FM Radio Mandatory in New Cars 2027. Sweden Following Finland

Important choice for preparedness and security. DAB radio remains a marginal platform for Swedish radio listeners.

The Radio and Television Distribution Inquiry proposes to the government mandatory access to listening to analogue FM radio should be available in all new passenger vehicles on the market from 2027. Since 2021, there is an EU regulation on the reception of digital terrestrial radio in new cars that have a car radio installed. But this does not go far enough according to the inquiry. It is difficult to more closely assess the extent of listening to DAB+ compared to FM. However, some growth in listening to DAB+ is discernible according to public broadcaster Sveriges Radio. The average daily reach in 2013-2018 was zero percent of the population aged 12–79. In 2019, it rose to 0.1 percent to reach 1.3 percent in 2023.-  Sweden now follows Finland, which already in 2020 introduced a law on FM in cars. There is no DAB broadcasting in Finland.

Stop for FM Shutdown. Parliament Overrules the Government

FM radio in Switzerland to continue operating.

Parliament has once again postponed the shutdown of FM radio transmitters in Switzerland. Private radio stations can thus continue to broadcast their programs via this technology after 2026. This is another setback for the European lobby that pushes for DAB+ to replace FM radio in terrestrial networks. Still, Norway is the only country in the world that has shut down FM in its national terrestrial network.

Yesterday, after the National Council, the Council of State also voted to extend FM broadcasts. With 21 votes to 18, with five abstentions. The Federal Council (government) must now, against its will, submit an implementation proposal. Public service radio SRG is now faced with a dilemma.