The landscape of digital radio broadcasting in Germany will expand from July 1st with a new regional multiplex. Listeners in selected areas will gain access to a wider palette of programs that will complement existing national and regional networks. The new DAB+ ensemble will focus on local content and genre diversity, aiming to increase the attractiveness of digital reception over the phasing out FM broadcasting.
By launching the new broadcasting block, operators are responding to growing demand for digital services. Modern DAB+ technology not only offers clearer sound without noise, but also accompanying information such as album art, station logos, or current traffic news. To receive these stations, listeners will need to run automatic tuning on their receivers for the new program offering to be stored in the device's memory.
New stations and technical parameters
New digital networks in Germany often bring together commercial stations and public service channels that previously could not fit into existing capacities. The July launch is expected to bring up to ten new slots for radio stations of various formats. Regional broadcasting is key for informing residents in a given area and strengthens the competitiveness of smaller media houses in the digital market.
The main advantages of transitioning to the new system include:
- Higher efficiency in spectrum utilization.
- Lower energy consumption of transmitters compared to analog.
- Ability to transmit supplementary text data in real-time.
Future of digital radio
Germany is among the leaders in Europe in the digitalization of the radio airwaves. The regular expansion of the offering in individual federal states confirms the declining importance of VHF broadcasting. Experts predict that the launch of this ensemble will further accelerate the sale of digital radios, which have been a mandatory part of the equipment of all new cars sold in the European Union for several years.
“Expanding the DAB+ offering is an essential step towards modernizing the media market and ensuring plurality of information at the regional level,” state representatives of regulatory authorities in press materials regarding the upcoming launch.
Due to technical specifications, signal reach may vary in the initial phase depending on the terrain complexity. However, the operator plans gradual densification of the transmitter network to ensure stable coverage not only in cities but also on major transport routes and in hard-to-reach areas. Listeners should pay attention to the specifications of their antennas, which should be optimized for reception in Band III.