News

Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp urged the automotive sector to put more digital radios in cars. “Digital radio is definitely the future: I would not spend my money to an analogue radio anymore.” Henk Kamp made his statement on Business News Radio last Friday 24th of April. The show was broadcasted from the AutoRai in Amsterdam. (Listen from 00.34 of audio)

The DAB network provides a different opportunity to alert people when a disaster occurs. A bigger test of DAB+ and EWF (Emergency Warning Functionality) shows how the government can break into all broadcasts, even on radios that are in sleep mode, and also in several different languages.

Norway is tuning out FM radio for good, and becoming the world's first country to put a date on the switchover to digital-only transmissions. "Nobody's ever done this before and it's quite a nervous time for everyone," James Cridland, a British-based radio broadcasting consultant told AFP, adding that many other countries planning the change will be watching closely. "Norway is testing this out for all of us," he said.

The Pure Drive Digital follows in the footsteps of the Pure Highway 300Di, which was an aftermarket in-car DAB radio solution for any car. This adapter is for VW group cars, with four colour illumination backlight settings to suit various dashboards.

The transition to digital is just as important for the audience as it is for broadcasters. After identifying the major cost factors, BDR studied the range of broadcast high-power transmitters available and concluded that the new transmitter generation for DAB/DAB+ from Rohde & Schwarz (THV9) offered significant advances in energy efficiency, simplified maintenance procedures and proactive monitoring.

In an announcement today, an additional agreement on the migration to digital radio in Denmark identified the opportunities gained from moving from FM. The consensus is that FM shutdown is inevitable. A decision will be taken when 50% of listening is digital, new licences will be available by end 2015, and there will be a full transition from DAB to DAB+ by end 2016.

Denmark announced on Tuesday 29th of April an additional agreement on the transition to digital radio that sets clearer conditions for the migration to digital listening. The agreement largely follows the British digitisation plans which sets specific requirements that need to be achieved before an FM switch-off date can be set.

Pure in collaboration with Volkswagen Group, today launches Drive Digital, an in-car digital radio adapter designed and approved especially for VW group vehicles. The Drive Digital, powered by Pure, has been designed to fit seamlessly in most vehicles within the Volkswagen group, with four colour Illumination backlight settings to suit each environment and dashboard. Nick Hucker, Pure's Senior Marketing Director, says: "We are proud to be powering the new Drive Digital and bringing our considerable digital radio experience to Volkswagen Group customers. "This is an important step forward for the uptake of in-car digital radio adapters and will be a significant catalyst in driving a digital radio switchover."

SUN radio Nantes have launched business station Mysun Business on FM and DAB. The new interactive station is targeted at traders and businesses by offering them the chance to listen and share their favourite songs with other listeners.

75% of all newly registered cars in the UK now comes with DAB+ as standard or optional equipment. This number is higher than the figure from Norway. Norwegian car importers are now well under way to find solutions for upgrading FM radios, allowing car owners with old cars get good DAB upgrade options.