Denmark Drop FM
Following Norway’s commitment to convert to DAB by 2012, and the UK’s decision to name 2015 as the switch-over date to DAB, Denmark are also following a DAB only future.
This came about because the Danes needed to decide on what to do with their existing FM network. Do they re-work and upgrade FM or go for a digital future?
As it turns out DAB has enjoyed a very successful start-up in Denmark. It offers listeners 13 extra stations they can’t get on FM. Not surprisingly take up has been very strong with 30% of the population owning a receiver and monthly reach is 40%. Three of the top 5 stations are DAB only services and as popular as any of their FM rivals.
So the Danes have decided to drop the re-planning of the FM network to work out a long term digitization plan for radio which will extend the transmission network and upgrade to the more efficient DAB+ codec.
The Danish government haven’t gone as far as announcing the switch-off date, despite pressure from the radio industry to do so, but it’s coming.
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