Australians are embracing digital radio, with new data by GfK showing four out of 10 Australians in the five metropolitan capital cities now have access to a digital radio at home, work or in the car.

Joan Warner, CEO of industry body Commercial Radio Australia, said the industry was pleased with the strong uptake of DAB+ technology, which offers high sound quality and new digital-only radio stations.

During her welcome speech at this years Commerial Radio Conference, CEO Joan Warner launched a new marketing campaign for DAB+ digital radio featuring Australian beatboxer Tom Thum, creatively illustrating the many different genres and stations available on DAB+ digital radio in Australia, through the use of his incredible vocal techniques.
 

A new digital Radio service for the Print Handicapped (RPH) has been launched in Perth, returning radio reading services to those in the community with a print disability.

The service, called IRIS Perth, is part of a suite of free-to-access Perth community digital radio services. IRIS, is restoring a radio reading service for the local blind and low vision community.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is extending the current digital radio trials in Canberra and Darwin until 30 June 2016.

The trials are being conducted by Commercial Radio Australia and use DAB+ digital radio technology. Participants in the Canberra trial include The ABC and SBS with hopes that community services will join the trial soon.

Commercial Radio Australia says it looks forward to exploring how these services might become permanent as suggested in the Communications Department’s recently released Digital Radio Report.

Norway is set to be the first country to shut down FM radio, beginning in 2017.

The Norwegian Ministry of Culture announced this week it has set the date for the shut down, making it the first country to move away from FM radio entirely.  The country is set to adopt Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) as the national standard.  

The proposal was first introduced back in 2011, and the government has confirmed that the country is capable of meeting the requirements for a smoooth transition to digital.

Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) and Sony have teamed up for Mother's Day by offering a bonus offer on DAB+ digital radios.

The latest research by WorldDMB has revealed the growth of DAB digital radio adoption internationally and shows the commitment by the automotive and broadcasting industries to provide better in-car listening.

The research covers Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the UK

Three million people are now listening to DAB+ digital radio in the five metropolitan capitals each week, according to GfK survey 7 figures* released by CCRA. 

CRA has welcomed the decision by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to extend the DAB+ digital radio trial licences in Canberra and Darwin until 30 June 2015.

The scientific licences have been extended to provide an opportunity for broadcasters to experiment with new features and functionality on DAB+, as well as continue testing a range of planning techniques and equipment types.