DRM and ATSC sign partnership agreement

The DRM Consortium and the Broadcast Standards Association, ATSC, have signed a mutual institutional partnership agreement granting equal access and rights to each organization. The agreement aims to facilitate close collaboration between these standard bodies and ultimately support the worldwide adoption of DRM and ATSC standards.

The DRM Consortium, with over 100 members, promotes the global adoption of Digital Radio Mondiale, an open-standard digital radio system covering all broadcasting frequencies and needs. DRM is currently operational or being prepared for launch across various countries, including India, China, Indonesia, South Africa and parts of Europe. DRM offers solutions for enhanced audio, data and multimedia services, delivering information, entertainment, education and emergency alerts while conserving spectrum and energy. The DRM-Multichannel system, demonstrated at recent events in Indonesia, India, and Turkey’s ABU General Assembly, showcases efficient VHF-band broadcasting via a single wide-band transmitter.

ATSC, which sets voluntary standards for digital terrestrial TV broadcasting, is now focused on advancing ATSC 3.0, a digital broadcast standard that merges broadcasting and telecom standards. ATSC 3.0 broadcasts are being tested in India, Canada and Mexico, while Brazil has identified key components of the ATSC 3.0 system for its next-generation broadcasting. South Korea, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the U.S. have either launched or are planning ATSC 3.0 broadcasts soon.

Clear synergies

“We are excited to formalize our collaboration with the Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium through this reciprocal institutional membership agreement,” said Madeleine Noland, president of ATSC. “This partnership not only enhances our commitment to advancing broadcasting technologies but also paves the way for ongoing efforts to carry Digital Radio Mondiale services over ATSC 3.0 transmissions, expanding access to high-quality digital radio and creating opportunities for ATSC 3.0 broadcasters. This is especially important in countries like India, where Digital Radio Mondiale has an established user base, and in locations like Brazil and Indonesia, which are exploring digital options.”

DRM Chairman Ruxandra Obreja welcomed the DRM-ATSC membership agreement, noting, “There are clear synergies between our two not-for-profit organizations, with geographical overlaps in our activities, as our innovative solutions could support a digital future for media in both developed and developing countries. Achieving robust, ready-to-use solutions is a shared aim of DRM and ATSC, and I view this institutional membership agreement as highly significant for all our members. I am very excited about our next joint initiatives.”