China’s National Radio and Television Administration announced that it has adopted the Digital Radio Mondiale standard for future use in its shortwave and medium-wave broadcasting bands.
The regulator publicly made the announcement on Aug. 1, formally authorizing the use of the DRM standard for digital broadcasting in these bands for China’s domestic radio services. The NRTA is a ministry-level regulator that oversees the country’s broadcasting and audiovisual services.
Technical specifications for digital audio broadcasting were released by the NRTA on July 29. The document notes that this is a sovereign implementation aligned with DRM but excludes certain features such as DRM robustness mode E.
The specifications support multiple transmission modes and bandwidths, enabling dual-use scenarios such as the simulcasting of analog AM alongside digital DRM services.
[Related: “DRM Releases Consumer Radio Standard”]
According to the DRM Consortium, 31 automotive manufacturers and approximately 70 industry stakeholders have been involved in exploring the deployment of domestic DRM services in China.
China currently operates seven DRM-capable shortwave transmitters for domestic coverage, primarily targeting the densely-populated eastern provinces. These transmitters, the consortium says, can also be used for China Radio International’s worldwide programming.
China National Radio already broadcasts daily DRM shortwave content intended for domestic audiences, covering several regions across the country.
(Read the DRM announcement regarding China’s public adoption of the standard.)
