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The Dutch audio advertising market continues to grow. In the second quarter of 2026, advertisers invested €70.2 million in audio, an increase of 6.1% compared to the same period last year. This demonstrates that audio is increasingly developing into a mature multi-platform advertising category. Linear radio remains the basis for reach and impact, while digital audio and podcasts further expand the possibilities for advertisers. This is evident from the latest audio advertising revenue figures from Audify. With over €62 million, radio commercials remain by far the largest segment within audio advertising. The strength of radio lies in rapid reach, daily touchpoints, and a high contact frequency.

Since 9 June 2026, local public broadcasters have been permitted to use two licences within the same DAB+ area. This allows stations such as Unity NL to expand their reach or launch a separate themed channel. The Netherlands is divided into 57 allotments for local DAB+. Initially, a local public broadcaster was only permitted to use one licence per allotment. Since June, this has been increased to a maximum of two. A second licence does not have to be used for the same programme. The RDI confirms that a broadcaster may broadcast a different programme via the second DAB+ slot. However, if the broadcaster holds an FM licence, the first DAB+ channel must broadcast the same programme as on FM simultaneously and without any changes.

RMF24 Internet Radio has begun broadcasting on local DAB+ multiplexes in Kraków, Tarnów, Częstochowa and Szczecin. The new Bounce Radio has also joined DABCOM’s Kraków line-up, whilst Dewuradio has appeared on the experimental BCAST multiplex in Wrocław. “The launch of RMF24 Radio on four local multiplexes is merely an experiment,” emphasises the RMF Group’s press office in a comment to Wirtualnemedia.pl. The first changes to the multiplex line-ups were recorded on Tuesday 14 July. As reported by RadioPolska.pl, RMF24 initially appeared in Kraków and Tarnów, whilst Bounce Radio joined the Kraków multiplex. The RMF Group states that its station has also been made available in Częstochowa and Szczecin.

On 20 July, Bayerischer Rundfunk will bring its new DAB+ transmitter site in Kaufbeuren into operation. This will significantly improve digital radio reception in the town and the surrounding area. The BR’s DAB+ transmitter network will expand to 93 sites. Via DAB+, listeners can receive the BR stations as well as independent stations, in digital quality. A DAB+ radio is required to receive these stations; the stations can be found using the automatic station search function. With the addition of Kaufbeuren, the BR’s DAB+ transmitter network has grown to 93 locations. Outdoors and on the move, DAB+ can be received almost everywhere in Bavaria; indoors, the BR’s digital radio services now reach 98 per cent of the population in Bavaria.

As a convergence metric for radio and online audio, ma 2026 Audio II covers not only traditional radio services but also the reach of online audio channels and combined offerings, user-generated radio stations, and convergence services. It also includes key reach data on DAB+ and online audio, as well as key metrics for podcasts. DAB+ has established itself as a key distribution channel in the audio market. Within the broadest audience, 35.6 per cent of the population uses DAB+. Reach is particularly strong among 30- to 59-year-olds; within this target group, DAB+ reached 43.1 per cent over the last four weeks. Those under 30 use DAB+ for more than two hours a day (listening time: 134 minutes). Among 30- to 59-year-olds, usage via DAB+ is even higher

ON AIR support says: "On 10 July 2026, following extensive planning, our Wannenberg transmission site came into operation. The new Wannenberg transmitter improves reception of DAB+ channel 11B on the B314, B34 and B27 federal roads. Furthermore, the town of Waldshut-Tiengen benefits from the additional transmission site. Many valleys in the Black Forest now also enjoy significantly better coverage. Last but not least, the Wannenberg transmitter provides good coverage for the Schaffhausen tourist region, including the Rhine Falls, as well as the Swiss border region near Hohentengen."

Bunnings Tradio, a partnership between Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) and Bunnings launched at the start of the survey measurement period on April 19, and formally on April 30. You can hear it anywhere via the SEN app, with it also available on DAB+ in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. For a first outing it was a pretty solid effort. Structurally sound, as a tradie might say. 65,000 cume audience across the three cities. SCA’s Heart and Heart Hits which were launched late last year to compete with smooth, are also building, Heart Hits more so. The most significant detail from DAB+ cume audience in Survey 4 is how much Sydney is embracing it. There’s some 250K additional listeners from this time last year.

PRK Polskie Radio Kierowców (Polish Drivers’ Radio), now in its sixth year of operation, achieved a record figure of 124,000 listeners in the latest Radio Track survey covering the period April–June 2026. This represents an almost threefold increase in listenership over the past three years. Polskie Radio Kierowców is a nationwide thematic station owned by Polish Radio. Although it has a distinctly motoring-focused profile, its audience is not limited solely to motoring enthusiasts; PRK’s programmes are aimed at all road users. "It is extremely gratifying that, despite being available only via DAB+, the app and the internet, the Polskie Radio Kierowców team is able to achieve record listening figures," says Paweł Majcher, editor-in-chief of Polish Radio.

More roll-out, more choice, more usage: DAB+ digital radio continues to grow in the first half of 2026 and is increasingly establishing itself as the backbone of radio broadcasting. Public service and commercial broadcasters are investing more heavily in digital distribution channels, a trend that is also reflected in listening habits. Several recent studies confirm this trend. The ‘Funkanalyse Bayern’ report, published on 23 June by the Bavarian State Media Authority (BLM), shows that a turning point has been reached in Germany’s largest federal state by area: For the first time, more people are listening to the radio via digital platforms such as DAB+, web radio, cable and satellite (48.1 per cent) than via FM (45.2 per cent).

Media Broadcast is continuing to expand its transmitter network for the first nationwide digital radio programme package in 2026. This year’s expansion began on 29 June with the commissioning of the Rottweil site in Baden-Württemberg. A total of nine further transmitters across seven federal states will be added in the course of the year. For listeners, this will improve reception of Deutschlandfunk, Deutschlandfunk Kultur and Deutschlandfunk Nova, as well as nine other private stations, within their respective coverage areas. By the end of 2026, the transmitter network of the first national DAB+ platform will have grown to 192 sites across the whole of Germany. The Rottweil site in Baden-Württemberg launched on 29 June 2026.