July 8th
Snapshot of the local ensemble Lincolnshire updated. Addition of Hope FM.

July 8th
Snapshot of the Austrian ensemble CityMUX Wien II updated. Multiple changes sinc the previous observation. Some services previously carried here have migrated to the new national ensemble.

July 8th
A new service has popped up on Trial Bristol. NOODS Radio is broadcasting in DAB+ at 48 kbit/s.

July 7th
The UK regulator proposes to make the use of DAB+ mandatory on Small-Scale multiplexes. The consultation document published by Ofcom this week reveals that it expects demand for capacity to be high and wishes to ensure that operators are able to accomodate as many services as possible. Of the ten trial ensembles on air, only Trial Brighton is currently exclusively DAB+. The others currently broadcast at least one "original-flavour" DAB service. The regulator proposes that capacity be reserved in future for C-DSP ("community") services, such that each service is able to operate at a minimum of 48 kbit/s, and a multiplex may have capacity reserved for more than one C-DSP service. This capacity should be reserved exclusively for C-DSP and not used, even temporarily, for other types of services.

July 6th
Special-event services have popped up on the Belgian regional ensembles in connection with the Tour de France. Viva TdF Luxembg and Viva TdF Namur share a subchannel on NAM-LUX 1. Viva TdF Charler and Viva TdF Mons share a subchannel on HAINAUT 1.

July 6th
On the Belgian ensemble DAB+ VLAANDEREN1, the service Qmusic non-stop has been relabelled Q-Maximum Hits.

July 5th
In Switzerland, a new transmitter was brought into service on Block 7A during June, extending coverage of the ensemble SMC D03 N-CH:-
Wiggen (Escholzmatt, Marbach, Wiggen)
The site is considered to be under test and will enter official service in August.

July 5th
In Switzerland, new transmitters were brought into service on Block 12C during June, extending coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR D01:-
Zwischenflüh (Region Diemtigtal: Zwischenflüh, Grimmialp)
Grindel Moretchopf (Region Laufen, Breitenbach, Laufen, Zwingen, Erschwil, Beinwil SO)
Nods Chasseral (Region Seeland; Aarberg, Kerzers, Mühleberg, Schmitten, Murten, Avenches)
All three sites are considered to be under test and will enter official service in August.

July 5th
In Italy, five transmitters were brought into service on Block 12C during June, extending coverage of the ensemble * DAB Italia *:-
* Capo Vado (Savona)
* Trontano (Domodossola)
* Levo (Lago Maggiore)
* Lappano (Cosenza)
* Roccasecca dei Volsci (for the Agro Pontino area south of Latina)
Additional sites are expected to enter service during July.

July 5th
The UK regulator has launched a consultation on its proposals to advertise and licence Small-Scale DAB multiplexes using new powers that the government is laying before parliament.
The consultation covers
* the proposed spectrum and licensing process
* the regulator's approach to developing a coverage area plan
* how the regulator intends to advertise licences and assess applications
The consultation closes Friday 4 October.
The regulator expects to begin the process early in 2020.
The consultation document also serves as an announcement that no additional local multiplexes are expected to be licensed in Birmingham, Manchester or London. Muxco had called for an additional local multiplex to be licensed in Manchester and reported that there was sufficient demand for capacity to make a second local mux viable. However, the regulator states that there is barely sufficient spectrum to accommodate the expected take-up of small-scale ensembles.
The consulation document points out that at least some of the additional demand could be met by switching the local ensemble services to DAB+ to permit the carriage of a greater number of services. Muxco had also called for an additional local ensemble to be licensed in Birmingham, but the document states that insufficient spectrum exists to permit a second ensemble similar in coverage to the existing one.
The document lists areas where sufficient frequencies do exist that could enable additional local ensembles.

July 2nd
Kellyanne Conway may have coined the term "alternative facts", but the UK retailer Halfords has taken the concept to new heights. From their website, the following helpful advice...

Simply put, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) digital radio offers superior sound quality than traditional FM / AM band radio. Digital transmissions contain more information than conventional FM / AM, thanks to the super-fast wavelength of around 220MHz in the UK, compared to the 75KHz or so wavelength of analogue FM / AM radio broadcasts.

You learn something new every day!

July 2nd
In Germany, the media regulator for Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein has received three applications to operate an ensemble that was advertised as a platform to cover, in a three-year pilot, three distinct small areas - the cities of Kiel and Lübeck plus the island of Sylt and the immediately-adjacent mainland:-
Divicon Media Holding GmbH
die Media Broadcast GmbH
die Uplink Network GmbH
The regulator also advertised 54 of the Capacity Units on the existing ensemble operated by public-service broadcaster NDR for use by an existing private-sector Land-wide radio service, for which R.SH (Regiocast GmbH und Co. KG) has applied.
The regulator expects to make a decision on August 21st.

July 2nd
In Germany, the public-service broadcaster in Hessen has brought a new transmitter into service on Block 7B. Gießen-Dünsberg improves coverage of hr Radio in Mittelhessen, including Gießen and Wetzlar. In Nordhessen, the transmitter Habichtswald is now operating at the higher ERP of 10kW, improving coverage over an area stretching from Bad Karlshafen as far as Korbach and including Kassel.

July 1st
In Germany, ALPENWELLE, CHARIVARI RO, GALAXY RO and RADIO OBERLAND have been added to the new Bavarian ensemble Voralpen. All services are in DAB+ at 96kbit/s, apart from the existing service ARABELLA KULT, which is running at 80kbit/s. Snapshot updated.

July 1st
On the Swedish national ensemble SR DAB, all services have switched to DAB+, apart from the SR P4/SR P7 Sisuradio timeshare. SR P2 replaces SR P2 Klassiskt and SR P2 Världen. SR P3 Din Gata replaces SR P3 Star. SR P4 Stockholm is a new addition. Daytime and overnight snapshots updated.

June 30th
On * DAB Italia *, the service * RDS Relax * has been relabelled * RDS * Relax, reversing a change made about a month ago.

June 30th
Snapshot updated of the Norwegian local ensemble for Nord-Troms, Lokalradio. An additional service pTro has popped up since the previous observation and is broadcasting in DAB+ at 104 kbit/s.

June 30th
Snapshot updated of the Norwegian local ensemble for Vestfold. Two additional services have popped up since the previous observation. METRO Buskerud and Radio MGV are broadcasting in DAB+ at 96 and 64 kbit/s respectively. The ensemble has been relabelled Vestfold.

June 28th
A new service has popped up on Trial Portsmouth. 45 Radio is broadcasting in DAB+ at 48 kbit/s. Changes to bitrates of Solent Wireless, Flash and 80s Rhythm. Snapshot updated.

June 28th
Rocksport Radio has popped up on Trial Glasgow in "original-flavour" DAB at 112 kbit/s. This service is also broadcast currently on the regional ensemble Central Scotland at 128 kbit/s. Both instances use the same SId. Another new service, Awaz FM Glasgow, has popped up in DAB+ at 24 kbit/s. The service Nation Radio has dropped to 112 kbit/s and Protection Level 2. Snapshot updated.

June 28th
Snapshot added of the new German ensemble Voralpen, currently testing from Wendelstein. One service is being transmitted. Others are expected to be added shortly.

June 28th
Snapshot updated of the local ensemble Aberdeen. Addition of original 106.

June 27th
In France, the broadcasters awarded capacity on the forthcoming national ensembles have selected their preferred multiplex operators. For the ensemble designated M1, the broadcasters Air Zen, Chérie FM, Fun Radio, Latina, M Radio, Nostalgie, NRJ, Radio Classique, Rire et Chansons, RTL, RTL 2 and Skyrock have selected "Opératrice du multiplex M1". For the ensemble designated M2, the broadcasters Radio France (France Inter, France Musique, France Culture, France Info, FIP and Mouv’), BFM Business, BFM Radio, Europe 1, RFM, RMC and Virgin Radio have appointed OpeNMux.

June 27th
In Belgium, a new service was seen briefly today on the regional ensemble NAM-LUX 1. Viva Tour was running (probably as a test) in mono DAB+ at 24 kbit/s.

June 27th
North Yorkshire snapshot updated. Addition of Hope FM.

June 27th
Trial Glasgow snapshot updated. Addition of TII.

June 26th
In Belgium, a new service has popped up on the regional ensembles BXL-BW 2 and NAM-LUX 2. BRF 2 is the second programme of the public-service broadcaster for the German-speaking community and is broadcasting on both ensembles in DAB+ at 48 kbit/s. The existing service BRF 1 has dropped to 48 kbit/s. Similar changes may have been made to the ensemble LIEGE 2 also.

June 26th
A new service has popped up on the local ensemble Aberdeen. original 106 is broadcasting in mono "original-flavour" DAB at 80 kbit/s.

June 25th
In Germany, the first transmissions in preparation for the forthcoming ensemble for Voralpenland have been reported on Block 7A. Voralpen is reported to have one service on board currently - ARABELLA KULT.

June 21st
On D1 National, the service Test has been relabelled Heart Dance.

June 20th
On Trial Portsmouth, the service Test B has been relabelled Passion Radio. The service Skylab Radio is now broadcasting at 48 kbit/s. The packet data service Solent Wireless is now running at 8 kbit/s.

June 19th
DAB+ transmissions have popped up in Thailand. An ensemble in Bangkok is broadcasting twelve DAB+ audio services on Block 6C. Listings added.

June 18th
The ensemble Trial Glasgow has begun transmitting TII from both sites. It is believed to be the first of the UK's Small-Scale DAB ensembles to transmit the data.

June 17th
In Switzerland, Digris has brought a new transmitter into service on Block 10C. Monte Sighignola covers the Lago di Lugano, improving reception of DIG I02 in Lugano itself and extending coverage as far as Mendrisio.

June 17th
In Germany, the media regulator in Bayern has awarded capacity on the forthcoming local ensemble in the Voralpenland for two additional services - "Alpin FM" and "Radio BUH". The new ensemble is expected to begin broadcasting in July 2019 from two sites initially - Wendelstein and Herzogstand/Fahrenbergkopf.

June 17th
In Germany, the media regulator in Bayern has awarded capacity on the local ensemble Nuernberg for two additional services - "N90…4 beat" and "Pirate Radio".

June 17th
In Switzerland, a new transmitter has been brought into service on Block 12C. Zwischenflüh improves coverage of SRG SSR D01 in the Diemtigtal, including Zwischenflüh and Grimmialp.

June 17th
A new service has popped up on D1 National. Test is broadcasting in DAB+ at 40 kbit/s. Snapshot updated.

June 17th
Snapshot of the Danish ensemble DAB2 OE updated. The common subchannel used by the services DR P5 and DR Test has dropped to 80 kbit/s since the previous snapshot.

June 16th
Snapshot of the German ensemble for Hamburg NDR HH updated.

June 16th
Snapshot of the Danish ensemble DAB2 S updated. DR P5 has dropped to 80 kbit/s since the previous observation.

June 16th
Snapshot of the Netherlands regional ensemble 9D Noord-West NL updated. Multiple changes since the previous observation.

June 16th
Snapshot of the German ensemble Berlin/BRBG K12D updated. Addition of ERF Pop since previous observation. Radio Paradiso has switched to the greater protection level EEP 2-A.

June 16th
Hope FM has popped up on the local ensemble NE Wales W Chesh, broadcasting in DAB+ at 48 kbit/s. Snapshots updated.

June 15th
Snapshot updated of the German ensemble for Hessen, hr Radio.
Most services on the ensemble have switched to the higher bitrate of 136 kbit/s since the previous observation.

June 15th
A new service has popped up on the local ensemble Hereford-Worcs.
Hope FM is broadcasting in "original-flavour" DAB at 112 kbit/s, Joint Stereo.

June 14th
In Germany, the public-service NDR has brought into service new transmitters in Niedersachsen and Schleswig-Holstein. Schiffdorf extends coverage the Block 12A instance of NDR NS to Nordenham, Langen, Loxstedt and Bokel, but is also of particular benefit to Bremerhaven. Morsum, on the island of Sylt, extends coverage of the Block 12B instance of NDR SH to this and the neighbouring islands of Amrum and Föhr, as well as the adjacent mainland coastline around Dagebüll.

June 14th
A DAB+ pilot is due to take place in Iran. A press announcement from Factum Radioscape relating to the supply of monitoring equipment for the pilot, reveals that Fara Afrand, a transmitter manufacturer and systems integrator for the project are to use a 4kW transmitter in Tehran.

June 14th
Snapshot updated of the Croatian ensemble OIV DEMO. Multiple changes since previous snapshot.

June 12th
Snapshot added of the new Austrian national ensemble DAB+ Austria.

June 12th
Listing added for the new Block 7B ensemble in Marbella, 7B DAB+C.del Sol.

June 11th
A second new local ensemble is reported to have popped up in Spain. A Málaga station, RRN, has announced that it is now available in DAB+ on Block 7B in Marbella and along the Costa del Sol. Coincidentally or otherwise, the new ensemble in Gran Canaria also uses Block 7B.

June 11th
Two new services have popped up on the Belgian ensemble DAB+ VLAANDEREN2.
Joe 90's and Joe Easy are each broadcasting in DAB+ at 96 kbit/s.
[Wohnort: Those who remember the Gerry Anderson series could be forgiven for hoping that Joe 90's transmissions are "within spec". Sorry!]

June 11th
Snapshot added of the Danish regional ensemble in Esbjerg, Vestjyland.

June 11th
The UK regulator has advertised local licences to cover, respectively, South-west Scotland, Cumbria and the City of Lancaster. Ofcom has made three frequencies available, including international co-ordination for 11B at Lancaster, so that applicants may choose from a number of different possible scenarios, from covering the whole of Cumbria on a single frequency to covering north and west Cumbria with one frequency and Morecambe Bay with another. An applicant may apply for one or more licences. The number of licences awarded will depend on the coverage proposals of the winning applicant(s). BBC Radio Scotland has been reserved capacity on the mux that will serve south-west Scotland. BBC Radio Cumbria is reserved capacity on the mux(es) that cover(s) Cumbria. Closing date for applications is September 11th 2019.

June 10th
Snapshot updated of the Belgian ensemble DAB+ VLAANDEREN2. Multiple changes since previous observation.

June 10th
A new service has popped up on D1 National. Gold UK is broadcasting in DAB+ at 40 kbit/s. The service made a brief appearance on Friday and has now reappeared. There are now three DAB+ services on this ensemble, with room still for a fourth. Snapshot updated.

June 9th
Cornwall snapshot updated. Multiple changes since previous observation.

June 7th
In Australia, a new service has popped up on the Block 9A ensemble DAB+ HOBART. 7HO Classic Hits is broadcasting in DAB+ at 32 kbit/s. The existing service 7HO has been relabelled 7HO FM and has dropped to 40 kbit/s. Kix Country has dropped to 32 kbit/s. Snapshot updated.

June 6th
On Trial Glasgow, the service Visitor Radio has ceased. Snapshot updated.

June 6th
In France, the regulator has launched a consultation prior to advertising 29 regional and local ensembles in 15 areas: Amiens, Angers, Brest, Caen, Clermont-Ferrand, Le Mans, Limoges, Metz, Montpellier, Nancy, Nîmes, Perpignan, Reims, Troyes and Rennes. The closing date for responses is June 19th 2019.

June 6th
On the Austrian ensemble CityMUX Wien II, the service EWF has reappeared after an absence of several weeks.

June 6th
On D1 National, Heart extra and Smooth Extra have switched from mono "original-flavour" DAB to stereo DAB+, becoming the first DAB+ services on the ensemble. Now, both of the UK's national commercial ensembles contain both DAB and DAB+ services. Snapshot updated.

June 6th
The operator of Trial Glasgow, Nation Broadcasting, has brought a second transmitter into operation on Block 10B. The new site at Cowcaddens improves coverage to the north and west of the city as well as in the city centre itself.

June 5th
Snapshot updated of the French ensemble RNT NICE 6. Cessation of RAJE Nice since the previous observation.

June 5th
Snapshot updated of the French ensemble RNT Nice 1. The DAB+ service Kiss FM has been relabelled KISS FM CANNES and has switched to the higher bitrate of 96 kbit/s.

June 5th
Snapshot updated of the Monaco ensemble MCR2. Two additional services since the previous observation - KISS FM NICE and RADIO YACHT. All services on the ensemble are now running at 96 kbit/s.

June 4th
Swindon snapshot updated.

June 4th
In Italy, a new ensemble is reported to have popped up in Napoli on Block 10A.
CREADAB is reported to have fifteen audio services on board.

June 4th
A new service has popped up on the Belgian ensemble DAB+ VLAANDEREN2.
Q-Summer is broadcasting in DAB+ at 96 kbit/s.

June 4th
The closure of Switzerland's terrestrial television networks has given rise to the rather curious situation that if you happen to live in the Südtirol (Alto Adige) region of Italy, you can continue to receive Swiss television from terrestrial transmissions exactly as before - something that is no longer possible in Switzerland itself. The public-service rebroadcaster RAS transmits, in both SD and HD versions, the german-language services SRF-1 and SRF-Zwei and the italian-language service RSI La1. The RAS has recently begun transmitting DVB-T2 (with HEVC encoding) from seven sites as a pilot prior to Italy rolling out DVB-T2 from 2022 onwards. The pilot multiplex broadcasts RSI La1 in HD, along with HD versions of ARTE and ORF III plus an HD version of ORF 1 or ORF 2 broadcasting in alternation.

June 3rd
Terrestrial television broadcasting in Switzerland has ended. Regular analogue broadcasts began in 1953, following years of intermittent test transmissions since 1939. Analogue broadcasts ended in 2008, having been superceded by DVB-T, which has ended today. The public-service broadcaster estimates that finally only 2% of Swiss households received their programmes using DVB-T. Viewers of the SRG/SSR services must switch to satellite (DVB-S), cable (DVB-C) or internet streaming (IP-TV). In some parts of Switzerland, overspill reception from neighbouring countries continues to be possible. For example, Wohnort has received stable HD signals in Geneva from French broadcasters.

June 2nd
On * DAB Italia *, the service * RDS * Relax has been relabelled * RDS Relax *.

June 1st
Surrey-NSussex snapshot updated. Cyber Gold relabelled ATLANTIS. Cessation of Cyber Rock.

June 1st
A new service has popped up on the local ensemble Suffolk. ATLANTIS is broadcasting in DAB+ at 32 kbit/s. The newcomer's SId matches Cyber Gold on Trial Norwich

June 1st
In Germany, the media regulator for Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein has advertised capacity on two ensembles - one future and one existing. The regulator, believing that is necessary to conduct a scientific study into the public acceptance of DAB+, has proposed a three-year pilot, involving an ensemble that has been advertised as a platform and will cover three distinct small areas - the cities of Kiel and Lübeck plus the island of Sylt and the immediately-adjacent mainland. In addition, the regulator has advertised, also for three years, 54 of the Capacity Units on the existing ensemble operated by public-service broadcaster NDR for use by an existing private-sector Land-wide radio service. According to the advertisement, the NDR MFN will rise from eight to ten transmitter sites by the time the pilot begins. Closing date for applications is June 28th, 14:00.

June 1st
The great DAB measles plague (or is it smallpox?) has spread to Switzerland. The first service known to be infected has popped up on the second-layer ensemble for the Italian-speaking region, DIG I02. * RTO * (Radio Trasmissioni Ossola - an Italian local radio station for Ghiffa on Lago Maggiore, carrying many Swiss advertisements and carried on Swiss cable) is broadcasting in DAB+ at 80 kbit/s.