In Belgium, the Flemish government has dropped its proposed 2031 target for ending FM radio broadcasts, opting instead for a gradual transition to digital radio with no cut-off date set before 2035, according to the Belga News Agency.
The decision follows concerns about potential economic impacts and the risk of excluding older audiences from radio services. Flemish media minister Cieltje Van Achter said the move reflects a more cautious approach to the transition. “We will take all radio listeners with us to the finish,” she said. “So we are not opting for an accelerated switch-off of FM, but for a realistic, supported and smart transition to digital radio.”
Digital listening has grown rapidly across Flanders. Between 2018 and 2023, the share of digital radio listening doubled from 21 percent to 49 percent, driven largely by the uptake of DAB+. Despite this progress, the timing of the FM switch-off has remained controversial.
Former media minister Benjamin Dalle had initially proposed a phased shutdown between 2028 and 2031. A study carried out by Brightwolves and Ghent University later identified Jan. 1, 2031, as a realistic target. However, the same study warned that a premature switch could cause significant economic disruption — estimating losses of €31 to €62 million to the Flemish advertising market — and risk alienating listeners aged 65 and over.
Van Achter said abandoning the 2031 deadline was necessary to avoid those consequences. “Radio is there for everyone in Flanders. On average, we listen to the radio for up to three hours a day; it connects, informs and relaxes. Anyone who drops that to go digital faster is not making any progress. That is short-sighted,” she said.
Instead of setting a new firm date, the Flemish government plans to progressively reduce the use of FM frequencies, with any full switch-off unlikely before 2035.
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