Digital radio has been given new life in Germany. After a period of uncertainty and government indecision on whether or not it will support DAB+, a new national network has been launched.The newly completed DAB+ network comprises 27 transmitters that deliver 14 new digital radio services to 40 million users in the major cities and on the autobahns. The project is being coordinated by ARD, the German association of public broadcasters, Deutschlandradio national public broadcaster, and Digitalradio Deutschland (DRD), a consortium of private broadcasters.
The public/private partnership promoting digital radio in Germany plans to gradually increase coverage with virtually all of the population able to receive services by 2014. The association of German vehicle manufacturers has announced support for the initiative.“In addition to allowing access to new stations, in-car digital radio provides access to new traffic and traveller information services through the TPEG protocol,” says Adam O’Shaughnessy, author of SBD’s new report The future of broadcast and Internet radio in the car. “There are discussions within the German government on mandating DAB+ for in-car radios,” he adds. “This would have a significant impact both within Germany and for the neighbouring countries.”
In response to the regeneration of digital radio in Germany, BMW has started to offer DAB+ tuners as an option in all of its models.The German DAB+ deployment was supported by Media Broadcast, part of the TDF group, that planned and installed the digital radio transmission network. The DRD group of commercial broadcasters includes Regiocast Digital, Die Neue Welle, ERF, Entspannungsradio, NRJ, Klassik Radio, NWZ/FOM and Radio Horeb. A group of electronics manufacturers comprising Pure, Sony, Philips, Roberts, Panasonic, Enspert Dual and Tivoli have committed to offering receivers in Germany.
Interested in learning more? SBD is closely monitoring the developments in the radio industry in Europe and the USA and the latest report The future of broadcast and Internet radio in the car ensures you have the latest intelligence about this dynamic market. To buy this report contact Alessio at ABallatore@sbd.co.uk.