Newsroom

29.09.2026

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) WorldDAB Member

United Kingdom

By the end of 2026, the remaining BBC Local Radio Medium Wave (MW) transmission services in Cumbria, Derby, Gloucestershire, Norfolk and Somerset will close. This completes a programme of MW transmitter closures that the BBC first announced in 2011 as listening habits across the UK began - and continue - to change. The vast majority of listening to BBC Local Radio now takes place through FM, DAB digital radio, BBC Sounds, smart speakers and online services. Over many years, audiences have increasingly moved away from MW listening and towards these alternative platforms.

29.09.2026

Germany

SUTON Radio has taken another important step in expanding its terrestrial coverage. The Hesse Media Authority has granted SUTON Media GmbH a five-year licence for the nationwide full-service radio station “SUTON Radio”. From 1 October 2026, SUTON Radio will also be broadcast via DAB+ on the Bad Kreuznach/Bingen multiplex on channel 12A. SUTON Radio is aimed in particular at listeners from the countries of the former Yugoslavia, as well as at people with an interest in music, culture and news from South-East Europe.

28.09.2026

France

Mandatory FM and DAB+ car radios in vehicles, an appeal to the Council of State against the reallocation of Radio France’s frequencies, a cap on public service broadcasters’ advertising revenue, simplification of legal notices, and the inclusion of IPG’s media in advertising placements: with the Senate committee due to examine the Lafon bill on 7 October, the Alliance de la Radio is active on all fronts. Its chair, Constance Benqué, who also heads Lagardère News, reflects on these.

28.09.2026

Germany

Kontrafunk, a station which has so far been available primarily online and via terrestrial transmission in Switzerland, is preparing to enter the German digital radio market. According to the broadcaster, it has now received nationwide media licensing approval from the German state media authorities. As a first step towards terrestrial broadcasting in Germany, the station plans to launch DAB+ transmission in Saxony.

28.09.2026

Croatia

WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst presented a keynote at Croatia's Weekend Media Festival, in the "Say DAB for the next 100" session. Radio has turned one hundred years old in Croatia. DAB+ brings digital radio with more channels, better sound and new content possibilities, but to reach its full potential it still needs to work on its recognition among listeners and radio stations. ‘Let everything change that needs to, as long as radio never loses its soul,’ concluded singer Neda Ukraden.

25.09.2026

Czechia

Český telekomunikační úřad [the Czech Telecommunications Office] has announced that the nationwide networks have successfully passed the next stage of their development. For České Radiokomunikace, the deadline for the second development criterion expired at the end of August, and for RTI cz, at the beginning of September. This milestone represents a significant step forward in the roll-out of digital radio broadcasting in the Czech Republic.

25.09.2026

Australia

NOVA Entertainment and New Zealand’s MediaWorks have partnered on the eve of the latter’s purchase by Sports Entertainment Group (SEG), to give Australian listeners access to some of New Zealand’s most loved radio brands through NOVA’s digital audio platforms. The Rock, NZ’s number one station for audiences aged 25-54, is already available additionally on DAB+ in Brisbane and now in Melbourne. NOVA Entertainment’s Chief Growth Officer, Adam Johnson, said: “MediaWorks brings a brilliant portfolio of distinctive brands with deeply engaged audiences, so we’re delighted to be able to bring them to even more listeners in Australia on our own platforms and on DAB+.”

25.09.2026

Boom Rock will close at the end of September as Boom Radio invests further in its main station. The decision comes alongside a £1m marketing campaign for Boom Radio, including a new television advert made from photographs sent in by listeners. The £1m investment covers production and advertising across television and social media. Boom Radio broadcasts on the UK's SDL National DAB+ network.

25.09.2026

Sweden

Retro FM has been granted permission by the Swedish Media Authority to move from DAB+ network 3 to DAB+ network 4. Retro FM has not yet commenced its DAB+ broadcasts. Its owner, Mad Men Media, has now applied for and been granted permission by the Swedish Media Authority to switch DAB+ networks. Instead of launching on Network 3, where Bauer Media, NRJ and Radio Aftonbladet are based, Retro FM will be broadcast on Network 4. This is the same network used by Viaplay’s channels.

25.09.2026

Radioplayer WorldDAB Member

Radioplayer has launched a major upgrade to Radioplayer Insight, adding a dedicated In-Car module alongside its established analytics. The new module gives broadcasters a faster, deeper and more complete understanding of how audiences use radio in cars. Data is processed within minutes, and the result is a real-time, actionable view of car radio listening at scale that captures listening across DAB, FM and streaming.