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.

U.S. Politicians Calls For FM in Smartphones

Minimal effort required to active FM radio

The Indiana State Senate has adopted a resolution urging wireless carriers to activate the FM radio receivers in smartphones. The resolution focuses on radio’s public safety role and comes as Indiana-based Emmis Communications has stepped up advocacy efforts to get FM receivers activated. The company says similar legislative actions are set to take place in other states.

Community Radio and Television Join Forces in Sweden

A new media structure is born. Renowned media personality to head new organization.

Again the local democracy must be conquered, says Lotta Gröning, renowned journalist and historian, elected as President of Community Media Sweden (CMS) a new umbrella organization constituted today in Upsala by National Association of Open Channels (ROK) and Community Radio Association (NRO).

DAB Radio Proposal Near Death in Swedish Consultation Round.

Plan for a transition from FM to DAB+ rejected by expertise and major authorities.

The proposal for a transition from FM to DAB+ 2016-2022 has been rejected by central public institutions and many experts in Sweden. Only some minor authorities are behind the proposal together with established DAB proponents. This confirms the unison negative opinion in media when the proposal was presented to the Government in December 2014. The negative and positive respondents are listed below.

After receiving an inquiry report by the National Audit Office on April 14 the Ministry of Culture will consider the next step; a proposal to the Parliament for a transition to DAB, to continue with more inquiries or to scrap the idea of replacing FM, which then will put an end to 20 years of efforts to introduce DAB radio in Sweden. 

UK Analogue Radio Licences Extended

Commercial Radio To Stay on FM for Another Five Years

Analogue radio licences for the three national commercial networks and more than 60 local commercial radio stations are to be renewed for a further five years following a change in legislation. The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has confirmed the extension, which will secure the analogue future of these radio stations, including Classic FM, TalkSport and Absolute.