SRG SSR prepares listeners for all digital 2025
04.11.24, Switzerland
SRG SSR is making sure listeners understand why the Swiss public broadcaster is moving quickly to end its FM broadcasts. Swiss lawmakers set a 2026 deadline for stations to transition to digital, but SRG SSR is ready to make the change at the end of the year. In June 2024, the broadcaster announced it would leave the FM band at the end of 2024. Now, it is going into detail about the benefits of the full switchover, stating that “Analogue broadcasting modes, such as FM, which have been operational since 1952, have had their day.” According to SRG SSR, ending its FM broadcasts will reduce energy demands by several gigawatt hours of energy each year, saving a significant amount of money. Savings are also expected from reduced maintenance.
(Radio World) Read more…
Zorger: Schleswig-Holstein to transition from FM to DAB+ by 2031
05.11.24, Germany
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s northernmost state, will transition from FM to DAB+ digital radio by 2031. This decision, made by private and public radio stations, the state government and the state media authority, aims to enhance radio quality and expand programming options. The decision comes amid strategic shifts in broadcasting consumption in Germany. The “Audio Trends 2023” report shows a 19% rise in DAB+ radios in German households, now at 283 million. The transition will occur in phases from 2025 to 2031. By mid-2031, FM broadcasting will be completely phased out in Schleswig-Holstein with all radio programs accessible through DAB+ and online platforms.
(RedTech) Read more…
Three new DAB+ radio stations in Estonia
04.11.24, Estonia
As of 1 November, Estonia has three new radio stations on DAB+ from NOSTALGIA MEDIA, a media company known for its successful RADIO NOSTALGIA project, which is loved by listeners for its atmosphere and quality sound. The new stations are a variety of music formats: RADIO TOP is an Estonian-language radio station that offers modern hits and new releases of this year. NOVOYE RADIO is a Russian language radio station that emphasises music from the current year. ALL THE BEST RADIO is a premium radio station broadcasting in Estonian language, oriented towards people who like a variety of hits from the past and modern hits.
(Delfi Meedia) Read more…
RTI cz launches DAB+ in eastern Bohemia, receives authorisation for Montenegro and Stěžery
06.11.24, Czechia
RTI cz was granted individual authorisation for the use of frequencies for digital radio broadcasting from Trutnov – Černá hora and Hradec Králové – Stěžery. From both locations, it can launch its national multiplex C, which it won in the frequency auction at the beginning of this year. As in the case of the Moravian sites, RTI cz will also use the transmitters of Teleko digital in eastern Bohemia, which already distributes the signal of its radio Regional Network 6 from Černá Hora and Stěžery. Thus, four digital radio networks will already be broadcasting from Černá Hora.
(Televizníweb.cz) Read more…
(Televizníweb.cz) Moravia launches new DAB+ transmitters…
DAB+: New programmes for Saxony & expansion in Bavaria
04.11.24, Germany
In Saxony, there are new licences for four radio stations that can be broadcast via DAB+ digital radio. In Bavaria, digital radio has been expanded. Silvacast GmbH has been granted a licence for state-wide DAB+ coverage for the Free State of Saxony (channel 12A) for its “Radio Paloma Sachsen ’ programme. This was decided by the Media Council of the Saxon State Media Authority at its meeting on 29 October 2024. The SLM Media Council has also decided to grant BCS Broadcast Sachsen GmbH & Co. KG, based in Dresden, with licences to broadcast the locally oriented programmes ‘Radio Erzgebirge 2’, ‘Radio Lausitz 2’ and ‘Radio Zwickau 2’.
(teltarif.de) Read more…
(radioWOCHE.de) Antenne Schlager now also on DAB+ in Saarland…
Celtic Music Radio launches in Inverclyde on DAB
04.11.24, United Kingdom
Celtic Music Radio is pleased to announce that the station is now available on DAB digital radio in the Inverclyde area, the third Scottish area to enjoy such a service. “Celtic Music Radio has been providing a service via DAB in the Greater Glasgow and Edinburgh areas for some time,” said Alex Jenkins, chair of the station’s board of directors. “Inverclyde has been in the pipeline for a while so we are delighted to finally provide DAB there as it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering quality programming to more and more listeners.”
(Celtic Music Radio) Read more…
(KGV College) Read more…
Ofcom publishes UK “small-scale DAB frequency plan”
01.11.24, United Kingdom
Ofcom has published an outline of frequency block usage for small-scale DAB across the United Kingdom. The UK media regulator says: “The maps show which frequency blocks have been allocated to each small-scale DAB area that Ofcom anticipated advertising when considering the licensing of small-scale DAB. The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the frequencies used, or planned for future use, by small-scale DAB across the UK. With over 60 multiplexes on-air, about 40 more licensed and yet to come on-air, and 25 areas being assessed, the overall frequency plan is not expected to change significantly. However, all frequency plans evolve over time and the allocations depicted on the maps may change to some extent.”
(Ofcom UK) Read more…
Italy needs more DAB space
31.10.24, Italy
As Italy moves forward with allocating local and regional DAB+ frequencies, broadcasters are concerned the numbers don’t add up. The provisional national DAB allocation plan , PNAF-DAB, issued by the Italian communications regulator AGCOM outlined three national, 54 regional (27 of which could be divided into subregions), and 36 local networks. In 11 of the catchment areas, applications did not exceed the number of available network licenses. The remaining 10 regions, the number of groups looking to operate at least one of the area’s networks exceeds the planned capacity. Under the current plan, so-called “beauty contests” will be used to determine which applicant will receive a DAB+ licence.
(Radio World) Read more…
WorldDAB Summit 2024: programme brochure now LIVE!
One week to go…
WorldDAB Summit 2024 marks a significant milestone as it concludes Jacqueline Bierhorst’s first year as President of WorldDAB. Over the past twelve months, WorldDAB has celebrated remarkable advancements in DAB+ worldwide, including the launch of the Automatic Safety Alert system and the expansion of digital switchover plans across new regions.
Find out more about WorldDAB Summit 2024 with our Programme Brochure, available now on the WorldDAB website.
Time is running out to join us in Zagreb!
Book your flights before it’s too late and take advantage of the preferential rates at the Hilton Garden Inn Zagreb – Radnicka and Esplanade Zagreb hotels. For those seeking other options, there are many hotels in the vicinity to suit all budgets.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of digital radio’s premier event.
Videos of Summit sessions will be available online shortly after the event.
