News

WorldDAB and several of its members will be exhibiting at this year’s IBC. In the lead up to the event, we are conducting a series of mini-interviews with our exhibiting members, offering the opportunity to find out more about the digitisation of radio and what our members will be showcasing in Amsterdam. Find out more about Factum Radioscape’s reasons for attending IBC.

The Swiss radio industry is planning to gradually phase out analogue radio broadcasting via FM by the end of 2024 at the latest, and instead using DAB+ as its main broadcasting technology. FM radio licenses expiring in December 2019 will be extended until 2024, with the possibility of shortening the duration if the radio industry so desires. According to the studies available to OFCOM at the end of June 2019, only 17 percent used FM exclusively.

The public broadcaster for Germany’s federal states of Thuringia, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, MDR, published a research study that found that only 10% of the currently used effective radiated power (ERP) is necessary for the broadcast of radio services via DAB+. The study also found that on average, a two-person household uses approximately 2 MWh of energy per annum for receiving terrestrial broadcast services. Using DAB+ instead of FM could result in energy savings comparable to approximately 5600 households.

DAB+ is progressing across Europe and in France, the CSA launched in July a call for applications for DAB+ licences in 15 new zones.

Radio, media and advertising giant Global has launched five new DAB radio stations over the last week, to accommodate different music tastes through its top brands.

GatesAir has expanded its range of DAB radio transmitters and solutions to include multi-carrier and liquid-cooled innovations at IBC 2019. Many of the new innovations result from the company's recent acquisition of ONEtastic.

IFA 2019 will see over 40 DAB+ receiver manufacturers showcase their latest products to over 250,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries. As the rollout of DAB+ continues across Europe, strengthened by the commitment of the automotive industry, radio’s digital migration will take centre stage in the home entertainment, audio and mobility halls.

Radio programs will be available via FM until the end of 2024 at the latest.

Sam Jackson, Managing Editor of Smooth said: “Through these new stations, we can’t wait to introduce Smooth to even more people, as well as giving our existing 5.7 million weekly listeners even more opportunities to enjoy the music they love.”

Says Al Smith, Deputy Managing Editor of Capital XTRA: “This is a hugely exciting time for Capital XTRA as we launch a brand new station. It’s the perfect time to expand the Capital XTRA brand as we celebrate record audience figures, with 1.9 million listeners now tuning in every week.