Update History
August 4th
The shareholders of the Munich-based Institut für Rundfunktechnik have announced that despite intensive efforts, no viable model could found for the continuation of the Institut.
A joint venture between the public-service broadcasters of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the IRT has over 60 years' experience in research and development of broadcasting technology. Its achievements include the Autofahrer-Rundfunk-Informationssystem (ARI), which signalled traffic information broadcasts on FM services, and Zweikanalton, whereby a second FM subcarrier was added to the analogue television signal to broadcast the Difference channel of a stereo signal in addition to the existing FM subcarrier's Sum channel. The IRT was heavily involved in the development and introduction of DAB, DVB, HDTV, Musicam (aka MPEG I Layer II), and was involved in the radio frequency planning conference RRC 06 - Europe's frequency plan for digital broadcasting. The IRT recently operated ensembles in Munich, testing concepts such as 5.1 sound via DAB+ and the small-scale DAB model.
The Süddeutscher Zeitung comments that this is a warning sign. If the broadcasters are no longer able to support such an Institut, it shows the scale of the financial pressures facing public-service broadcasting. The newspaper predicts that this is just the beginning. The days of trimming round the edges have long since gone. Now it's the substance and everything is on the table.
August 4th
In Switzerland, a new transmitter has been brought into service on Block 12A. Monte Generoso extends and improves coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR I01 in an area including Muggio, Stabio, Melide, Malcantone.
August 4th
On Trial Manchester, the DAB+ service RootznRockerz has dropped from 48 to 32 kbit/s. Snapshot updated.
August 3rd
A new service has popped up on Trial Portsmouth. BFBS Beats is broadcasting in DAB+ at 32 kbit/s. The existing service BFBS Portsmouth has dropped to 32 kbit/s. Snapshot updated.
August 2nd
In France, the regulator has updated with technical details the authorisation delivered to Opemux to operate the forthcoming Block 8C local ensemble for Toulouse. The operator is authorised to use 5kW from Toulouse. The ensemble is expected to launch on November 5th 2020.
August 2nd
In France, the regulator has updated with technical details the authorisation delivered to Opemux to operate the forthcoming Block 6B ensemble for Toulouse, known officially as "Toulouse étendu". The operator is authorised to use 10kW from Toulouse and 5kW from Montauban. The ensemble is expected to launch on November 5th 2020.
August 2nd
In France, the regulator has updated with technical details the authorisation delivered to Opemux to operate the forthcoming Block 8B local ensemble for Bordeaux. The operator is authorised to use 4kW from Bouliac. The ensemble is expected to launch on November 5th 2020.
August 2nd
In France, the regulator has updated with technical details the authorisation delivered to Opemux to operate the forthcoming Block 8C ensemble for Bordeaux, known officially as "Bordeaux étendu". The operator is authorised to use 6kW from Bouliac and 4kW from Guérin. The ensemble is expected to launch on November 5th 2020.
August 2nd
Trial Bristol snapshot updated. Multiple changes since previous observation.
August 2nd
In Slovenia, the regulator is currently conducting a tender process open to existing FM broadcasters for capacity on the regional ensemble for Ljubljana, Slovenia DAB+ R3. The regulator has announced that once this is completed, a further tender process will be conducted for new services. To this end, the regulator is now inviting expressions of interest by August 31st 2020. The responses will not be published, but will inform the regulator as to the type of services that should be broadcast.
August 2nd
On the Slovenian ensemble Slovenia DAB+ R1, the service A-Radio has been relabelled Odprti Radio.
August 2nd
Snapshot of the UK local ensembles Swindon and West Wiltshire updated. Smooth Country replaced Gold since the previous Swindon snapshot. Other services relabelled. The relabelling of the BBC service BBC Wilts (Swin) means that in areas where both this and the West Wiltshire ensemble are receivable, it is no longer possible to distinguish by label between the two instances of BBC Radio Wilts. Both instances will be listed by receivers by virtue of their different SIDs. This may or may not be important.
August 1st
In the Netherlands, two new transmitters have been brought into service on Block 8A. Den Haag and Hilversum extend and improve coverage of the regional ensemble 8A Randstad NL. The existing transmitters at Amsterdam, Lopik and Rotterdam have had their powers increased.
August 1st
In the Czech Republic, the Olomouc transmitter broadcasting the ensemble TELEKO DAB2 has switched from Block 12B to 10B. The new frequency allows better coverage to the east, south and west in view of the better radiation pattern that was able to be co-ordinated.
August 1st
On the Czech ensemble TELEKO DAB2, the service PIGY RADIO has ceased.
August 1st
On the Netherlands national ensemble NPO, the packet data service NPO-EPG has ceased.
August 1st
On the UK local ensemble Suffolk, the service Chris Country is reported to have ceased.
August 1st
In France, the November 5th 2020 launch date for ensembles in Bordeaux, Arcachon and Toulouse has been published in the Journal Officiel.
August 1st
In France, the regulator has updated with technical details the authorisation delivered to La Coopérative de Radiodiffusion to operate the forthcoming Block 7A local ensemble in Bordeaux. The operator is authorised to use 10kW from Lormont. The ensemble is expected to launch on November 5th 2020.
August 1st
In France, the regulator has updated with technical details the authorisation delivered to Cmux to operate the forthcoming Block 11C local ensemble in Arcachon. The operator is authorised to use 4kW from La Teste-de-Buch. The ensemble is expected to launch on November 5th 2020.
July 31st
In France, the regulator has revoked the authorisations for the service OKLM Radio to broadcast on the ensembles RNT Paris 3, Marseille Block 5B (not yet on air) and #RNT Nice 3, in view of the broadcaster's liquidation.
July 31st
In France, the regulator has updated with technical details the authorisation delivered to Coméquip to operate the forthcoming Block 7C local ensemble in Toulouse. The operator is authorised to use 6kW from a transmission tower at Rue Assalit in Toulouse. The ensemble is expected to launch on November 5th 2020.
July 30th
In Germany, Schlager RadioB2 is reported to have popped up on the small-scale trial Lübeck K9D.
July 29th
Snapshot of the UK local ensemble Swansea SW Wales updated with BBC R Cymru 2 present.
July 29th
Snapshot of the UK local ensemble Somerset updated. Addition of Like Radio since the previous observation.
July 28th
In the Netherlands, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has launched a consultation on plans to auction a second national ensemble (designated Layer 7) for private-sector broadcasters. Block 9C is expected to be used, except in Limburg South, where either 5A, 7B or 8C) may be used temporarily, pending completion of international co-ordination for Block 9C. Twelve programme slots are envisaged, each running at 96 kbit/s in DAB+. To ensure diversity, prospective broadcasters will be limited to bidding for a maximum of four slots each. The Ministry plans to release the capacity this year, permitting a 2021 launch. The consultation closes on September 17th 2020.
July 27th
A new service has popped up on the Australian ensemble
DAB Melbourne 1. Little Fox is broadcasting in DAB+ at 32 kbit/s. There is an additional service NICHE RADIO that was not previously listed.
July 27th
On the Australian ensemble
DAB Melbourne 2, the services Fox Buddha, Fox Dance, Fox Easy, Fox Oldskool and Fox Urban have been relabelled HIT Buddha, HIT Dance, HIT Easy, HIT Oldskool and HIT Urban.
July 27th
On the Australian ensemble
DAB+ Sydney 1, the services 2Day Buddha, 2Day Easy, 2Day Oldskool and 2Day Urban have been relabelled HIT Buddha, HIT Easy, HIT Oldskool and HIT Urban. There is an additional service HIT Dance not previously listed.
July 27th
On the Australian ensemble DAB+ Brisbane 2, the services hit105, Hit Buddha, Hit Easy, Hit Oldskool and Hit Urban have been relabelled B105, B105 Buddha, B105 Easy, B105 Oldskool and B105 Urban. There is an additional service B105 Dance not previously listed.
July 27th
A new service has popped up on the Australian ensemble DAB Perth. MMM 90s is broadcasting in DAB+ at 32 kbit/s.
July 27th
Heat Radio has popped up on the UK local ensemble Inverness, broadcasting in "original-flavour" Mono LSF DAB at 64 kbit/s. Absolute Rad 00s has ceased.
July 27th
A new service has popped up on the UK local ensemble Bournemouth. Serenade Radio is broadcasting in "original-flavour" Mono LSF DAB at 56 kbit/s.
July 27th
A new service has popped up on the UK local ensemble Somerset. Like Radio is broadcasting in "original-flavour" Mono DAB at 80 kbit/s.
July 26th
On the Tunisian ensemble ONT, the service SHEMS FM is reported to have been relabelled OXYGENE.
July 26th
Snapshot of the UK local ensemble Hereford-Worcs updated. Removal of ATLAS RADIO since the previous observation.
July 26th
Snapshot of the UK local ensemble Swansea SW Wales updated. Addition of Absolute C Rock, Country Hits, Hits Radio, Magic Chilled and Magic Soul since the previous observation. Cessation of Total Access and Wave 80s
July 26th
Snapshot of the UK local ensembles Gloucestershire and Somerset updated. Addition of The Breeze since the previous observations.
July 26th
Snapshot of the UK local ensemble Cornwall updated. Removal of Pirate 80s since the previous observation.
July 26th
On the UK local ensemble NE Wales W Chesh, the service TEST has been relabelled LIVERPOOL LIVE. Snapshot updated.
July 24th
In France, the local ensemble Rouen Local 2 has re-entered service, one month to the day after being taken out of service. The ensemble Rouen Local 1, which hosted the displaced services in the interim, has returned to its previous configuration.
July 24th
A new service has popped up on the UK local ensemble NE Wales W Chesh. TEST is using DAB+ at 32 kbit/s.
July 24th
A new service has popped up on Trial London. The subchannel for Riverside Radio is running at 32 kbit/s, initially without an audio stream but now with one. Snapshot updated. [This report has been updated to add snapshot]
July 23rd
In Germany, the media regulator has extended for a further ten years the licences for RADIO AWN, RADIO GALAXY LA and RADIO TRAUSNITZ to broadcast on the regional ensemble Niederbayern.
July 23rd
In Germany, the media regulator has extended for a further ten years the licences for RADIO 8 and GALAXY MITTELFRA to broadcast on the regional ensemble Mittelfranken.
July 23rd
In Germany, the media regulator has awarded for ten years capacity for two additional services on the regional ensemble Allgäu to Radio 7 and Radio Schwaben. The regulator extended the licences of the existing services RSA Radio LI, RSA Radio OA, RSA Radio OAL and Galaxy Allgäu for a further five years.
July 23rd
In Germany, capacity for two services was advertised on the Block 7B ensemble Berlin/BRBG 7B. Six applications were received and the regulator in Berlin/Brandenburg will now conduct a selection process:
- Freies BürgerRadio Slubfurt
- Radio Paradiso
- Fußball FanRadio Berlin
- nice mix
- pure fm
- ENERGY
Should Radio Paradiso be selected, this would give rise to vacant capacity on the Block 12D ensemble where that service is currently broadcast.
July 23rd
In Germany, a new transmitter has been brought into operation on Block 7D. Kelheim extends and improves coverage of the regional ensemble Niederbayern. Further transmitters are planned for later this year both in Niederbayern and other Bavarian regions.
July 23rd
On the UK local ensemble Cornwall, the service Pirate 80s is reported to have ceased.
July 22nd
Snapshot of the Polish ensemble DABCAST Wroclaw updated. Addition of Radio B PODROZ since the previous snapshot.
July 22nd
Snapshot of the local ensemble Tayside updated. Addition of Magic Musicals since the previous observations.
July 22nd
Snapshots of the local ensembles Teesside and Tyne & Wear updated. Addition of Magic Musicals since the previous observations.
July 22nd
A new service is reported to have popped up on the UK local ensemble Bournemouth. Hot Radio is reported to be broadcasting in "original-flavour" DAB at 56 kbit/s, Mono LSF.
July 21st
In the Netherlands, a revision to the licence of multiplex operator MTVNL has been published in the Staatscourant. MTVNL currently broadcasts on a number of different frequencies (5A Friesland, 5B Zuid-Holland & Zeeland, 5D Flevoland, 7C Groningen-Drenthe, 8C Limburg Zuid, 9C Brabant-Limburg Noord, 11A Noord-Holland, 11B Overijssel and 12B Gelderland-Utrecht) with some broadcasting their own multiplex, and others broadcasting a common multiplex. MTVNL will be able to broadcast virtually nationwide on Block 7D. The change will be made gradually, with the final transmitters switching by September 1st, 2022. The timing of each region is dependent upon other changes taking place in neighbouring countries. The regulator is to seek international coordination for the use of Block 7D in Zeeland. In the meantime, when this area switches from Block 5B it will move to an interim allocation of Block 9A.
July 21st
On Trial London, Asian Star Radio has been relabelled ASIAN STAR RADIO.
July 20th
On the Czech ensemble formerly labelled RTI cz DAB but since relabelled RTI cz DAB1, the service PROGLAS has been relabelled Radio PROGLAS. The service DAB PLUS TOP40 has been relabelled DAB plus Top40. The addition of the numeral to the Ensemble Label hints at further future changes.
July 20th
In Switzerland, a new transmitter has been brought into service on Block 12A. Semione Pizzo Matro extends and improves coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR I01 in an area including Leventina, Riviera, Val di Blenio and Biasca.
July 20th
Five new services are reported to have popped up on the UK local ensemble Swansea SW Wales. Abs C Rock, Country Hits, Hits Radio, Magic Chilled and Magic Soul are each running in Mono at 80 kbit/s. The existing services Wave 80s and Total Access have ceased.
July 20th
Five new services have popped up on the UK local ensemble Bradfrd&Huddersf. Abs C Rock, Country Hits, Hits Radio, Magic Chilled and Magic Soul are each running in Mono at 80 kbit/s. The existing services Pulse 80s and Total Access have ceased. Snapshot updated.
July 20th
Six new services have popped up on the UK local ensemble Stoke & Stafford. Abs C Rock, Country Hits, Hits Radio, Magic Chilled, Magic Musicals and Magic Soul are each running in Mono at 80 kbit/s. The existing services Signal 80s and Total Access have ceased. Snapshot updated.
July 20th
On the UK local ensemble Surrey-NSussex, the service Eagle 80s has ceased. Snapshot updated.
July 19th
In Sweden, a new ensemble has popped up in Stockholm on Block 12A. BAUER MEDIA has seven audio services on board, each broadcasting in DAB+ at 128 kbit/s.
July 18th
In the Netherlands, two of the new local ensembles appear to be using the same EId, despite having different content and different Ensemble Labels. Stedendriehoek in Apeldoorn and DAB Lokaal 35 in Amsterdam both appear to have the EId 8037. Coincidentally (or not!), both ensembles are operating on Block 5A. The local ensemble RANDSTAD-ZW on Block 8B in Zoetermeer appears to use the EId 2712, which is not TS 101 756 compliant for a Netherlands ensemble.
July 16th
A new service has popped up on Trial Glasgow. The Max is broadcasting in "original-flavour" DAB at 112 kbit/s. The existing service Nation Radio has dropped to 112 kbit/s at Protection Level 2. The packet data service muxcast.com has dropped to 80 kbit/s. Snapshot updated.
July 16th
A new service has popped up on Trial Portsmouth. Hot Radio is broadcasting in DAB+ at 48 kbit/s. The existing service Test Channel has dropped to 64 kbit/s. Snapshot updated.
July 16th
In Sweden, a new data service has popped up on the Block 12D Stockholm ensemble NENT GROUP. SPI is running in packet data mode at 32 kbit/s.
July 16th
On the Netherlands regional ensemble 9D Noord-West NL, the service Radio Continu 2 has taken over the SId formerly used by Radio Continu 3. The latter has now ceased.
July 16th
On the Netherlands regional ensemble 6B Oost-Noord NL the service Radio Continu 1 now has the SId formerly used by Radio Continu 3. The latter now has a new SId.
July 16th
In Germany, the Hamburg ensemble NDR HH has switched from Block 7A to 10A. Hamburg K11C has switched from 11C to 10D and has been relabelled Hamburg K10D.
Stories prior to this date are now stored on the DAB Archives pages.
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