Broadcasters renew push for U.S. AM radio legislation on Capitol Hill
AMSTERDAM — At the end of last year, I was honored and delighted to be elected as the new president of WorldDAB, the global industry forum for DAB+ digital radio. I’m succeeding Patrick Hannon whose leadership, enthusiasm and vision helped shape WorldDAB’s course for the past 10 years. Under his guidance, we’ve witnessed the exponential growth of DAB+ globally.
Listeners love to listen to their favorite radio station via DAB+. Compared to FM, listeners have more choice and digital sound quality, and reception is usually better than before. Experience and research show that listeners use radio via DAB+ as they used to do via FM.
In countries where DAB+ is well established, we see a significant decline in FM usage and increasing use of the various digital reception methods, with DAB+ as the heart of the broadcasting ecosystem.
DAB in Europe
DAB is now firmly established across much of Europe. In the U.K., 72% of weekly listening is via digital platforms, and DAB+ forms most in-car listening. Meanwhile, in Germany, the number of DAB+ radios in households grew to 28.3 million last year, an increase of 4.4 million.
I’d also like to highlight the incredible work being done in France, where DAB+ coverage has grown rapidly to now stand at 60% of the population, and in Spain, where public broadcaster RTVE is rolling out DAB+ across the country, with new services launched in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao, and more cities following every month.
I’m also looking forward to new national multiplexes launching soon in Austria and the Czech Republic and a network of local services in my home country of the Netherlands, all of which will give listeners more choices on DAB+.
A vital role in citizens’ lives
Looking at the rest of the world, we see exciting developments in Africa where services launched last year in Ghana and Uganda. In the Middle East, regular services launched in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain last August. In Asia-Pacific, there are positive developments in Thailand and Indonesia, while well-established services in Australia are helping commercial radio to record audiences, including younger listeners.
All these important rollouts throughout Europe and beyond serve a goal, as radio plays a vital role in the lives of citizens, not only as entertainment, but also as the most trusted medium, and in case of emergencies. Just for all of us to remember, there are millions of listeners, and to them, it is a way of life that radio is always easily available everywhere.
Radio plays a vital role in the lives of citizens, not only as entertainment, but also as the most trusted medium.
I’m fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but I’m always optimistic and look forward to the immense opportunities that await us. Through collaboration, we have already achieved legislation throughout Europe for DAB+ in cars. Almost all new cars come with DAB+, the standard in Europe. This also creates a substantial advantage for countries that have yet to launch DAB+. It’s good that we collaborate closely with the automotive sector so broadcast radio is as easily accessible as ever before.
Creating awareness
Even though there are more ways to listen to radio in the home, more DAB+ radios are sold year-on-year. We do see differences per country throughout Europe, though. Therefore, we know how important it is to create awareness of DAB+ and attract listeners to buy new radios through public campaigns and collaboration with retail. People need to know that DAB+ exists and what is in it for them: more choice, digital sound quality and better reception — and I can only emphasize how important marketing is.
The author is president of WorldDAB, the global industry association responsible for defining and promoting DAB digital radio. Its more than 1,300 experts from 117 member organizations in 35 countries worldwide include public and commercial broadcasters, regulators, network providers and manufacturers of receivers, chips, professional equipment and automobiles.
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