Germany continues to take steps toward the digitization of radio, having launched this week its second national multiplex. The new multiplex will reach an audience of 67 million
Eight stations are already on air following the launch — these are Absolut HOT, Absolut TOP, Absolut Bella, Absolut Oldie Classics, Antenne Bayern, Rock Antenne, RTL Radio and TOGGO Radio. Further stations are set to follow by the end of the year.
The new multiplex enriches the German radio landscape with new national brands, bringing increased offering to listeners across the country, and provide the advertising market with new opportunities and momentum.
More Choice
The dynamism brought about by this launch is anticipated to impact also on radio services in Germany’s federal states, particularly those that may have been hesitant to launch regional DAB+ tenders — the regional and local radio landscape is expected to grow as a result.
At the launch event State Secretary Heike Raab, coordinator of the broadcasting commission for the federal states, said the launch of Germany’s second national DAB + was an extremely important step for the digitization of radio in Germany. This is not only because it will help expand the variety of programs available to listeners across the country, but because it will help further strengthen the dynamic growth of DAB+.
In Germany, there are more than 260 stations available on DAB+, and population coverage stands at 98%. Around 10 million households already have a DAB+ receiver, although this number is expected to increase drastically as new measures come into force.
Revised Law
Germany’s revised Telecoms law requires all radios in new cars to be capable of receiving and reproducing digital terrestrial radio from Dec. 21, in line with the European Electronic Communications Code.
Over half of new cars sold in the country are already equipped with DAB+ digital radio as standard. The new law also requires all new consumer radios that can display a station’s name to be able to receive digital signals from the same date.
To find out more about the development of DAB+ in Germany, and across Europe, register for the WorldDAB General Assembly 2020. Taking place virtually on Nov. 3, the event will bring together WorldDAB members and experts from across the digital radio industry, — including Antenne Deutschland Managing Director Joe Pawlas — for a one-day live-streamed event.
The author is project director for WorldDAB.