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Deployment of digital terrestrial radio in France: DAB+ launches in Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan, Alès, Béziers and Narbonne
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Digital terrestrial radio takes another step forward with the launch of DAB+ radio stations in the Occitanie region. Browse the list of available radios.
Digital terrestrial radio or DAB+ is gradually being rolled out across France. Every year, new transmitters are put into service to ensure ever-finer coverage of the country.
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Arcom approved the start-up of broadcasts and the entry into force of 52 DAB+ publisher authorizations, i.e. 4 multiplexes, in the following areas:
Montpellier étendu, Montpellier local, Nîmes étendu and Perpignan étendu.
Find out more about the DAB+ rollout roadmap 2022-2024
On Thursday March 9, Arcom member Hervé Godechot, chairman of the "Radios and digital audio" working group, took part in the press conference organized by operator TDF to launch digital terrestrial radio in Occitanie at the Montpellier-Bionne transmitter site.
"DAB+ is now rolling out an extended supply in Nîmes and above all making its massive entry into the radio landscape in Montpellier, Perpignan and the surrounding area. Listeners in the region are joining the 45%-plus French population who can listen to terrestrial digital radio in mainland France. Arcom will continue to support the rollout of DAB+, which combines the best of both worlds: digital audio quality and FM resilience and free terrestrial radio", says Hervé Godechot, member of the Arcom board.
What is DAB+?
DAB+ radio (Digital Audio Broadcasting, the "+" corresponds to a development in the worldwide digital terrestrial radio (DTR) diffusion norms) complements FM diffusion, whose frequency band is now saturated.
Digital terrestrial radio or DAB+ is gradually being rolled out in France. Every year, new transmitters are put into service to ensure ever-finer coverage of the country.
DAB+ in Montpellier
Montpellier multiplex (also shown in Narbonne and Béziers)
- Radio Lenga d'Oc
- RCF Occitanie Méditerranée
- 100 %
- Ado
- CapSao
- Jazz Radio
- Melody
- Oüi FM
- Radio FG
- Radio Nova
- TSF Jazz
- Sud Radio
- France Bleu Hérault
Montpellier local multiplex
- Divergence FM
- FM Plus
- Radio Aviva
- Radio Campus Montpellier
- Radio Clapas
- Hello Occitanie
- Radio Flash
- Radio One
- RTS
- Chérie FM Montpellier-Sète
- NRJ Montpellier-Sète
- Beur FM
- Crooner Radio
DAB+ in Nîmes
In Nîmes, 26 radios are already shown on DAB+.
Nîmes multiplex étendu (also shown in Alès)
- Ecclesia
- 100% Souvenirs
- Hello Occitanie
- Maritima
- RTS
- Chante France
- Jazz Radio
- Radio FG
- Radio Nova
- Radio Orient
- TSF Jazz
- Sud Radio
- France Bleu Gard Lozère
DAB+ in Perpignan
Perpignan multiplex (also shown in Céret and Prades)
- Pyrénées FM
- RCF Occitanie Méditerranée
- 100% Pays Catalan
- Hello Occitanie
- RTS
- CapSao
- Chante France
- Jazz Radio
- Radio FG
- Radio Orient
- TSF Jazz
- Sud Radio
- France Bleu Roussillon
Listen to your favorite radio station digitally
Arcom's Ma Radio DAB Plus service is regularly updated by our teams, as DAB+ technology is rolled out across the country.
You can browse the interactive Ma Radio DAB Plus map below (click on the map). Once you've entered your desired location (by department, then by town), you' ll find out which digital radios are currently available in your area.
DAB+ technology: benefits for listeners and radio stations alike
The DAB+ standard brings benefits to both listeners and radio stations.
For listeners:
- Better sound quality;
- Greater continuity of listeners on the move;
- The arrival of new stations;
- The enrichment of the audio stream with associated digital data (various and varied information, song titles, logos and images such as record sleeves...).
For radio stations :
- Pooling of broadcasting costs by grouping stations on the same frequency within a multiplex;
- Extended coverage in a context of FM band saturation;
- Assurance of survival in the future digital ecosystem, in synergy with 5G mobile networks.
Questions and answers
No, because unlike DTT for television, DAB+ technology has the advantage of being able to coexist with radio's "traditional" broadcasting method, the FM band. This means that digital terrestrial radio can work in tandem with FM diffusion, just as DTT had rapidly replaced analog television diffusion in France. Of course, as with FM, reception of DAB+ radio will remain totally free of charge.
As with DTT, your reception equipment must be compatible. While DAB+-compatible radios can receive FM signals, the reverse is not always true.
To receive digital radio, you'll need the right equipment. There are a wide range of DAB+ receivers available at very different costs, starting from a few dozen euros. Since the end of 2019, all radio receivers sold in France, except car radios, must integrate DAB+. As of mid-2020, all car radios in new cars sold in France will also incorporate DAB+. The European Electronic Communications Code, which must be transposed into French law by the end of 2020, also makes provision for DAB+ integration in radio receivers.
If you have a problem receiving a radio station via an antenna (FM radio, digital terrestrial radio), we advise you to check whether the station of your choice is being shown in the zone concerned. To do this, browse the My FM radio application.
If the station is indeed being shown in the area concerned, but the reception problem persists, you can contact Arcom.
The French radio landscape is characterized by its richness and the sheer number of different services on offer.
The radio supply varies from city to city.
That's why listeners at home or on the move often have to ask themselves this question:
What radio stations can I listen to where I am?
Simply enter the name of the desired listening location, and "Ma Radio FM" lists the radio programs likely to be heard in the commune indicated, their frequency of diffusion and the name of the point from which the program is shown.
(e.g. France Inter on 87.8 MHz from the Eiffel Tower).
On the same subject
24 January 2023
First digital terrestrial radio trials in overseas France
For the first time, digital terrestrial radio, or DAB+, will be tested for nine months in the French overseas territories.
07 November 2022
Deployment of digital terrestrial radio in France: DAB+ multiplexes start up in Angers, Caen and Le Mans
Arcom has set the start date for DAB+ authorizations in the local allotments of Angers, Caen and Le Mans, and in the extended allotment of Caen and Le Mans. Find the list of radios available in DAB+ in each of these zones.
17 May 2022
Deployment of digital terrestrial radio in France: DAB+ multiplexes start up in La Rochelle, Orléans, Poitiers and Tours
Digital terrestrial radio takes another step forward with the launch of DAB+ radio stations in the La Rochelle, Orléans, Poitiers and Tours areas.