News

On September 15, 2025, NBTC Chairman Air Chief Marshal Dr. Thanapan Harijaroen presided over the opening ceremony of a training session on technical knowledge related to the digital radio broadcasting process for 2025. This training aimed to prepare radio broadcasting operators and NBTC staff members with essential technical knowledge and understanding of the digital radio broadcasting process, equipment inspection and certification, and related announcements and regulations. This training will serve as a crucial starting point for developing and elevating Thailand's radio broadcasting industry to international competitiveness. The training took place at the Best Western Hotel, Chatuchak, Bangkok.

On September 17–18, 2025, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, in collaboration with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), organized a workshop on "Building Your Own Digital Broadcasting Receiver Using a Microprocessor and a DAB+ Receiver" at the Thin 1 Room of the Academic Resources and Information Technology Building. This provided Telecommunications Engineering students with the opportunity to participate in training and learn about modern digital radio technology. The objective of this training was to provide participants with an understanding of the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) standard, which uses MPEG-4 HE AAC v2 (DAB+ Audio) audio encoding, enabling high-quality, clear audio transmission with reduced noise.

The Global Radio for Resilience Initiative, led by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in collaboration with regional broadcasting unions—including the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), and European Broadcasting Union (EBU)—seeks to highlight the enduring importance of radio as a trusted, accessible, and inclusive communication tool in disaster risk reduction (DRR). This call aims to document, celebrate, and amplify the stories of how radio supports communities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. UNDRR and its partners extend an invitation to broadcasters, unions, community organizations, and media practitioners worldwide to submit radio resilience case studies for inclusion in a global publication.

The 2025 edition of IBC – International Broadcasting Convention, one of the world's most important events dedicated to media and broadcasting, closes in Amsterdam, on 15 September. Over the weekend, Giorgio d'Ecclesia, CEO & Founder of Radiospeaker.it, was in Amsterdam to meet colleagues, companies and partners from all over Europe. One of the most important topics was the event dedicated to DAB, where ASA – Automatic Safety Alert was presented: a system that allows radios to turn on automatically or interrupt programmes in the event of natural disasters or emergencies. ‘A huge technological step forward that confirms how radio remains a vital and public utility medium,’ commented d'Ecclesia.

The fourth edition of the CIM Establishment Survey (ES) shows that the audio landscape in Belgium is shifting slowly. Radio remains traditionally strong in Flanders, but the way people listen has changed less over the past year than in previous years. The reach of DAB+ is still slowly growing. In Flanders, it rose from 21 per cent in 2022 to 31 per cent in 2023 and 32 per cent in 2024, only to increase slightly to 32.7 per cent in 2025. Men in the higher income category remain the pioneers, with 48.3 per cent usage, but it is striking that women in the same target group (40.6 per cent) have almost caught up. In Wallonia, DAB+ is climbing steadily from 18.4 per cent in 2023 to 21.7 per cent this year. Among 25-64 year olds, usage is highest at 25.8 per cent.

The SRG criticises private radio stations for their U-turn in deciding to stick with FM after all. Six answers to six questions following the National Council's decision to delay the switch-off. Does the SRG feel confused by private radio stations, which are pushing for FM to continue operating contrary to the original agreement? "The SRG clearly believes that the demand made by some private radio stations on politicians is a step in the wrong direction and does not correspond to the framework conditions originally agreed and confirmed by the federal government, on the basis of which we made our decisions."

Arcom has decided: to renew, from 1 August 2025 to 31 May 2026, the authorisation granted to SAS Coméquip to trial DAB+ broadcasting in Saint-Denis, Le Tampon and Saint-André; to authorise the aforementioned company to trial DAB+ broadcasting in Saint-Leu and Saint-Paul from 1 August 2025 to 31 May 2026; to renew, from 1 August 2025 to 31 May 2026, the authorisation granted to the Fédération des radios associatives de La Réunion (FAR) to trial DAB+ broadcasting in Saint-Denis.

Radio Junior, the only nationwide radio station for children, is celebrating its 15th birthday. Since its inception, it has been a safe space for children, where fairy tales, stories, music, and meaningful entertainment develop their imagination, teach them to listen, and encourage their sensitivity to the world around them. To mark its anniversary, Radio Junior has prepared a September full of new features for its listeners. Martina Flašíková, Director General of Slovak Television and Radio, adds: "Radio Junior is unique in the Slovak radio environment. It offers children safe and high-quality programming that develops their imagination, teaches them values, and brings up topics that are important to discuss." Listeners can tune in to Radio Junior via DAB+ digital broadcasting in their car or at home.

After a historic year, Fip is maintaining its programming schedule for the 2025/2026 season. This gives media+ the opportunity to discuss the station's highlights and the benefits of DAB+ deployment with Ruddy Aboab, Director of Fip. media+ asked: What does the rollout of DAB+ mean for Fip? "Thanks to the rollout of DAB+ digital radio, Fip's unique, feel-good programming is now more widely available across the country," said Aboab. "Not only will Fip be accessible across 76% of the country by 2026, but it will also offer much higher sound quality. We are moving from 10 FM frequencies to 189 frequencies via DAB+. That's the challenge for tomorrow!"

In addition to the various base-band and RF equipment featured by several exhibitors, as well as WorldDAB’s own stand in Hall 8, the footprint of the DAB+ digital radio standard at IBC2025 included its flagship conference session on the show’s Sunday. Hosted in partnership with Broadcast Networks Europe under the headline “Shaping the future of broadcast radio,” the session shared updates as well as lessons learned on the importance of broadcast digital radio. It focused on the latest global deployments and innovations. Bernie O’Neill, WorldDAB project director, opened with a brief update on the latest market developments for the DAB+ digital radio standard.