Norway FM to DAB Switchover Announced
It has been confirmed today that Norway will switch off FM radio in 2017, the first country in the world to shut off analogue for all major radio stations. The switchover will take place over a 12 month period starting in January 2017. It will begin in Northern Norway and will be implemented region by region and completing in December 2017. Norway was the first country in the world to fully switchover to digital TV in 2009.
Norway launched DAB in 1995 at the same time as the UK and the digital radio take up and coverage statistics in Norway track slightly ahead of the UK .In Norway DAB coverage is 99.5% and 56% of radio listeners use digital radio every day. In the UK BBC national coverage will reach 97% by the end of this year and 44% of listeners listen via a digital platform each day. In Norway 55% of households have DAB radios, while in the UK 48% of households have access to at least one DAB radio. In Norway, 20% of private cars have DAB digital radio – in the UK this is currently estimated to be around 15%. In Norway 29% of new cars have digital radio fitted as standard, while in the UK 61% of new cars have digital radio fitted as standard.
The announcement from Norway comes at a time when Denmark, Sweden , Switzerland and German are reviewing the time frame for development of digital radio and a potential switchover. In the UK the Government and broadcasters are planning for a digital future for radio and investing in expanding National and Local DAB coverage towards FM equivalence and launching new digital radio stations. Government has established switchover listening criteria of 50% and will review the decision and timeframe for a future UK radio switchover when that is achieved which is expected in the next 2 years.
Welcoming the news, Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK says: ‘Norway was the first country to switchover to digital TV and we expect their announcement of a 2017 radio switchover to signal the start of a transition to digital radio across a number of European markets. In the UK the Government believes the future of radio is digital, and we are making good progress on achieving the agreed switchover coverage and listening criteria.’
Patrick Hannon, President of WorldDMB, says: ‘This announcement is a key milestone in the development of digital radio. It sends a clear signal to Europe and the rest of the world that digital radio is the platform of the future. Norway’s success has been based on a clear plan and strong commitment from broadcasters, policy makers and manufacturers.’
Paul Smith, Pure’s General Manager, says: ‘As one of the original digital radio pioneers, this announcement is music to our ears and gives clarity to consumers and the radio industry in Norway allowing us to push ahead our digital radio plans with certainty. We look forward to working closely with radio industry stakeholders in Norway to ensure a smooth transition by continuing to stimulate the market with new and innovative products.’