Coimisiún na Meán is today (27.03.2025) announcing its support for a new DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) trial, set to begin in April of this year. The trial will expand the diversity of services available for Irish audiences and test DAB+ technology, providing an opportunity to explore its potential benefits for broadcasters and listeners.
The trial will operate for one year and is part of Coimisiún na Meán’s commitment to a modern, diverse and sustainable media landscape for Ireland.
Speaking at the Radio Days Conference in Dublin today, Coimisiún na Meán’s Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner, Aoife MacEvilly said: “By supporting this innovative new DAB+ trial and facilitating the broadcast of new digital services for Irish audiences, Coimisiún na Meán continues to demonstrate our strong commitment to pluralism and diversity on Irish radio.”
An Coimisiún has approved content provision contracts for this trial, ensuring the availability of a diverse and varied mix of voices, opinions, and sources of news and current affairs, as well as music programming. This trial will broaden listener choice, encourage creativity and innovation and boost the growth and sustainability of the broadcasting sector. It will also support increased representation and inclusivity, as well as foster a more dynamic and diverse media ecosystem.
Coimisiún na Meán will be working with the service providers to facilitate the new services through the awarding of content provision contracts. The DAB trial will facilitate a simulcast of existing radio services while also allowing a variety of new services such as niche and era-specific music services and new speech programming covering various genres such as social affairs, sports, youth-targeted topics and children’s entertainment.
The new trial will be operated by FáilteDAB who were issued a trial licence by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.