It is often presented as the radio of the future.
But his notoriety remains confidential to the general public.
Only 17% of French people are aware of digital terrestrial radio, or DAB+ (acronym for Digital Audio Broadcasting), according to a recent study by Médiamétrie.
Starting this week, this new technology is launching a first communication campaign.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture and orchestrated by the Ensemble pour le DAB+ association (Bureau de la radio, Sirti, Radio France), it is available via posters in the Paris metro and several large French cities, spots in radio, promotion on social networks, etc. At the same time, a website has just been created (www.ensemblepourledabplus.fr) in order to answer all listeners' questions about this method of broadcasting in digital quality and completely free.
“For listeners, the advantages are numerous”
“
DAB+ is a bit to radio what DTT is to television.
And for listeners, the advantages are numerous
,”
argues Hervé Godechot, president of Arcom’s “Radios and digital audio” working group.
They gain better listening comfort, with digital quality sound identical to that of a CD or a music streaming platform.
“
As it is a radio signal, which does not require you to be connected to the web,”
explains the Arcom expert, “
you do not have any crackling or interruptions on the highway each time the signal changes. regions.
» No need to know the frequency of the radio you are looking for either.
All you have to do is select your name and the connection is done automatically.
Finally, from an environmental point of view, digital terrestrial radio consumes less energy than FM, insists Hervé Godechot.
“
The current lack of awareness of DAB+ can be explained for two reasons.
Until 2021, the major radio groups, well established on FM, had not yet taken the plunge.
» Second obstacle: “
Coverage of the population has long remained limited.
We are deploying this new technology intensively and today it is accessible to 62
% of the population, compared to
only 45% two years ago
.”
According to the Ensemble pour le DAB+ association, 45 of the 50 largest cities in France and all the roads that connect them are covered.
“
The objective is to achieve within the next few years a coverage rate at least similar to that of FM, between 80
% and 90
% of the population
,” indicates Hervé Godechot.
DAB+ has led to the emergence of new entrants: AirZen, BFM Radio and Le Figaro Radio
People now need to take advantage of this technology and equip themselves.
“
New cars are equipped with a DAB+ car radio and most of the new sets offered in stores integrate this technology, with the exception of the entry level.
And they are not more expensive
,” argues the expert.
With 556 radios available, the offer is vast.
On the one hand, DAB+ has enabled existing stations, such as NRJ, RTL, France Inter, Europe 1, Radio Classique, etc.
to complete their territorial coverage.
On the other hand, it has brought about the emergence of new entrants: AirZen, BFM Radio and even Le Figaro Radio, already present in Paris and in the metropolitan areas of Marseille and Nice.
Abroad, certain countries have perfectly integrated this new method of distribution.
In Norway, technology has replaced the FM band since 2017. In Switzerland, the end of FM will take place at the end of 2026. Digital already represented more than 70% of listening to all radio stations in the English market in the third quarter. 2023, of which more than 42% via DAB+, according to the British measurement institute Rajar.
“
In Belgium, audiences for digital terrestrial radio are already higher than those for FM
,” notes Hervé Godechot.