News

Imagination Technologies has sold digital radio manufacturer Pure to an Austrian investment company, AVenture GmbH. Commenting on the deal, Pure’s general manager, Paul Smith said: “We have an ambition to grow, and under the umbrella of AVenture, we can achieve that. The future for DAB+ across Europe is extremely exciting and Pure is a leading brand in a rapidly growing market, driven by geographical adoption and digital switch over. We have a strong vision for the future with innovation at the heart of this, giving Pure a unique opportunity within the market.”

Media Broadcast has launched its 100th transmitter in Kreuzberg in Bavaria. The end of 2016 will be a total of 110 transmitter sites in operation

At an event held by the regulator AGCOM at the Italian Parliament in Rome on 27 September, AGCOM called for more support and further investment from public broadcaster RAI in the continued rollout of DAB digital radio. Citing the leading role taken by public broadcasters in Norway, Germany and UK in the rollout of DAB digital radio in those countries, RAI was urged to do more in terms of investment, to ensure adequate DAB signal coverage on motorways, tunnels, and indoors, and by offering new programmes and services to ensure a digital future for radio in Italy.

Data in the most recent WorldDAB infographic includes sales performance, current status and the number of DAB/DAB+ stations compared with FM/AM station.

As he explained at in a session at IBC, Graham Dixon,Head of Radio at EBU said digital broadcasting meets the needs of listeners and industry for terrestrial radio; it is important to incorporate DAB + receivers in mobile devices.

An opportunity to watch the presentations from the event 'Digital radio in Italy: an opportunity for citizens, the market and business’, which took place on 27th September. Please note the presentations are in Italian, except Patrick Hannon in English at 33min 40 sec.

The Sangean WFR-3, is a tabletop internet/DAB+ radio with trustworthy sound. The wooden cabinet gives it a great and warm sound. Its black color gives the radio a timeless design and fits in almost every interior.

The EBU’s Head of Radio, Graham Dixon, has emphasised the importance of maintaining a robust, reliable and contemporary platform for radio transmission at a seminar on digital broadcasting in Rome. At the event organised by Italian regulator AGCOM at the Italian Parliament, Dixon noted sadly, “we have seen during the past year's emergency situations and attacks in major European centres of population – Paris, Nice, Brussels and Munich. These are the times when people most need reliable information, and when any IP solution is most likely to fail due to overload, or even the necessity to curtail service to protect the public.”

Matt Hancock, Minister of State responsible for Digital and Culture at the DCMS, confirmed proposals for the deregulation of radio to be put forward before the end of 2016, saying “we asked Ofcom to examine the scope last year on formats, local content and local production requirements. The disparity between analogue radio and digital is obvious, with a lighter touch regulation on digital services. There are multiple opportunities for deregulation, balanced with the continued need for provision of news and locally-focussed content. It is essential that listeners can get these services on these new platforms.”

Radio-related revenues made a significant contribution as the DAB radio roll-out continues including BBC national DAB and commercial local DAB network coverage increasing to 97 percent and 85 percent respectively, plus the launch of a second national DAB network.