WorldDAB will present new international research into in-car radio listening at WorldDAB Automotive 2026 in Frankfurt on June 11, as broadcasters, automotive companies and regulators continue to debate radio’s role in the connected car.
The 2026 Car Buyer’s Research, conducted by Fifty5Blue, examines how drivers use audio in vehicles, what they expect from radio and how factors such as prominence, default settings and user experience influence listening behavior. According to WorldDAB, the findings are intended to support decision-making across the automotive, broadcast and regulatory sectors.
A panel featuring representatives from the automotive sector, the European Broadcasting Union, the Association of European Radios and WorldDAB will discuss the research and its implications for radio prominence, discoverability and consumer choice in connected dashboards.
The event will also include an update on the Radio Ready initiative from Tomas Granryd, coordinator at Radio Ready, and Tobias Nielsen, senior vice president digital at Bauer Media Group. WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst is expected to provide an update on DAB+ growth, while sessions will also focus on developments in Germany, Australia and Spain.
David Fernández Quijada, research director at South 180, will introduce WorldDAB’s Public Policy Toolbox, which the organization says highlights the continuing role of broadcast radio in connected environments and the importance of policy frameworks for media plurality, safety and universal access.
Another panel, led by Hanns Wolter, chair of WorldDAB’s Spectrum and Network Implementation Committee, will examine broadcast infrastructure investment and its role in long-term stability of the automotive ecosystem. “Radio’s role as a trusted, accessible and immediate medium is more important than ever,” Bierhorst said. “Broadcast radio remains central to resilient, free-to-air communication, including in the car.”
WorldDAB Automotive 2026 takes place in Frankfurt on June 11 and is free to attend in person.
You can find more information and register here.
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