The Kommission zur Ermittlung des Finanzbedarfs der Rundfunkanstalten (KEF), which is responsible for setting fiscal policy for public broadcasting in Germany, has deemed Eureka-147 DAB unworthy of further investment.
The KEF is calling for €166 million slated to fund public-service DAB projects from 2009 to 2012 to be reallocated to other projects.
The Initiative Marketing Digital Radio (IMDR), a consortium of receiver manufacturers, transmitter network operators, program providers and institutions backing the DAB standard, warns that the move could mean “chaos.”
“The digitalization of broadcasting is unstoppable, but it will be much more difficult without public radio,” stated an IMDR release.
Since 2001, some €179.5 million has been allocated to KEF for DAB projects. In explaining its recommendation to halt such funding after 2008, KEF stated that receiver options remained limited in Germany and that public support for FM radio and the availability of satellite radio, Internet radio, podcasts and other outlets have changed the nature of radio broadcasting since DAB was first envisioned.
A reserve of €42 million is being set aside by KEF to restart DAB projects, if the situation changes before the start of the next funding period.
