Radio 4’s Long Wave (LW) service will close later this year, with listeners given advance notice and support to switch to alternative ways of listening. The BBC points to ageing infrastructure and declining audiences, with most listeners now tuning in via FM and DAB digital platforms. Given these factors, investing in upgrading the LW equipment is not considered a cost-effective solution for licence fee-funded services.

The latest audio-video trends report from Arcom offers a timely snapshot of media consumption in France, confirming that radio remains a central pillar of the audio landscape, reaching 73% of the population. With live listening still dominant via broadcast networks such as FM and DAB+, and nearly a quarter of radio devices now DAB+ compatible, the findings underline the growing role of digital terrestrial radio within a hybrid ecosystem. Jean-Marc Dubreuil, WorldDAB’s Country Manager for France, highlights what this means for the future of radio.

Insights shared by Groupe Secom Director Laurent Hongne show a clear correlation between DAB+ rollout and rising digital audiences, with each expansion of DAB+ coverage in France driving increased listening across apps and online platforms. Rather than cannibalising digital, DAB+ is shown to act as a powerful engine for visibility, credibility and audience growth. The findings reinforce the role of DAB+ as a catalyst within a hybrid radio ecosystem, strengthening both broadcast and digital engagement.

New data confirms that broadcast radio remains the dominant mode of listening, with audiences continuing to rely on free-to-air platforms including DAB+. Radio’s strength in the car and its universal reach underline the importance of ensuring seamless access to broadcast services in connected environments. As audio consumption becomes increasingly hybrid, DAB+ is well positioned to combine the scale and resilience of broadcast with the expectations of digital audiences.

Broadcast Services’ digital radio network has expanded its programming lineup with a station focused on electronic music genres. ZUN Radio has been available since Tuesday, April 7, 2026, on all of the operator’s transmitters across five Czech regions. The station is intended for fans of electronic music. The programming focuses on genres such as soul, acid jazz, disco, nu-disco, soulful house, funky house, jackin’ house, and garage. During the night, the lineup also features deep house and tech house. The Broadcast Services network covers Prague, the Central Bohemian, Pardubice, and South Moravian regions, the Vysočina region, and the Moravian-Silesian region. The Jihlava-Jeníkov and Ostrava-Lanová transmitters have the highest power output.

Artificial intelligence and synthetic media formed the backdrop to discussions about radio’s future at the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2026 in Kuala Lumpur. Reporting on the event, Les Sabel, chair of the WorldDAB APAC Technical Group, says the symposium theme — “The Rising Synthetic Era” — reflects a period of rapid change in how audio content is produced, discovered and distributed. Much of the discussion at the conference focused on the evolving role of DAB+. During the conference, Lindsay Cornell of the BBC outlined the technology’s continued development and global expansion. Cornell highlighted the extensive coverage now achieved across Europe and the growing adoption of DAB+ in Asia-Pacific and Africa.

Listeners on the Isle of Wight will gain access to more local radio stations as a new small-scale DAB multiplex begins rollout from 18 April. The service from Wight Digital Radio is expected to reach around 80% of the island’s population at launch, with plans to expand coverage further as additional funding becomes available over time. Wight Digital Radio is a Community Interest Company formed through a partnership between Isle of Wight Radio and Vectis Radio, aiming to support the long-term future of local broadcasting. Eight stations will be available initially, covering community, specialist and commercial output. Kelvin Currie from Vectis Radio said: “It’s great that we will be able to secure the digital future of some existing local stations and increase listener choice with some new stations.”