Newsroom

17.08.2026

United Kingdom

Lanarkshire DAB has recently began full operations, bringing new community radio services to parts of South Lanarkshire. Transmitters have been installed in East Kilbride, Hamilton and Strathaven, with the support of Avondale Radio in Strathaven helping to ensure coverage for the area. The multiplex now carries several stations, including Shire Community Radio, Rock.Scot, and Celtic Music Radio. Lomond Extra, a speech-only service, is also available and broadcasts interviews from Dumbarton-based Lomond Radio.

14.08.2026

National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member

Thailand

On 7 August, at the Crystal Hotel Hat Yai in Songkhla Province, the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) organized a seminar titled "Promoting Thailand’s Broadcasting Sector: Opportunities and Future Directions." The event was led by Air Marshal Dr. Thanapant Raicharoen, NBTC Commissioner (Broadcasting). The meeting aims to foster understanding regarding the criteria and licensing procedures for digital broadcasting networks. At the conference, MCOT showcased its capabilities in digital radio broadcasting networks.

14.08.2026

Netherlands

The audio from the TV channel NPO Politiek en Nieuws will be available via DAB+ and the audio streaming service NPO Luister from 1 September. The NPO has confirmed this to Marketing Report. NPO Politiek en Nieuws mainly broadcasts (live) debates from the House of Representatives, as well as press conferences, reports, history and current affairs (primarily from the NOS). The programmes mainly focus on political themes. With the service now available via DAB+ and NPO Luister, it will be easier to listen to political debates whilst in cars, for example. NPO Politiek en Nieuws does not broadcast any adverts. The remaining capacity will be used to improve the audio quality of NPO Klassiek.

13.08.2026

Germany

The members of Digitalradio Deutschland e.V., together with other stakeholders from the broadcasting industry, have released guidelines for the network-wide roll-out of the Automatic Safety Alert (ASA). ASA is setting new global standards for the dissemination of safety alerts via DAB+ radio. The publication of the guidelines was preceded by a development and coordination phase lasting more than two years. They are aimed at B2B audiences, including transmission network operators and broadcasters, who wish to assess and implement the introduction of ASA via DAB+. Together with the globally applicable ETSI standard for alerts via DAB+, the guidelines describe the entire alert chain, from the text message sent by the alerting authority to the activation of the receiver in the event of a crisis.

12.08.2026

David Fernández Quijada, Co-Founder, Research Director, South 180, and author of WorldDAB's Public Policy Toolbox writes for RedTech: "To ensure the availability of radio and its associated safety features in vehicles, governments can require the inclusion of broadcast radio tuners. There are several examples worldwide that demonstrate the growing popularity of this public policy intervention. Since the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) took effect in 2020, all passenger cars, including buses, sold in the European Union have been required to include a digital terrestrial radio tuner. The EECC illustrates how impactful this kind of regulation can be..."

12.08.2026

Slovakia

After years of testing, Slovakia is moving closer to the full-scale launch of DAB+ digital radio broadcasting. The major stations are therefore finally speaking more specifically about whether they will join the service. DAB+ digital radio broadcasting has been operational in Slovakia for years, but remains in test mode. However, the regulatory authority recently announced that, following international negotiations, Slovakia is moving closer to introducing regular nationwide DAB+ digital radio broadcasting. It has succeeded in setting up two nationwide networks that could serve both the public service broadcaster and commercial operators.

12.08.2026

Netherlands

“Broadcast radio's moment: resilient, relevant, irreplaceable” is the title of this year’s conference session at IBC2026 from WorldDAB, the global industry forum for DAB+ digital radio. Taking place on the Sunday afternoon of the international media and entertainment event in Amsterdam, and supported by Broadcast Networks Europe, the expert‑led programme brings together senior figures from across Europe to examine the developments shaping the future of DAB+ digital radio - from EU legislation and spectrum protection to emergency alerting, small‑scale innovation and new market deployment.

12.08.2026

United Kingdom

Lyca Radio is set to expand its Birmingham presence from Tuesday 1 September, moving from a limited‑capacity relay to full DAB coverage across the city through its partnership with CE Digital. The upgrade follows several months of lighter output while the station awaited wider transmission space. Raj Baddhan, Chief Executive of Lyca Radio Network, said, “Since launching our Midlands service, we have consistently explored ways to strengthen our coverage and deliver a clearer, more reliable listening experience. Lyca Radio Network has grown at a significant pace in recent months, and this expansion into full Birmingham-wide DAB is an important step in that progression, with further developments planned later this year.”

11.08.2026

Sweden

Seven days before the launch, Radio Aftonbladet is unveiling the latest presenters ahead of the start. Henrik Johnsson will be hosting the weekend programmes, Jenny Ågren is joining the radio editorial team, and Martina Thun will be partnering with Robert Aschberg this autumn. Meanwhile, the three news presenters who will be keeping listeners updated throughout the day’s broadcasts are already in place.scheduled programming will begin on 17 August. Radio Aftonbladet will be Sweden’s first commercial news radio station, featuring live journalism from morning to evening interspersed with sport, entertainment and music. The station will roadcast nationally via FM, DAB+ and digitally via Aftonbladet’s platforms.

10.08.2026

Italy

The CRDAB Sicilia Consortium is expanding its presence across the region with the launch of new facilities in Syracuse and Agrigento. This brings the total number of areas in Sicily currently covered by the consortium’s network to six, as it continues its expansion. Coverage currently includes Palermo, Catania, Messina, Trapani, Syracuse and Agrigento, with the aim of further extending the multiplex’s presence across the region. The relevant channels are 8A Agrigento – Trapani, 10C Catania – Syracuse, and 12A Messina – Palermo. The launch of the new transmitters represents a further step in the development of digital radio in Sicily, in a market where the availability of new DAB+ infrastructure is progressively increasing broadcasters’ reach.