No FM Switch-Off in Ireland

All 43 radio stations now on a single Radioplayer app

The phasing out of FM radio in Ireland is not under consideration, a government spokesperson says. While there are no plans at present to roll out DAB services on a national basis, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) will continue to monitor and consider the potential for the development of digital radio in Ireland. - For the first time, all RTÉ FM stations, along with 34 independent radio stations across Ireland, are available via a single free-for-all Radioplayer app.

Dark Clouds for DAB Radio in the Nordic Countries

Vanishing prospects for FM switch-off in Denmark, Norway and Sweden

An FM switch-off in the Nordic countries might be more far off than ever. The opposition is competent and vocal. DAB listening today is measured at 17 % in Denmark, 19 % in Norway and less than 1 % in Sweden. Finland opted out of DAB irrevocably already 2005. With increasing on-line listening and retained FM the DAB-system is expected to have a difficult time surviving on free market terms and without government intervention. Here is an update of the future situation for FM and DAB broadcasting in three major Nordic countries.

No FM Switch-Off in Norway

No success yet for DAB radio in the Nordic countries

the Norwegian Minister of Culture says that the FM switch-off goal of 50% "Digital listening” has been reached. However, this figure include listenership of DVB-T and Internet radio. Last week, the Government Statistical Bureau reported that listening to DAB radio is presently limited to 19% on a daily basis, says the Norwegian Local Radio Association in a press-release. 

London Rock Station Leaving DAB for Online.

Might signal the beginning of the end of the linear radio platform for certain services

TeamRock Radio is leaving DAB radio in June to concentrate on podcasting and online streaming, TeamRock Radio is making the change from broadcast to podcast as it comes off the national digital radio platform. 

Norway First Country to Introduce DAB Radio By Coercion

Picture: Oppland Arbeiderblad

Millions of motorists in radio shadow. FM retained for local radio. Political struggle expected. 

Norwegian Minister of Culture says that as the terms now have been met i.e. 50 % are "listening digitally" there will be an FM switch-off 2017.  But local commercial radio and community radio outside the five largest cities can continue on FM. However, opposition to this proposal is expected in Stortinget (the parliament) later this Spring. 
This successful step towards introduction of the DAB system in Norway has been made because of heavy lobbying not by market driven demands.

National Audit Devastating for DAB Radio Introduction in Sweden

Report envisages major risks with a transition. Reasonable to retain FM radio.

The proposed transition to the (terrestrial) digital radio DAB+ platform entails major risks and will probably not be profitable from a wider societal viewpoint. The best choice is to retain the FM network, according to the national auditor Margareta Åberg. 

The consultation round by the Ministry of Culture concluded on March 23. There were several decisive objections from the institutions most qualified to make a judgment on the proposal for a transition to DAB 2016-2022. Adding to this an extensive and critical report was presented yesterday to the Parliament by Riksrevisionen (The National Audit Office). The Ministry of Culture is expected to take a final decision regarding this issue next month. The independent analysis by the National Audit Office makes it probable that 20 years of efforts to introduce DAB in Sweden will come to a definite end.