News

CSA’s decision to redefine the Wallonia-Brussels federation radio landscape for a nine-year term marks an important step toward digital radio development. The inclusion of independent radio stations makes DAB+ offerings in the French speaking part of the country one of the richest and most diverse in Europe. With 141 DAB+ licenses still available for local and independent broadcasters, the CSA plans to organize a new frequency round, which will allow more independent stations to go on air.

The European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) entered into force on 20 December 2018, and must be transposed into national legislation by Member States by 21 December 2020. It applies to all EU member states regardless of the status of DAB in each country. This factsheet outlines the rollout status of various countries implementing the EECC directive.

Public broadcaster SWR has announced its plans to expand DAB+ network coverage in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate in western Germany. The expansion is set to start in the third quarter of 2019 and continue into 2020.

Ofcom has recently advertised DAB digital radio multiplex licences for the Morecambe Bay, North and West Cumbria and Southwest Scotland areas. Bauer Digital is one of the largest operators of local digital radio multiplexes in the UK, operating DAB multiplexes across Scotland, the North of England and in Northern Ireland.

Italian public and private DAB+ network operators - namely Radio Rai, EuroDab Italy and DAB Italia - have expanded their respective DAB+ broadcast networks in anticipation of the law requiring all radio receivers sold to the public to digital radio capabilities.

In a move to promote the implementation and uptake of digital radio in Germany, the Cabinet of Germany has adopted a draft law requiring cars and certain consumer radios to be digital. The law is set to be in line with the EECC directive, requires all new car radios in the EU to be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio by the end of 2020.

According to new figures released by Rajar, listening via DAB grew by 23.9 million hours (or by 6.5%) year on year to now account for 38.6% of all listening and 69% of digital listening. Across all platforms digital listening grew by 58.9 million hours or 11.6% year on year.

According to RAJAR Q2 2019 data released today, listening via DAB grew by 23.9 million hours (or by 6.5%) year on year to now account for 38.6% of all listening, and 69% of digital listening. Digital listening share has increased to 56%, up from 50.2% in Q2 2018, while in-car digital listening grew by 20% year on year, reaching a new record share of 41.8%.

Malta’s DAB Multiplex Operator Digi B Network have selected the Observa Field Monitor for quality of service, content and coverage checks. As the transmitter network expands to improve indoor coverage, the Observa device will provide key data to assist in the enhancement of DAB service reception.

DAB+ digital radio continues to gain significant ground across the globe, and is expected to gradually replace FM over time. Here are some of the noteworthy devices you should be aware of when purchasing a receiver, and the features you should look out for before doing so.