Update History
January 23rd
The French regulator, the CSA, has advertised a national network of L-band frequencies. The CSA stipulates that if the network is to be used for a purely terrestrial service, then T-DMB should be used. However, where an applicant proposes a hybrid satellite/terrestrial service, then SDR or DVB-SH may be used in Band L, with DVB-SH being used in Band S. The CSA has published a map of the L-band allotments, which together cover the entire territory of mainland France and Corsica. Closing date for applications is February 27th 2012.
January 18th
In addition to the changes reported yesterday, a new Service ANTENNE Info has popped up on the Block 12D ensemble Bayern using DAB+ at 40 kbit/s.
January 17th
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12D ensemble Bayern. ANTENNE TOP40 is broadcasting in DAB+ at 72 kbit/s. The existing Service Rock Antenne has switched to using DAB+ at 80 kbit/s and has been relabelled ROCKANTENNE.
January 16th
A new Service has popped up on the Hong Kong ensemble DAB+ by DBC. 22URadio is broadcasting in DAB+ at 64 kbit/s. The service is testing currently, ahead of its official launch on January 18th.
January 16th
As expected, Radio Augsburg is now broadcasting in DAB+ on the local ensemble Augsburg, running at 88 kbit/s.
January 16th
D1 National Snapshot updated.
January 16th
Ayr Snapshot updated.
January 16th
Augsburg Snapshot updated. With uncanny timing, the new Snapshot is about to become out-of-date, when Radio Augsburg switches to DAB+ today.
January 16th
A new Service has popped up on the Swiss second-layer ensemble SMC_D02. ENERGY BASEL+ is broadcasting at 64 kbit/s in DAB+ and replaces the Service RADIO BASEL+, which has ceased.
January 14th
On D1 National, the packet data service MILE(UK) ITIS has been relabelled INRIX UK TPEG.
January 13th
Sachsen and Sachsen-Anhalt Snapshots updated.
January 12th
In Baden-Württemberg, the Block 12B transmitters at Aalen and Bad Mergentheim have migrated to Block 9D and now broadcast the ensemble SWR BW. The transmitter at Raichberg has migrated from Block 12B to Block 8D, also broadcasting the ensemble SWR BW.
January 12th
Berlin Snapshots updated.
January 11th
The UK regulator Ofcom published an interim statement just before Christmas, summarising responses to its consultation on DAB coverage planning and updating on the further work being done. Some of that work was due to have been completed by the year end. The report reveals that the Consumer Expert Group, comprising such consumer representatives as RNIB, British Wireless for the Blind Fund, the Voice of the Listener and Viewer and Citizens’ Advice has agreed to extend its role to consider the Digital Radio Switchover through a revision to its Terms of Reference. The report states that "DAB+ has been mandated in receivers". It does so in the context of an assertion by the Consumer Expert Group that the consultation should contain "some statement regarding the assumptions currently being made about DAB+ services from a technical perspective and the expected impact on coverage." The document does not state when DAB+ was mandated, nor by whom, but also does not contradict or qualify the CEG's assertion. But the interim statement goes on to say that "the coverage planning we are currently undertaking would be equally applicable for DAB+ services." The statement reports that merging some multiplexes and frequency changes in addition to those already proposed in its consultation have been discussed with operators. However no operator (Ofcom states) has yet applied to merge any multiplex areas. Ofcom intends to make a final report to Government on DAB coverage planning in the first quarter of 2012.
January 10th
Snapshot of the Block 9A Saarland ensemble SRDR added.
January 10th
Snapshot of the Block 7B Hessen ensemble hr Radio added. Snapshot of the Block 12C Hessen ensemble DR HESSEN updated.
January 10th
Snapshot of the Block 11A Rheinland-Pfalz ensemble DRS RP updated.
January 9th
Snapshots added of the Block 8D ensemble SWR BW and the Block 11B ensemble DRS BW. The Block 8D network will be joined on January 12th by transmitters operating on Block 9D.
January 7th
A new German ensemble has popped up on Block 9A in Saarland. SRDR is operated by the Land's public-service broadcaster, the Saarlandischer Rundfunk, beginning a process of migrating the broadcaster's services from Block 8B.
January 5th
On the Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz ensembles, the service SWR cont.ra is reported to have been relabelled SWRinfo, ahead of its launch next week.
January 5th
Three new services have popped up on the NDR ensembles in northern Germany. In Schleswig Holstein, the services NDR Traffic, NDR Info Spezial and NDR Musik Plus are running on NDR SH in DAB+ and have probably appeared on the other NDR ensembles also.
January 4th
The Service SWR 3 has popped up on the Block 7D ensemble DR Berlin rbb K7, running at 88 kbit/s in DAB+.
January 4th
The public-service broadcaster in southwest Germany, SWR, has announced that on January 12th, the Block 12B transmitters at Aalen and Bad Megentheim will switch to Block 9D and the Block 12B transmitter at Raichberg will switch to Block 8D.
January 4th
The public-service broadcaster in southwest Germany, SWR, has announced that its Service SWR cont.ra will become SWRinfo on January 9th.
January 3rd
On the local ensemble Cambridge, the Service Affinity Cambs has ceased.
January 3rd
The intermittent Toronto ensemble CHANNEL 4 has not been seen since the end of November and may have ceased permanently. The L-band transmissions were believed to be Canada's last remaining DAB ensemble.
January 1st
The Peterborough Evening Telegraph reports that that a new Service, Black Cat Radio, is to begin broadcasting on Peterborough from January 2nd. According to the new station's website, the service is already broadcasting.
DAB 2011 - an End of Term Report
Wohnort invited opinions from members of the DAB industry to get a sense of what the year's most significant digital radio developments were.
Following the recent good signals from Europe and elsewhere, it seems that DAB/DAB+ is here to stay for a long time, whether you like it or not. FM was invented in 1935, first used for broadcasting around 1955 and widely adopted in the eighties. Yes, DAB system has been standardised 20 years ago but it is now on the right track with new content, new countries, receiver prices dropping, car industry starting integration, democratisation of transmission for smaller stations. 20 years mean also that it will very soon fall into the public domain as the patent pool will expire. So there will be few reasons not to include DAB/DAB+ in any mobile terrestrial broadcast receiver, even if it has been designed to make tea too ;-)
Mathias Coinchon, EBU
2011 has been a pivotal year for DAB/DAB+ for two main reasons:
1) the switching on of national digital radio in Germany
2) advances in in-car DAB with emphatic commitment to line-fit from the majority of car manufacturers, plus the release of adapters such as the Highway 300Di to convert the "car parc"
On top of those two, there was strong market growth in all DAB+ regions, and trials in even more territories. This growth, along with a year of international sport and real investment in DAB promotion in the UK make us very hopeful about 2012.
Colin Crawford, PURE
There are three hilltop sites transmitting DAB+ signals on air.
This give a coverage of 55% of population in Hong Kong.
By February 2012, four more hilltop sites of DAB transmitters will be built, 95% coverage will be achieved.
There are 12 channels of services are offering on air 24 hrs, 7 days a week.
7 channels of services are now provided by Digital Broadcasting Corporation Hong Kong Ltd.
5 channels of services are now provided by Radio Television Hong Kong (Government station).
Metro Broadcast and Phoenix U Radio will join in their broadcast first quarter next year.
More than 50,000 receivers were sold to the public.
More receivers will be demanded when the other two braodcasters join the full launch early next year.
Simon Heung, DBC, Hong Kong
2011 saw the launch of more new national stations, plus strong audience growth for existing brands like Smooth Radio UK and Absolute 80s. And the end of the year saw a bit of excitement too.
Now Digital, the UK's biggest local multiplex operator, welcomed a range of stations including bold pioneers from Community Radio, some strong local brands alongside quasi-national channels (like Absolute 60s). The closure of Traffic Radio was disappointing but the result of government cuts rather than radio industry issues. 2012 will see more change, more choice and companies like Now Digital, Digital One and their shareholder Arqiva continuing to invest to deliver a bright future for radio.
Glyn Jones, Digital One and Now Digital
In 2011, we saw an increase in commitments to the roll-out of DAB+ networks in Europe.
This is not just the national and regional multiplexes in Germany, but also in Poland, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and Spain. There is also growing pressure from independent broadcasters in France for DAB+.
In Asia, we saw new DAB+ and/or DMB networks in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam.
With FM switch-off now being discussed in many countries, it is clear that 2011 was the year when the inevitability of digital radio became the generally accepted.
Edwin Kayes, VDL
2011 has shown that the move to digital broadcasting may seem slow, but it's certainly inexorable. The UK industry continues to work on the Digital Radio Action Plan, the most definitive piece of work to move an entire industry from analogue to digital; Germany has embraced Digital Radio with an enthusiasm that seemed unthinkable three years ago; major automotive manufacturers have unequivocally committed to including digital radio in the dashboard; trials and launches of digital broadcasting are happening in a ever growing number of countries, and there seems a new sense of enthusiasm in the industry for the possibilities of digital. It's also the year when the phrase "digital radio" began to mature as way of describing all forms of digital distribution - digital broadcast, IP streaming, and hybrids of both. I see that as an indication that radio people around the world are no longer shying away from digital, but embracing the change.
Nick Piggott, Radio DNS
The 2011 was real start of DAB services in CZE provided by TELEKO Comp. We are ahead to build receivers market, increase the number of programs and
DAB operator. TELEKO promise to improve dAB coverage across Czech Republic.
Tomas Rapek, TELEKO
Finally, Wohnort's view of the year's most significant development:-
The successful launch of the national ensemble in Germany, with compelling content from 90elf and others, and the conversion of the regional platforms to DAB+. These events will be significant not just for the German radio market, but also in Germany's neighbours, some of whom had been brutally candid about their "wait and see" approach. Further extensions to Germany's national network are expected in the New Year, and the regional roll-out is to be consolidated with new sites and additional services. Already, there are murmurs of a possible second national mux. German DAB+ is still a "Breaking News" story.
Wohnort
Thanks to everyone who responded to their invitation.
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December 30th
The Service MDR Jump has popped up on the Block 7D ensemble DR Berlin rbb K7, running at 88 kbit/s in DAB+.
December 27th
The public-service broadcaster in Berlin/Brandenburg, RBB, has announced that from January 1st, its Block 7D ensemble DR Berlin rbb K7 will be transmitted from the site Berlin Alexanderplatz in addition to the existing site, Berlin Scholzplatz. The services mdr Jump and SWR 3 will be added to the ensemble on the same day.
December 27th
On D1 National, the Service Smooth Xmas has been relabelled Smooth Radio 70s. Snapshot updated.
December 24th
The UK website Radio Today reports that a new Service, Smooth Radio 70s is to launch on D1 National on December 27th, using capacity currently occupied by Smooth Xmas. Since it started, that service's SId has changed from ( C3C4) to ( C3C5).
December 23rd
The operator of the national ensemble in Germany, Media Broadcast, has brought a new transmitter into service at Daun, extending coverage of DR Deutschland in the Eifel region of Germany. The new site is operating on neither of the existing national frequencies, Block 5A and 5C, but on Block 12A which was already co-ordinated and had been in use previously for the regional ensemble in Rheinland-Pfalz.
December 22nd
The French multiplex operator VDL has announced that a further 15 digital commercial radio stations will begin broadcasting in Lyon in 2012, including ADO, Antinea Radio, Beur FM, Crooner, Euronews, Just Hit, Generations, La Radio Plus, Prestige FM, Radio Festival, Radio Public Santé, SNCF La radio and Urban Hit. Joining these stations will be new local stations: Radio Vinci Autoroutes Sud and Phare FM.
December 20th
The BBC has brought three transmitters into Service on Block 12B:
Newcastle, Dundrum Bay in Northern Ireland
Coker Hill, Yeovil
Broughton Moor, Workington
December 20th
The operator of the national ensemble in Germany, Media Broadcast, has brought a new transmitter into service in Schwerin, extending coverage of DR Deutschland to the Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
December 20th
In Germany, the Block 12C ensemble Sachsen-Anhalt has been relabelled K12 S-ANHALT.
December 17th
On the Swedish ensemble SR Riks DAB, a special Christmas Service SR Bjallerklang ("Jingle Bells") is running at 128 kbit/s. On the test ensemble in and around Stockholm, Teracom Test, the Service SR P2 Musik has been temporarily replaced by SR P2KlassiskJul ("Classic Xmas"). Both Christmas services are expected to run until January 9th.
December 16th
The ensembles in Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt and Thüringen have been relaelled as follows:-
- Sachsen Block 6C/9C - SACHSEN
- Sachsen Block 12A - K12 SACHSEN
- Sachsen-Anhalt Block 11C - S-ANHALT
- Sachsen-Anhalt Block 12C remains Sachsen-Anhalt
- Thüringen Block 12B - K12 THUE
December 16th
On the Südtirol/Alto Adige Block 12A ensemble RAIRASDAB12A, the Service RAS B5 aktuell is reported to be using Protection Level 5.
December 16th
The official Swiss DAB coverage prediction map has been updated to show the effect of the recently introduced Block 7D transmitters on reception in eastern Switzerland. Further transmitters are planned, improving coverage still further.
December 16th
The BBC has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12B. Copt Oak improves coverage of BBC National DAB in Leicester.
December 14th
Snapshots of the Czech ensemble TELEKO DAB updated.
December 14th
Toronto's on...off...on...off Block L4 ensemble is currently..... off, and has been since the beginning of the month.
December 13th
The public-service broadcaster in southwest Germany, SWR, has announced that its services will switch to using DAB+ from December 14th, with the exception of SWR 1 BW, SWR 1 RP and SWR cont.ra, which will continue to be broadcast in "original-flavour" DAB for the time being. In Baden-Württemberg, two ensembles will operate. One, exclusive to SWR will operate on Block 12B, but will gradually migrate to either 8D or 9D, according to location. The first two transmitters, Feldberg and Hornisgrinde, will come into operation on Block 8D on December 14th. Other sites will follow in January 2012. A second, mixed public/private ensemble will operate on Block 11B. Private-sector radio services are expected to launch on Block 11B during the second quarter of 2012. In Rheinland-Pfalz, a mixed public/private will operate on Block 11A. Private-sector services are expected to launch in the second quarter of 2012.
December 13th
The Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced that four new transmitters will be brought into service on Block 7D on December 15th. Attinghausen (Schiltwald) will extend the second-layer ensemble SMC_D02 to Brunnen, Amsteg, Erstfeld and Altdorf. Wattwil (Chapf) will serve Bütschwil, Wattwil, Ebnat-Kappel and Krummnau. Rüthi (Bismer) will extend coverage along the Rheintal. Wildhaus (Säntis) will provide coverage in Appenzell, Urnäsch, Hundwil and Jakobsbad. The new sites will be considered to be under test until February 1st 2012.
December 13th
The media regulator in the German Land Hessen, LPR Hessen, has awarded capacity on the forthcoming Block 11C ensemble to Radio TEDDY. The LPR Hessen has also re-advertised the remaining capacity on the ensemble. 400 CUs are available. The ensemble is expected to begin broadcasting in the first quarter of 2012 and will be transmitted initially from Frankfurt Fernmeldeturm (5 kW) and Großer Feldburg/Taunus (5 kW) with the possibility of adding Wiesbaden/Mainz Kastell (10 kW). Although not stated, the latter may depend upon the uptake of capacity. Services will be broadcast in DAB+ with a maximum of 72 CUs being available per service. Unusually, the LPR Hessen has announced that there is to be no closing date to the advertisement, only a starting date, which is December 19th. First come, first served?
December 13th
Listing of the Block 12A Swiss ensemble SRG SSR F01 corrected.
December 13th
Snapshot added of the Marseille ensemble TDF_Marseille. This ensemble has the same EId as the Lyon ensemble TDF_DMB_7D although the contents of the two ensembles differ. The ensemble is transmitted on Block 8B and not the frequency previously listed.
December 9th
The French newspaper Les Echos is reporting (under the headline "A new standard to save digital radio") that the media regulator in France, the CSA, is to call upon the Ministry for Industry to adopt DAB+ as a digital radio standard alongside DMB-Radio.
December 9th
Snapshot of the Nantes ensemble GRAM updated.
December 7th
The media regulators for Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Niedersachsen have announced jointly that insufficient responses were received to their Call for expressions of interest in capacity for private broadcasters on a DAB+ to serve Hamburg and Hannover. The Landesmedienanstalten will therefore not take any further steps to establish a regional multiplex for the time being.
December 7th
In Germany, the Bayerischer Rundfunk has announced that two new transmitters, at Brotjacklriegel and Hoher Bogen, will be brought into service on Block 11D on December 9th.
December 7th
The BBC has brought a new transmitter into service on Block 12B. Conway improves coverage of BBC National DAB in and around Conwy in north Wales.
December 7th
The media regulator in Thüringen, the TLM, has awarded capacity on the Block 12B ensemble DABTHUERINGEN to ERF Medien e.V. for its Services ERF Plus and ERF Pop, which will be broadcast in DAB+.
December 6th
A new ensemble is reported to have popped up on Block 8D in western Baden-Württemberg. Six test services are reported to be running.
December 6th
The BBC has brought a new transmitter into service on Block 12B. Varteg Hill improves coverage of BBC National DAB in and around Ystradgynlais in south Wales.
December 3rd
The media regulator in Baden-Württemberg has permitted all five services that applied for capacity to attempt to negotiate transmission contracts with the multiplex operator Digital Radio Südwest. Capacity exists on the multiplex for four services. Should all five services still be in the running by March 2012, the LFK will decide which four of the five should be awarded capacity. The Block 11B multiplex will be shared with the public-service broadcaster Südwestrundfunk. The applicants are:-
- Schwarzwaldradio
- bigFM Worldbeats
- Live Radio
- Arena
- Radyo-Türk
December 3rd
In Germany, the Service RT1 IN THE MIX is reported to have migrated from the local ensembles Augsburg, Ingolstadt , Muenchen and Nuernberg to the Block 12D ensemble Bayern where it is reported to be running at 72 kbit/s in DAB+.
December 1st
Humberside, Leicestershire , Nottinghamshire , Sheffield , Teesside and Tyne & Wear Snapshots updated.
November 30th
The Hessen Block 12C ensemble is reported to have popped up again, with the services FFM and harmony on board.
November 29th
A new Service has popped up on London 2. Absolute Rad 70s is broadcasting at 64 kbit/s in Mono LSF. The existing Service Absolute Rad 00s has dropped to 64 kit/s Mono LSF.
November 29th
A new ensemble has popped up on Block 11C in Sachsen-Anhalt. MDR S-ANH is broadcasting 9 services including those of regional public-service broadcaster, the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, in DAB+.
November 29th
A new ensemble has popped up on Block 6C in Sachsen. MDR SACH is broadcasting the services of regional public-service broadcaster, the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, in DAB+.
November 29th
A new service has popped up on the pilot community ensemble in Denmark, NivaaDAB. Humleborg,R.Nord is a parallel transmission of the service broadcasting in Fredensborg on 104.3 MHz and which carries, in rotation, the programmes of Radio Humleborg, Radio Nord Fredensborg and JP Radio. The DAB+ service is running at 88 kbit/s.
November 28th
The BBC has brought two new transmitters into service on Block 12B. Camlough improves coverage of BBC National DAB in and around Newry, Northern Ireland. South Knapdale extends coverage on the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland.
November 28th
A new ensemble has popped up on Block 7B in Hessen. hr Radio is broadcasting the services of regional public-service broadcaster, the Hessischer Rundfunk, in DAB+.
November 26th
The media regulator in Thüringen, the TLM, has announced that from December 1st, the radio services of the regional public-service broadcaster MDR will be broadcast on Block 9C. According to the MDR website, the change will be accompanied by an increase in transmission power in the region Erfurt and Weimar.
November 26th
Two mainland Chinese ensembles in Shenzhen, SZ-TV 1 and SZ-TV 2, that previously put a good signal into the border area of Hong Kong can no longer be received and are assumed to have ceased.
November 26th
A new ensemble has popped up on Block 8D in Marseille. Licensed by the CSA as an experimental transmission, the ensemble, operated by RAJE, is reported to be broadcasting 13 services in a mixture of DMB and DAB+.
November 25th
The Arbeitsgemeinschaft Privater Rundfunk, an association representing private radio broadcasters in Hamburg, Niedersachsen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein, has sharply criticised the decision of the public-service broadcaster for northern Germany, NDR, to launch three new services on its recently-launched multiplexes as being "without legal basis". If allowed to take place, the new services would set in stone a shift in the balance of the public/private radio landscape to the detriment of the commercial broadcasters.
Wohnort adds: It could also be argued that the regional commercial sector was afforded an opportunity to participate in the new digital radio landscape with the recent call for interest in Hamburg and Hannover but, with the exception of two broadcasters, declined to do so. At the end of the day, the APR's attempt to prevent the new NDR services will probably succeed or fail on the strict legal interpretation of the State Treaty. In the great worldwide DAB laboratory, we have already seen what happens where you "launch" DAB but don't provide new services. This time around, however, it's not just the regional commercial broadcasters versus the regional public-service broadcaster. In the third corner, we have now a national multiplex with new services from the private sector! In other words, the move by the APR, even if successful, is unlikely to be as detrimental to digital radio as it would have been without the national mux.
November 25th
A new Service has popped up on the second-layer Swiss ensemble SMC_D02. Radio 105 is broadcasting in DAB+. From reports from the reception area, it appears the Service and Component Labels may differ, the longer of the two being Radio 105. As previously announced, the Service CH-Classic+ has ceased and is now broadcast only on the first-layer ensemble SRG SSR D01.
November 25th
In Germany, the Stuttgart-Frauenkopf transmitter of the national ensemble DR Deutschland has migrated from Block 5A to 5C. Other sites in southwest Germany are likely to follow.
November 25th
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced that a new transmitter will be brought into service on November 30th. Arbaz – Ayent, Pas de Maimbré on Block 12A will extend and improve coverage of the Suisse Romande ensemble SRG SSR F01 in Sion, Nendaz, Evoléne, Montana, Sierre, Leuk and Steg. The new transmitter will run under test until January 1st 2012.
November 25th
A new service is reported to have popped up on the Block 12D ensemble Berlin/BRBG 12. Radio Paloma is reported to be broadcasting at 192 kbit/s in "original-flavour" DAB.
November 24th
The mixed public/private ensemble in Hong Kong has migrated from its "test transmission" allocation Block 11D to its future home of Block 11C. The fact that the migration has taken place indicates that an official public launch may not be far away. 12 audio services are being broadcast in DAB+ on the ensemble, DAB+ by DBC. Snapshot added.
November 24th
The German website DXaktuell reports that the public-service broadcaster in northern Germany, NDR, will begin a new music service, NDR Blue, to be broadcast on DAB+. A start date was not yet known.
November 24th
The BBC has brought a new transmitter into service on Block 12B. Ben Gullipen extends coverage of BBC National DAB to Callander and the surrounding area in Stirlingshire.
November 23rd
London 3 daytime Snapshot updated.
November 22nd
The new Service Absolute Rad 60s is is reported to have popped up on Ayr, Coventry, Humberside, Lancashire, Leeds, Liverpool, London 3, Sheffield, South East Devon, South East Wales, Swindon, Teesside, Tyne & Wear, West Wiltshire
November 22nd
A new Service has popped up on South East Wales. f is broadcasting at 64 kbit/s. Absolute C Rock has dropped to 64 kbit/s.
November 22nd
The public-service broadcaster in northern Germany, NDR, has begun broadcasting in DAB+. Its services have popped up on the existing ensemble in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Block 12B), and new ensembles have popped up in Schleswig-Holstein (Block 9C) and Hamburg (Block 7A). In Niedersachsen, an MFN is being operated from Hannover/Telemax (Block 6D), Visselhövede (Block 6A) and Steinkimmen (Block 12A).
November 22nd
On the Block 12B ensemble in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Block 12B), now being used by NDR, the DeutschlandRadio services have ceased.
November 21st
The Dutch public-service broadcaster, the Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (NPO) has invited tenders to operate its transmission network from September 2012. The network is currently operated by KPN Broadcast, and that contract ends August 31st 2012. The new contract will run for five years. The NPO intends to switch to DAB+ and for the transmission network to be expanded to cover virtually all of the Netherlands. Closing date for bids is January 25th 2012.
20.11.2011
In Italy, an experimental ensemble has reappeared on Block 12C in Torino, home of the Centre for Research and Technical Innovation of the public-service broadcaster RAI. RAI STRAT/CRIT is reported to be broadcasting six audio services, four of which were silent when reported, and a DMB-Video service.
November 19th
In Slovenia, the regulator APEK has extended by one year the licence of the Block 12B ensemble RTV Slovenija. The transmissions from Krvavec are expected to continue.
November 18th
The Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced that a new transmitter is expected to be brought into service on November 21st. Herisau Ramsen will extend coverage of the Block 7D ensemble SMC_D02 in Herisau in canton Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Gossau in southern St. Gallen. The transmitter will be considered to be on test until January 1st 2012.
November 18th
The public-service broadcaster in Hessen, the Hessischer Rundfunk, has been observed testing on its future frequency, Block 7B, in place of the hitherto Block 12C. During the tests, the version of the regionalised service hr4 transmitted was that for Frankfurt (Main). The official start date for HR's DAB+ services is believed to be December 2011 but there appears to be no indication of this on HR's website. If it is mentioned, it is not exactly prominent.
November 17th
The public-service broadcaster in northern Germany, NDR, has announced that its DAB+ service will commence on November 22nd. Transmissions will cover, initially, Hannover, Hamburg, Kiel and Schwerin plus the Lüneburger Heide (Sender Visselhövede) and the conurbation Delmenhorst Bremen (Sender Steinkimmen).
November 16th
The media regulator in Baden-Württemberg, the LFK, has received applications from four private broadcasters to operate five radio services in DAB+.
- bigFM in Baden-Württemberg GmbH & Co.KG. - "big FM Worldbeats"
- DigitalRadio BW GbR (Regenbogen, Radio7, Antenne1) - "LiveRadio" und "Arena"
- Natus Media GmbH, Siegburg - "Radyo-Türk"
- Schwarzwaldradio Digital Beteiligungsges. mbH i. Gr. - "Schwarzwaldradio"
The LFK had advertised capacity for three or four services, depending on the capacity required per service. The LFK expects to reach a decision before the end of the year and for the services selected to begin broadcasting in April 2012 on an ensemble to be shared with public-service broadcaster SWR and transmitted from ten or eleven sites.
November 15th
The Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced that as a consequence of a further private radio service appearing on the Block 7D ensemble SMC_D02, the parallel transmission of Radio Swiss Classic on both Blocks 7D and 12C will end and Radio Swiss Classic will thereafter be transmitted exclusively on the Block 12C ensemble SRG SSR D01.
November 14th
The German media website InfoSat is reporting that a second national DAB multiplex is being planned for Germany. The website reports Helmut G. Bauer, Managing Director of Digitalradio Deutschland as saying that the mux is planned to launch with about 20 services to coincide with the 2012 Internationale Funkaustellung at the beginning of September.
November 11th
The public-service broadcaster in southwest Germany, SWR, has announced that it will end mediumwave transmissions from the beginning of January 2012. The move will lead to considerable savings for the broadcaster. The service SWR Cont.Ra will thereafter be available on DAB. In addition, SWR will launch a new service, SWR Info, on DAB.
November 9th
The BBC has brought additional transmitters into service on Block 12B: Heolgerrig, Merthyr Tydfil; St Mawes Water Tower, Falmouth; Crumhaugh Hill, Hawick; Epping Green, Hertfordshire and Stockend Wood, Gloucestershire.
November 9th
The Norwegian public-service broadcaster NRK has announced ambitious plans to serve almost 100% of the population through DAB. During 2012, indoor reception will be improved in existing coverage areas by means of power increases and gap fillers. During 2013, 19 new main transmitter sites will be added to the network, bringing coverage to 90% of the population. The third, most challenging phase will involve hundreds of small relay stations being brought into service during 2014.
November 8th
In Denmark, the pilot local ensemble, NivaaDAB, has popped up again on Block 9B. The transmitter equipment was damaged during an exceptionally violent thunderstorm in August. Four DAB+ audio services are being transmitted.
November 7th
In Germany, the Service MEGARADIO Bayern has migrated from the local ensembles Augsburg, Ingolstadt, Muenchen and Nuernberg to the regional ensemble Bayern, where it is labelled MEGARADIO BAYERN.
November 5th
On the ensemble Berlin/BRBG 12, the Service pure fm dance is reported to have ceased.
November 2nd
A new Service has popped up on the German ensemble, DABTHUERINGEN. The regional service MDR THUERINGEN O (Ost/East) is broadcasting in DAB+ at 88 kbit/s.
The existing service MDR THUERINGEN has been relabelled MDR THUERINGEN M (Mitte/Central) is running at 88 kbit/s in DAB+.
November 1st
A new Service has popped up on the national ensemble in Germany, DR Deutschland. sunshine live is broadcasting in DAB+ at 72 kbit/s.
November 1st
On the UK ensemble D1 National, the Service Jazz FM National is running at the reduced bitrate of 80 kbit/s.
November 1st
On the UK ensemble D1 National, the Service Ho Ho Ho is running in its own sub-channel and has been relabelled Smooth Xmas, which is running at 80 kbit/s.
November 1st
The public-service broadcaster in southwest Germany, SWR, has updated information about the changes to take place in Baden-Württemberg in November:-
The transmitters Hornisgrinde, Oberböhringen and Ettlingen-Wattkopf will migrate from Block 12B to 11B on November 3rd, with ERPs of 50w, 1kW and 1kW respectively.
On November 9th, the transmitter at Vogtsburg will migrate, with an ERP of 1kW.
On November 10th, the transmitters at Lahr and Langenbrand will follow, with an ERP of 700w each. All of the above sites will form an SFN together with the existing Block 11B transmitters at Heidelberg (10 kW) und Stuttgart-Degerloch (10kW).
A switch to using DAB+ will follow later in the year.
November 1st
On the Danish ensemble DR DAB1, the Service DR P2 has been relabelled DR P2 Klassisk. On DR DAB2, the Services DR Klassisk and DR Dansktop have ceased. The Service Radio 24syv has now officially launched.
Stories prior to this date are now stored on the DAB Archives page.
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