Absolut Radio AI to go live via DAB+

 AI (Artificial Intelligence) is currently the hot topic in the tech world, in society and in companies. Media companies move between rejection and innovation. Antenne Deutschland took a courageous step very early on and launched a fully AI-moderated station and put it online. The success now calls for the next logical step. Absolut Radio is going into terrestrial broadcasting in the Braunschweig area via DAB+. "The somewhat unexpected great success of Absolut Radio AI has virtually forced us to take this step," says Mirko Drenger, CEO of Antenne Deutschland. "AI presenter kAI has generated an enormous number of fans in just a few weeks. The streaming numbers are increasing daily. Braunschweig is a start. The sustainable success of DAB+ in Germany means that there are few free capacities. Of course, we do not rule out national distribution in the future," Drenger continues

German-speaking Belgium gets green light for DAB+

 The Belgian German-speaking Community’s Medienrat (Media Council) has given the go-ahead for private radio stations to enter the pilot project for the recently started DAB+ mux 8A operated by public broadcaster Belgischer Rundfunk (BRF). With no initiatives taken in Eastern Belgium, BRF decided to take the lead and set up a DAB+ network. The German-speaking Community — one of the three federal communities of Belgium — lies on the country’s eastern border with Germany.

F.WDAB

New radio station for NRW: bigFM to broadcast via DAB+ from 1 September

 A new radio station will be launched in North Rhine-Westphalia via DAB+ on 1 September with the national media brand bigFM. "We are delighted that bigFM with Germany's biggest beats will finally be heard on the radio throughout North Rhine-Westphalia," says bigFM Programme Director Patrick Morgan. "The whole team around the morning show presenters Kristina Fixemer and Rolf Vogel have been waiting for this for a long time.

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Australian DAB+ listening up 14.2% at breakfast

 Australians are listening to 23 minutes more commercial radio year on year, underpinned by a love of breakfast radio, 2.8 million people aged 10-24 listening, and commercial radio’s ability to be with people wherever they are, the latest GfK Radio Survey 5 has revealed. Commercial DAB+ listening is up 5.3% to 2.7 million people from the same period last year. Breakfast DAB+ listening was up 14.2%. “Commercial radio listening remains strong across the board, with over 12.1 million people tuning in. Underlying this strength is the continued powerhouse of breakfast radio,” Ford Ennals, CEO of CRA said

F.WDAB

Public radio stations get even better reception via DAB+

 Public radio stations can be received even better via DAB+ from 1 September. Fifteen DAB+ transmission locations will be added, improving reception on the Wadden Islands, the South Holland islands and the neighbouring Zeeland islands, among others. Broadcast Partners will become the supplier of NPO's DAB+ network on 1 September. From that date, the station park for NPO will be expanded to a total of 61 transmitter locations. "As a public broadcaster, we want to be there for everyone," says Jurre Bosman, director of Audio NPO. "DAB+ has the big advantage that we can distribute more stations, such as NPO Radio 5, NPO FunX, NPO Soul & Jazz and NPO Sterren NL."

F.WDAB

House Party Radio expands from Blackpool to Warrington

 House Party Radio has launched on the small-scale DAB multiplex in Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn. The digital service started three years ago by Station Director John Beddows, also known as Johnny Bee, who has been hosting a radio show of the same name for over 15 years. John commented: “We are extremely excited to bring House Party Radio to DAB across Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn from the 18th August. With thanks to David Duffy and the team.” The station says Warrington is just the second small-scale DAB+ multiplex it is planning to appear on in the Northwest, after launching in Blackpool in December last year.

F.WDAB

MIMAS DX

 

DAB+ licences for Sweden's DB Media, Mad Men Media and Skärgårdsradion

 The Swedish Press, Radio and TV Authority has announced seven new national and one regional licence for digital commercial radio. The licences include Arabic radio and sports radio. Malmö-based Mad Men Media has been granted five national licences. DB Media in Staffanstorp receives a national licence for the new channel Dansbandskanalen Klassiker. DB Media also receives a regional licence in Skåne for Guldkanalen Country. Skärgårdsradion, which already has a regional licence in Stockholm, can now broadcast nationally. The licences are valid from 1 September to 31 July 2026. 21 national licences and three regional licences have already been awarded in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Skåne

F.WDAB

DAB trial launched in Ghana

 The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Honourable Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has officially launched the trial phase of the Digital Audio Broadcasting service in Ghana. With the launch, Ghana becomes the first country in West Africa and the fourth on the continent to deploy the DAB service. The DAB platform in Ghana is being implemented by the National Communications Authority (NCA), and involves 18 stations – 11 based in Accra and 7 in Kumasi. With the commencement of the trial, listeners in the two cities will be able to access any of the stations using DAB+ receivers. The initial trial is expected to last six months after which the NCA will review and decide the next phase of its deployment.

F.WDAB

Radio and Maui: broadcast radio's emergency resilience

 Chris Leonard, president of the Hawaii Association of Broadcasters: "All of the (cellular) infrastructure was gone the night of the fires. I'm sitting in my house in Hilo yelling at my television at 11 at night as I'm watching a communications staffer from Maui County talk about the fact that all the the Internet is down, cell service is down, phone service is down, cable is down. I called almost all of the major radio groups on Maui the following morning. “Hey, are you guys all on? How late did you stay on last night? Are you aware of anybody else on the island that's off? And they said, “No, we were on we were on live until late in the evening

F.WDAB

Huntsville Hamfest 2023

 

Amber Radio to launch on DAB in Norfolk

 Amber Radio is a local radio station for Norwich and Norfolk launching in early September. The new station will be available on DAB via the Norfolk local digital multiplex and will include a line-up featuring familiar names from the county’s former commercial station, Radio Broadland. The idea for the station, which will run as a not-for-profit venture, was developed during lockdown by Mike Stewart, the original Programme Controller of Radio Broadland and later MD of the former SGR fm in Ipswich and Colchester. Mike Stewart said: “Our aim at Amber Radio is to bring back real local independent radio to Norwich and Norfolk."

F.WDAB

Radio Serie A with RDS kicks off: 'Thanks to the whole RDS team,' says Massimiliano Montefusco

 "With great satisfaction, on 19 August we officially start Radio Serie A with RDS with the new football league season, I thank the Lega Serie A for choosing us as a partner in this very important industrial project," RDS General Manager Massimiliano Montefusco says on LinkedIn. The broadcaster - with three locations in Milan, Florence and Rome - will make its debut at 7 a.m. with broadcasting on the DAB Italia mux

F WDAB

Emitel will carry DAB+ broadcasts in three more Polish cities

 A tender is underway for the broadcasting and coverage expansion of the Polish Radio DAB+ multiplex. The public broadcaster has decided that broadcasting in Katowice, Łódź and Opole will be carried out by Emitel. The scope of the contract includes 'signal backhaul services to broadcast stations and the dissemination of a multiplex signal in the DAB+ standard, together with the extension of broadcast coverage'. This work will be carried out from 1 October 2023. In some of the areas covered by the contracts, the extension of coverage may take place this autumn, in others from 1 January 2024.

F.WDAB

Radio TV Serie A with RDS launch is approaching

 Lia Capizzi, a sports journalist who has been a prominent player on TV for years, but with radio 'origins', announced - via social media - her new appointment. Her return to the airwaves will be every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Radio TV Serie A with RDS. The project will kick off on Saturday 19 August. The broadcast will take place in both audio and video versions, on all digital platforms including DAB+. In recent days, the first tests have taken place on the Dab Italia mux, where it will broadcast.

F.WDAB

FFH confirms interest in broadcasting 80s Radio Harmony in NRW

 The FFH media group has confirmed its interest in expanding to North Rhine-Westphalia: "We can confirm our intention to broadcast '80er radio harmony' via DAB+ in NRW," an FFH spokeswoman told SatelliFax. However: "At the moment, there are no agreements ready to go ahead, neither for NRW nor for other federal states". A few days ago, programme providers were informed about upcoming changes in the state-wide digital radio multiplex "Mein NRW DAB+" (channel 9D). According to this, bigFM and 80er-radio harmony are to replace the stations Zound 1 Mix and Zound 1 Max. The online magazine Radiowoche had first reported on the changes.

F.WDAB

Gold to lose its London AM frequency

 Gold’s 1548 kHz AM London frequency will be turned off at the end of this month by Global. The station, which started life as Capital Radio, has been on medium wave in London since it launched in October 1973 – almost 50 years ago. Global has been switching off its network of AM transmitters recently, with Peterborough/Cambridge (1332 kHz), Derby (945 kHz), Nottingham (999 kHz) and Northampton (1557 kHz) all going silent in June 2023. From September, Gold will only have one AM frequency remaining, in Manchester on 1458 kHz, but remains available nationally via DAB digital radio

F.Wdab

Czech Radio and Teleko Digital launch new DAB+ transmitter in Hradec Králové

 A new DAB+ transmitter has been launched for the East Bohemia region in the TELEKO multiplex network in Hradec Králové-Stěžery, which also distributes the programmes of the studios Czech Radio Hradec Králové and Czech Radio North. "For capacity reasons, Czech Radio distributes three programmes from its regional studios outside its main DAB+ multiplex, and we therefore welcome and support the development of these additional broadcasting networks," said Karel Zýka, Director of Technical and Administration at Czech Radio

FWDAB

DRM Presents at the CBU General Assembly

 The DRM Consortium has been invited again to the CBU 54th Annual General Assembly “Celebrating the Contribution of Media to Caribbean Development” from August 14-16, 2023 in St. John’s Antigua (invitation). The presentation was done remotely (alas!) and focuses on the activities and roll-out of DRM across the continents.

The presentation underlines that DRM is the only open, all-band, global digital audio broadcasting standard which is broadcast and received in countries on all continents. For the latest information on DRM in the world please check this leaflet: 

F.DRM.org

A new dawn for digital radio in Africa

 With Africa in focus recently, in her blog, published by Red Tech, the DRM chairman explains that despite the digital gap existing between Africa and other continents, and even between many of Africa’s 54 countries, digital radio is rising on the agenda of many African governments.

F.DRM.org

WorldDAB VP Jacqueline Bierhorst to speak at Radiodays Asia

 WorldDAB Vice President Jacqueline Bierhorst will speak at Radiodays Asia, taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 5-6 September 2023. Bierhorst has been a pioneer in commercial radio since 1987, specialised in distribution, marketing and content. Since 2015 she is project director Digital Radio NL, a collaboration between public and commercial broadcasters and the Ministry of Economic Affairs coordinating involvement of all stakeholders and joint marketing of Digital Radio in The Netherlands.

F.WDAB

Martinique La 1ère to join DAB+ trial

 Martinique La 1ère has received regulatory approval to join the DAB+ trial in Martinique. Arcom says: "As part of the authorisation granted to Imédias Group to experiment with DAB+ broadcasting of radio services from three sites in Martinique from 1 January to 30 September 2023, Arcom has decided not to oppose the modification of the service plan by adding the Martinique La 1ère radio service."

F.WDAB

For the first time, more than half of radios sold in Germany are DAB+ capable

 The digitisation of radio reception is progressing steadily. According to the current CE industry compass by ZVEI and Deutsche TV-Plattform in cooperation with GfK, for the first time in the history of radio in Germany, more than half of the radio devices sold are digital and receive DAB+ (1st HY 2023: 52 percent or 0.5 million units). This represents an increase of nine percentage points since 2019. Since 2010, a total of around 16 million DAB+ radio devices (all radio categories) have been sold

F.WDAB

 The Radio and Television Corporation has launched the third generation of radio broadcasting, Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+), to provide media services that keep pace with modern technological development. The Radio and Television Corporation is expanding the use of digital broadcasting to increase the number of broadcasts by using only one transmitter instead of 16, which opens the way for broadcasting new licensed services, and it is also preparing to increase digital broadcasting areas by around 44 digital frequencies after launching three frequencies in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah.

F.WDAB

WorldDAB Summit 2023

 In a little over 14 weeks WorldDAB members and industry colleagues will have an opportunity to come together to discuss and reflect on the current important industry topics. The WorldDAB Summit 2023 will be held in Munich (Germany) delegates are invited to join in-person or online. This event is free to attend and is open to all, registration will open shortly.

• WorldDAB General Assembly 2023 (members only) 7 November
• Gala Dinner All colleagues (members & non-members) 7 November
• WorldDAB Summit 2023 (members & non-members) 8 November

Tuesday 7 November 2023
12:00 - 13:00   Networking lunch      
13:00 - 14:30   WorldDAB General Assembly 2023 (members only)
                          Design Offices Munich Atlas (13th Floor) & Online         
14:30 - 15:00   Coffee break  
15:00 - 16:30   Optional tour - details to follow        
19:00 - 22:00   Gala Dinner
                          Weitblick Eventlocation Sapporobogen 6-8, 80637 Munich    
 
Wednesday 8 November 2023
09:00 - 16:00   WorldDAB Summit 2023

F.WDAB

New FM and DAB+ licences for national commercial radio granted

 The winners of the auction of the national commercial radio frequencies can finally put their frequencies into use on 1 September. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has now granted new licences for FM and DAB+, according to publication in the Government Gazette. This means that all winning parties have fulfilled their payment obligation and paid at least half of the winning bid within two weeks of the auction. In early July, the nine nationwide commercial FM lots with associated DAB+ capacity on channel 11C were auctioned. This netted the treasury almost €153 million.

F.WDAB

Commercial radio in Australia celebrates 100 years as new report reveals industry contributes $1B to Australian economy

 Commercial radio in Australia turns 100 this year and kicked off celebrations today with the launch of a new report that shows the industry contributes $1 billion to the nation’s annual GDP, including a $320 million boost to regional Australia. The “Connecting Communities: The Economic and Social Contribution of Commercial Radio and Audio in Australia” report was commissioned by industry body Commercial Radio & Audio and produced by Deloitte Access Economics. The report notes: "Commercial radio has evolved with the disruptors, giving audiences more avenues to listen to content, such as through podcasts and DAB+ radio. Such innovation has fostered listenership, which has continued to grow

F.WDAB

K-NET, 16 FM stations pilot DAB in Ghana

 Some 16 FM stations in Accra and Kumasi, and Ghana’s leading broadcasting technology operator, K-NET are piloting the recently announced Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) system under the auspices of the National Communications Authority (NCA). The NCA announced the commencement of trials for DAB in Accra and Kumasi, following which it held a stakeholder engagement with the selected parties involved. The stakeholders included the selected 16 FM stations as well as KNET, the technical partners for the project.

F.Wdab

UK in-vehicle DAB listening growth continues

 DAB continues to lead in-vehicle radio in the UK, growing to a 51.2% share of listening in cars, vans and lorries, up from 49.3% in the same quarter last year. UK audience data from RAJAR for the period ending 25 June 2023 also shows analogue platforms falling to their lowest share, with listening to AM/FM now at 31.4%. Meanwhile, News Broadcasting - home of digital stations Virgin Radio and Times Radio - describes itself as “the UK’s most digital broadcaster”, with 84% of hours now coming from digital, including DAB.

F.WDab

PAKISTAN RADIO IN DRM TO REACH 52 COUNTRIES

 The Pakistani Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb, launched on 30th July, the installation project of a 1000-kilowatt Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) digital transmitter at HPT complex, Rawat, Rawalpindi, at a cost of 4 billion Pakistani rupees. She said the groundbreaking initiative, set...

F.DRM.org

DAB+ covers 50% of the French mainland population

 Following recent launches in Bayonne, Besançon, Metz and Nancy, DAB+ digital terrestrial radio continues to roll out, with broadcasts starting up in Brest, Clermont-Ferrand and Pau. The DAB+ offer will also be doubled in Angers, Rennes and Limoges by the end of the summer. A total of 17 local and extended multiplexes are scheduled to go on air this summer. With these start-ups, more than half the population of mainland France will be able to receive at least 13 radio stations on DAB+. Deployment, particularly of metropolitan multiplexes, will continue from October with more than 300 new transmitters, enabling digital terrestrial radio to serve more than 60% of the mainland population by March 2024, according to Arcom.

F.WDAB

Ghana's National Communications Authority

 Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) is pleased to announce the commencement of a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) trial in Accra and Kumasi. 18 FM stations involved in this trial will be heard simultaneously in Accra and Kumasi. Ghana will deploy the latest version of DAB, that is DAB+. This trial positions Ghana as the first country in West Africa and the fourth in Africa to deploy DAB. The trial commences in August 2023.

WDAB

The Czech Telecommunications Office has announced a tender for DAB+ networks.

 The Czech Telecommunications Office has announced a tender for DAB+ networks. "The frequency band for FM broadcasting is almost full, this new platform will allow new programming players to enter the market. After several years of intensive work, the frequency band for DAB has been coordinated during 2022 and can be used. In addition to the already successfully running digital broadcasting of Czech Radio, we will also enable the development of commercial DAB networks," said Marek Ebert, Chairman of the CTU. The nationwide networks are expected to cover 50% of the population and motorways within 18 months and 80% of the population and motorways in another 12 months.

F.WDAB

SWISS PRIVATE RADIO STATION BROADCASTS DRM TO BRAZIL

 

28 J

The next DRM shortwave broadcast of DRM Swiss supporter C.M. Obrecht is scheduled for August 11^th UTC 2300 on 12030 kHz. The transmitter (100kW) site is Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean (245 degrees) and the broadcast will be carried out by Encompass Media Services with the main target of Brazil. This is the first time that the original music of Mr Obrecht will be beamed out of Ascension. Other similar transmissions of our Swiss supporter reached parts of Asia going as far as Australia, though the broadcasts were originating in the UK and not Ascension.

F.DRM.org

DRM SHORTWAVE FROM GERMANY

 

From August 1^st shortwave will be also broadcast from Germany by SE-TA 2 a private, German shortwave radio station. They will use a transmitter with 400W ERP, located in Waldheim, Saxony region in Germany, and broadcast on 6195 kHz.

The first broadcasts are scheduled from 0900 UTC to 1400 UTC and will use different transmission configurations which will be used to evaluate propagation and robustness.

The radio station SE-TA 2, situated in Eastern Germany, welcomes comments, suggestions, as well as reception reports using: se-ta@web.de which will be confirmed by an electronic QSL card.

F.DRM.org