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The world is changing, exploding even, under our eyes, and we are still debating the merits of radio digitization while evaluating the benefits of ITU-recognized broadcast digitization standards such as DRM, DAB and HD.
Over the last couple of decades, the radio industry has undergone several major revolutions. The first was introducing the traditional broadcast — towers, transmitters and the large-scale adoption of AM and FM. The second, or at least part of it, was the transition to digital distribution — streaming audio, podcasts and addressing global audiences. What remains unfinished of this second revolution is digitizing terrestrial broadcasts. Streaming and the very popular podcasts are one-to-one, IP-reliant, sometimes costly and sometimes not available, or both, in many parts of the world.
Today, the unresolved broadcast digitization projects are affected by another moment of uncertainty. Stations are grappling with audience behavior changes, funding pressures (for both public and commercial stations), the podcast explosion and the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence.
For some broadcasters, the new challenges also involve audience measurements, new business models and the credible and creative use of AI. All can be better addressed with digital radio, especially with DRM. Ultimately, this is about protecting the broadcasters’ most precious asset: audience trust.
In a recent interview with Emirates 24/7, Muhsen Hassan, Dubai Media’s director of radio stations media content sector, said, “Stations that maintain their influence are those embracing digital transformation through app-based streaming, active social media engagement, and on-demand content. The focus is not on competing with digital platforms, but on complementing them and delivering a seamless, integrated listening experience.”
Open technologies
In their understandably cautious digitization process, some countries have embraced a single digital standard, such as DRM in India, DAB in some European countries and HD in the USA. For full country coverage and additional benefits, DRM has been adopted or is under serious consideration as the sole standard by countries such as Pakistan, Nepal and others in Asia.
Some countries, like Indonesia and South Africa, have adopted dual open standards, DRM-DAB. A DRM-DAB recommendation also exists for all African countries under the often-misused single term Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB).
China has adopted a dual-standard option, pairing the local CDR standard (a Chinese FM digital proposition) with DRM for wide coverage in AM. It is expected that the dual CDR and DRM will be the norm for receivers in Chinese cars for the domestic market.
DRM and DAB, both open technologies, share a lot of their technical architecture and functionality. DAB is ultra-local (used only in VHF band III) and based on a multiplex solution that ensures shared distribution costs and the same coverage area for broadcasters. DRM, on the other hand, is an all-frequency broadcast bands (AM and VHF bands I, II and III) solution that can offer spectral and energy savings while delivering local, regional, national and international coverage. DRM works in simulcast and pure digital modes while maintaining broadcasters’ independence in content, energy levels and services. DRM can fulfil the needs of any country. For manufacturers, delivering a single standard receiver is probably the preferred option. But as DRM and DAB share many, often free, IPs, manufacturers can today deliver dual-receiving solutions at minimal extra cost and in time, with maximum extra profit.
Unintended havoc
In September 2025, DRM members showed DRM-DAB transmitter solutions. And for some time now, there have also been dual- or multi-standard chipsets and modules (including analog) ready for car and kitchen receivers.
But things can shift from a dual-standard solution to a “double standard” approach quite easily, even inadvertently. If dual-standard receivers are not deployed, even for a test, from the start in a dual-standard country, the unintended result can be havoc. Testing or rolling out the sister-recommended digital standards together and on dual receivers is the only way to achieve full, lasting implementation for all. And this is not just about AM and FM digital services, but also for the crucial Emergency Warning Functionality alerts. This allows the wider public, not only in metropolitan centres, to enjoy digital radio and receive disaster alerts and e-learning content. Content and receivers must be dual-digital from the word go.
And regulators need to issue clear recommendations so that the local and foreign manufacturing industries, which have the necessary solutions and tools, can meet them.
The digital revolution is making radio digitization a higher priority. Any decision to adopt one all-band standard or two open standards must be based on well-researched, well-founded choices shaped by national objectives and rooted in the honest desire to implement the best solution for all citizens. Broadcasting standards need to stand the test of time and cover the entire broadcast landscape: public, private, and community broadcasters. And then regulators, broadcasters and manufacturers must work together, as no regulator or government would accept the idea that one person, one “influencer,” or one group of stakeholders can have the ultimate word and vote.
The author is chairman of the DRM Consortium.
Image: Freepik
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