio to become the key driver of radio digitisation. What began with just a few transmitter sites and a limited selection of stations is now a digital broadcasting network covering almost the entire country, offering a diversity of programmes that would never have been possible via FM. DAB+ combines the strengths of traditional radio – namely free access, ease of use, wide coverage and resilience to disruptions – with clear, digital sound. Germany is now one of the most successful DAB+ markets in Europe.

Belgium’s Flemish, French- and German-speaking communities have agreed on a joint position calling for radio reception to remain standard in new vehicles, according to Flemish political party N-VA. The country will take that position into European negotiations over the Digital Networks Act, arguing that drivers should not become dependent solely on internet radio and streaming services for in-car listening. Cieltje Van Achter, Flemish minister of media, Jacqueline Galant, French-speaking minister of media, and Gregor Freches, German-speaking minister of media, pointed to the need to preserve direct access to radio. “The car must not become a closed streaming platform. Anyone who wants to listen to radio while traveling should be able to do so directly,” they said.

Small scale DAB multiplex operators in the West of England are joining forces to broadcast BOOM ’66, a pop-up station from Boom Radio, across the region for one day only on 30th July. The station will mark the 60th anniversary of England’s 1966 World Cup win, reaching listeners in Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Swindon and along the M4 and M5 motorways. Each participating multiplex is locally owned and works closely with community radio stations in its area. Muxnet UK, which provides technical support to these multiplexes, played a key role in coordinating the broadcast. Nick Piggott from Muxnet UK said they are eager to help multiplex operators offer event and short-term services.

In the next of this year's series of short interviews with WorldDAB members exhibiting at IBC2026, Nicky van de Groep, Software Engineer, DekTec Digital Video B.V., says the company will showcase an end-to-end DAB/DAB+ demonstration in Amsterdam. DekTec is a leading manufacturer of PC add-on cards, USB devices, IP converters, and software solutions designed for the professional digital television and radio markets.

After years of preparation, Slovakia can look forward to the full-scale launch of DAB+ digital radio. The regulatory authority has noted interest in operating the first networks and is beginning to draw up conditions for future operators. Ivan Marták, chairman of the regulatory authority, confirmed to Živé.sk that the situation may soon change significantly. “As regards T-DAB digital radio, we have eight multiplexes available and over 100 capacity slots for radio stations. We are seeing interest in one or two multiplexes, which are already internationally coordinated,” confirmed Marták. The first concrete steps could follow as early as this summer. “We may launch a public consultation during the summer holidays to find out how this should be done,” said Marták.

DAB+ will return to television from 31 July to 16 August with a national campaign broadcast across the main French broadcasting groups. This campaign accompanies a new wave of radio advertising and comes as the roll-out of digital terrestrial radio continues to progress. Coverage will reach 80 per cent of the population by the end of 2026 and already exceeds 85 per cent for mobile reception. This campaign comes at a time when early August is one of the busiest periods on the roads. The advert highlights the benefits of listening to DAB+ radio whilst travelling. It reminds listeners that DAB+ offers clearer and more consistent sound quality, is free to listen to – with no need for an internet connection or frequency search – and provides access to the usual radio stations as well as a wider range of stations.

DAB+ continues to be rolled out across the Lyon region. TDF is bringing two new transmitters into service at Lyon Fourvière and Bettant (Ambérieu-en-Bugey), thereby strengthening coverage of the Lyon DAB+ multiplex. Thanks to these new installations, digital radio reception has been improved in Lyon, along the main roads of the Lyon metropolitan area and also in Ambérieu. This development allows listeners to enjoy an enhanced radio offering with ever-improving reception quality.

Exactly one year ago, we used these pages to take stock of the state of digital radio and, more specifically, the DAB+ standard. Where do things stand today? One figure illustrates the strength of the standard: global sales of DAB and DAB+ receivers have now surpassed 166 million units, according to new figures unveiled at WorldDAB Automotive 2026, held in Frankfurt on 11 June. The announcement was accompanied by new international consumer research confirming that radio remains a core part of the in-car experience and that drivers expect it to remain available, easy to find and simple to use. Against the backdrop of this event, we once again speak with WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst to explore the progress made over the past year, the latest developments and the challenges that still lie ahead.

Radio Souvenir has been broadcasting a programme of French-language chansons online for 20 years. The live stream is available free of charge worldwide. The station also offers apps for Android and iOS. Now the broadcaster is taking the leap to terrestrial radio. As reported by the online magazine DAB-Swiss, Radio Souvenir can now also be received on three multiplexes operated by Digris in French-speaking Switzerland: Geneva – Channel 10D; Lausanne – Channel 8C; and Lower Valais – Channel 10D. This unique radio station broadcasts round the clock, playing music by all the late artists of the French-speaking chanson scene from 1850 to the present day: from Aristide Bruant to Tino Rossi, Edith Piaf, Claude François and France Gall, right through to Johnny Hallyday.

The expansion of DAB+ continues to gain momentum across Europe: more and more countries are embracing modern digital radio and launching new digital services. In places where DAB+ is already firmly established, the number of available services has risen significantly in recent months. Listeners are thus benefiting from a wider variety of programmes and clear, digital reception. Radio is now broadcast via DAB and/or DAB+ in 31 European countries. Tests with DAB+ have already taken place in other countries, and the start of regular service is planned. The stations are transmitted in bundles known as multiplexes, or ‘muxes’ for short. Up to 16 stations can be broadcast on a single frequency via such a multiplex. This makes DAB+ significantly more energy- and resource-efficient than FM.