14 January 2020

India and Pakistan Are Leading Their Way to Terrestrial Digital Radio

We might now discern the end of DAB outside Europe
Broadcasters are trying to establish a digital terrestrial radio platform as a future alternative to radio via Internet. Main contenders are the HD Radio, DAB and DRM systems.  While DAB is leading in Europe and HD Radio in North America the DRM system is clearly the choice for large area countries in Asia (including Russia), Africa and South America. India and Pakistan are all set for DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) with heavy investments. India is now also manufacturing stand-alone and car receivers for DRM.

10 January 2020

Medium Wave Radio Come-Back in Denmark

New opportunities with more effective coverage for terrestrial radio in Northern Europe. The AM band being further developed globally.
Radio 208 in Copenhagen is a new radio station focusing on oldies from the period 1964-1984 with the emphasis on the 70s and rock. "The Rock of Copenhagen - Progressive Rock 1964-1984". Radio 208 broadcasts around the clock at a wavelength of 208 meters (1440 kHz), a frequency that many people in Denmark - at least music fans over 50 years - know; the legendary European radio channel Radio Luxembourg until 1991, says the founder Stig Hartvig Nielsen.

4 December 2019

EBU Attempting to Stop 5G Terrestrial Radio

Analysis: The DAB project is threatened by a new global listening platform
European Broadcasting Union believes that 5G will be good for television, but not for radio. 5G-Broadcast will not be developed (further) for radio claims Antonio Arcidiacono, EBU director of technology and innovation, at a panel discussion during Medientage in Munich. According to the EBU, one reason is that the introduction of DAB+ in Europe should not be jeopardized by diverting too much attention by discussing a new standard.

Major Broadcasters in Sweden Want EU Requirement for FM in Cars

A strategic step for saving DAB radio and a struggle for survival
According to a new EU Kodex directive all new passenger cars must be equipped to receive "terrestrial digital radio" from December 21, 2021. The Swedish government is now forced to include the rule in the Vehicle Regulation. However, the three major Swedish radio broadcasters now want the requirement to apply to FM receivers as well. But things are not always the way they look ..

Austria Now Testing 5G Broadcast Radio & Television

DAB skeptical public broadcaster will air three radio channels in Vienna
The terrestrial digital radio of the future now comes via the Internet, not DAB. Austrian transmitter network operator ORS is planning tests with TV and radio channels in 5G Broadcast mode in Vienna. The media agency KommAustria has approved a project to be implemented at the two major broadcast sites in Vienna (Kahlenberg and Liesing). The authority will assign a channel in the 700MHz band December 2019-June 2020.

25 November 2019

A DAB Radio Superman Haunts Colombia

El transformador de la radio
Why is the Norwegian government supporting promotional campaigns abroad?
The DAB system has a hard time getting an impact around the world. Canada left DAB many years ago and today HD Radio is the digital platform for terrestrial radio in North America and Mexico. But DAB interests will not give up the Americas. A central figure in the Norwegian lobby last week lectured at radio conferences in Medellin and Bogota in Colombia. He presented slanted graphics and exaggerated statements including withholding important truths about DAB and FM in Norway as well as in Europe.