Digital radio expansion accelerates across Europe with new legislation, services, and safety innovations
The momentum for DAB+ digital radio expansion across Europe gained renewed focus at the 2025 WorldDAB Summit held on November 20 at DPG Media’s headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium. The event drew broadcasters, policymakers, and industry partners to discuss the operational and commercial importance of DAB+ technology and its growing influence in the broadcast ecosystem. Jacqueline Bierhorst, WorldDAB President, opened the summit by underscoring DAB+ as a foundational element powering broadcast businesses while delivering tangible value to listeners in diverse environments, whether at home, work, or on the road. She advocated for strengthened legislative measures, specifically urging the European Union to mandate the inclusion of broadcast radio receivers in all new vehicles, not just those equipped with radios, to guarantee uninterrupted digital radio access for every driver.
Bierhorst’s call aligns with existing requirements under the European Electronic Communications Code, which stipulates that new vehicles sold or rented within the EU must include radios capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio, but only if radios are installed at all. Her suggestion to go further with legislation reflects a strategic effort to safeguard broadcast radio’s continuity amid rapid digital transformation.
To support this regulatory framework, WorldDAB announced a collaboration with consulting firm South 180 to create a public policy toolkit. This resource aims to assist governments and regulators in understanding the critical components for successful DAB+ deployment. Further research commissioned by WorldDAB will explore the role of broadcast radio in vehicles, analysing listener behaviour, preferences, and the significance of direct radio access without dependence on streaming or internet connectivity.
The digital shift towards DAB+ is well illustrated by Belgium’s advancing market. Updated audience data shows in Flanders that digital platforms account for 54% of all radio listening, with DAB+ comprising 32% of daily listening, averaging just over three hours per day per listener. Similar trends emerged from Wallonia, where digital listening reached 49% in 2024, with DAB+ representing 27% of listening time. Real-world in-car data presented by George Cernat from Xperi revealed that in Ireland’s ongoing DAB+ trials, vehicles equipped with the DTS AutoStage system exhibit 20.3% of overall listening via DAB+, with more than 90% of listening on overlapping FM and DAB coverage favouring the digital option.
Speakers from across Europe shared insights on recent service launches and market performance. Jonathan Wall, Director of BBC Sounds, highlighted the launch of three new digital music stations on DAB+ in the UK, underscoring the platform’s widespread uptake in homes and vehicles. In France, Charles-Emmanuel Bon from Radio France introduced “Mon petit France Inter,” a children’s DAB+-exclusive service tailored for young listeners aged 6–10 and families during car journeys. Sunrise Radio’s CEO Usha Parmar, alongside Director Raj Parmar, recounted the station’s growth from a local FM broadcaster into a wide-reaching DAB+ network covering multiple UK regions, reporting a striking 46.8% increase in listenership due to its digital expansion.
Engaging younger audiences remains a key challenge discussed amid these successes. Katerina Borovska from egta stressed that, although DAB+ forms the core “anchor” for reach and quality, broadcasters must maintain a robust multi-platform presence to connect effectively with youth, leveraging online and mobile channels alongside traditional broadcast.
Technical innovation was also a focal point, particularly Germany’s advances with the Automatic Safety Alerts (ASA) system on DAB+. This emergency alert mechanism is rigorously tested on air to ensure receiver performance and incorporates automated workflows to convert official text alerts into synthesized audio broadcasts. Spain is reportedly on track to become the first country mandating ASA capability in all newly sold radio receivers from the third quarter of 2026, marking a significant step in public safety broadcasting.
WorldDAB’s commitment to fostering service excellence was recognised through the 2025 Outstanding Service Award presented to Mate Botica, CEO of Croatia’s DAB+ network operator OIV, during the organisation’s General Assembly preceding the summit.
Looking forward, the region’s DAB+ expansion highlights include Estonia’s establishment of two commercial networks with growing transmitter infrastructure, Luxembourg’s imminent multiplex launch hosting twelve stations, and Ireland’s promising trial results signalling increasing digital listening in cars. This collective momentum paints a picture of DAB+ as a resilient and evolving broadcast pillar across Europe, bolstered by supportive legislation, technical innovation, and an expanding portfolio of engaging services.
For association executives and trade bodies within the broadcast sector, these developments underscore the importance of aligning digital radio strategies with evolving policy landscapes and consumer behaviours. The ongoing WorldDAB initiatives, including the public policy toolkit and new automotive research, present valuable resources for stakeholder engagement and member services planning. The Summit also signals a shift in regulatory and technological priorities, offering opportunities for collaboration and advocacy to maintain radio’s essential role in the digital age.