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WorldDAB to Host Workshop at IBC Show

Will explore how radio broadcasters are taking advantage of DAB+ digital radio

In just a few short weeks, the IBC Show will return to the RAI in Amsterdam after its long pandemic hiatus. The conference, which takes place Sept. 9-12, will focus on the current and future trends that have emerged since the 2019 show — many of which were accelerated by pandemic.

As planning for IBC continues to ramp up, Radio World is asking exhibitors and other participants about their plans and expectations.

Will Jackson is the communications manager at WorldDAB

Radio World: In what form will WorldDAB participate at the IBC show in September?

Will Jackson

Will Jackson: WorldDAB is facilitating a two-hour workshop, highlighting new opportunities and new audiences on DAB+ on Sunday, Sep. 11, 10 a.m. to noon, in Room E102. The session is free for all exhibition visitor pass holders. 

The WorldDAB Project Office team will also be in attendance throughout IBC, meeting with our members who are exhibiting and offering services and solutions to assist with DAB deployment.

We’ll also be meeting with stakeholders such as regulators, broadcasters and network operators attending IBC from both existing and emerging markets around the world.

We’ve produced a map showing WorldDAB members’ stand locations around the IBC halls. This is available on our IBC 2022 event webpage, along with full details of our session.

RW: What will your organization’s theme, product or message to convention attendees be? 

Jackson: As always, WorldDAB is focused on facilitating the adoption and implementation of broadcast digital radio based on DAB, the digital radio standard adopted by broadcasters across Europe, Asia Pacific and beyond. 

WorldDAB delivers tailored solutions and advice on all aspects of the switch from analog to digital radio, including regulation, licensing, technical trials, network build-out, marketing and production of new digital radio content.

Our Sunday morning workshop will explore how radio broadcasters are taking advantage of the extra features brought by DAB+ digital radio to bring their audience a richer experience on national, regional and local radio. 

We’ll hear how metadata allows radio broadcasters to stay at the forefront of today’s booming audio market — especially in the highly competitive space of the connected car dash. 

We’ll also feature the exciting innovation of small-scale DAB, which makes use of open-source software along with broadcast hardware to provide affordable access to broadcast digital radio for smaller radio stations, including grass-roots community services, specialist music stations and services aimed at minority groups and other under-served audiences.

Small-scale DAB can complement more traditional solutions, offering lower cost, eco-friendly distribution to local and community broadcasters, offering more choices for listeners and making analogue switch-off more feasible.

Jacqueline Bierhorst

The session will be hosted by Jacqueline Bierhorst, project director at Digital Radio NL and vice president of WorldDAB, with speakers including the BBC, DAB Italia, Digris, Radioplayer UK and Xperi. We’ll also be joined by Ujima Radio from Bristol, U.K. and Amsterdam’s Jamm FM, both now broadcasting on small-scale DAB multiplexes.

There’ll also be plenty of time for attendees to ask questions.

[For News on This and Other Shows See Our Show News Page]

RW: What do you see as the most pressing challenge or issue facing people who work in global radio technology right now?

Jackson: WorldDAB brings people together to work on key projects for DAB+ digital radio, such as metadata and logo display. It’s vital we present one united voice to the big tech players, to ensure radio remains at the heart of the audio experience and that listeners can continue to enjoy the stations they love.

RW: What else will you be looking to learn or hear about in attending the IBC show?

Jackson: We always love meeting our members and other stakeholders from around the world to understand their evolving vision for the future of radio and audio. 

As we’re in Amsterdam, we’re particularly looking forward to learning more about DAB+ developments in this exciting digital radio marketplace. We’ll be tuning into the new national DAB+ multiplex launched earlier this year, which brings listeners 13 more commercial stations on DAB+.

RW: Anything else we should know?

Jackson: We’re really looking forward to connecting in person. IBC is always an important event, but it’s even more so this year as we’re able to reunite the sector back in the halls of RAI Amsterdam.

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