BBC Not to Fund Digital Radio Switchover

Timetable must be set by listeners. Still only 14% of radio listeners listen exclusively to digital radio.

In its response to the government’s green paper on the future of the corporation, the BBC says it cannot fund the costs of such a switchover without significantly impacting services. Further build out of the DAB networks to reach the same coverage as FM would be a major undertaking, likely to increase radio distribution costs by between £40m to £45m a year exclusive of any work to maintain the existing networks.

Car Industry in Norway: Postpone an FM Switch-Off

Oppland Arbeiderblad

Most cars still without DAB radio. Discontent and complaints.

The Norwegian car importers and dealership are again expressing strong skepticism regarding a planned FM radio closure 2017. Few cars in Norway are still not equipped with DAB radio, and there are complicated solutions for installation in old cars. Especially utilitarian transports as vans, trucks and busses are not DAB-able. This was revealed by Tore Lillermork from BIL - the car import association - at a DAB meeting at the Media Authority.

DAB Radio Close to 'Dead And Buried' in Sweden

Increased Political Majority Against FM Switch-Off. Commercial radio postponing digital terrestrial radio

At its party conference the liberal Center Party decided in support of the government decision to not go ahead with the proposed transition from FM to digital radio DAB+ in 2017-2022. There are too much uncertainty regarding a transition i.e. the emergency issues. The party demands a more elaborated analyzis before a decision can be taken.

Indian Digital Radio Structure On Air

Indian DRM Receiver to Hit Market 

Avion Electronics, a Communication Systems Inc. brand, has unveiled the first, ready-to-ship, India-made Digital Radio Mondiale receiver. The first batch of 2,000 pieces will be delivered in October, and a second batch is expected by the end of 2015. There is a firm commitment from the Indian government toward DRM, and we see a growing interest in both radio stations and consumers, says Ankit Agrawal, technical director at Communication Systems Inc.  

Eurolegal Roadblock for the DAB+ Transition in Norway

Closure of FM in Norway may encounter a setback.

Norway is not member of the European Union, but an EEA member (European Economic Agreement) and needs to follow the articles and laws that EU/EEA requires.  The Norwegian Local Radio Association NLF has written a letter to the Ministry of Culture to get an answer to this basic question: Is the Norwegian FM switch-off decision legal with respect to our EEA agreement?  

A closure of the FM band is regarded as the decisive factor for a DAB+ success in Norway.

Dutch Broadcast Provider on DAB: “It’s Still Too Early”

Consumer demand for DAB+ lacking

Netherlands’ Broadcast Partners is a major provider of transmission facilities in that country is hesitant about DAB developments.  We think that DAB+ maybe has a chance in the future but we do not know for sure, said the Director of Broadcast Partners, Robert Jan van der Hoeven. The picture in Europe is very variable.  From the DAB lobbies, there is a very optimistic image. They could be right. The consumer has, so far, not discovered the benefits DAB+ so you are having a replacement market.