Frontier supports broadcaster visuals on digital radio

Frontier Smart Technologies is helping to enrich the digital radio experience by supporting integration of full colour displays into DAB+ radios.

All Frontier modules now include support for a colour user interface, which allows users to benefit from the Slideshow services being offered by leading broadcasters around the world.

Slideshow is a core feature of DAB/DAB+ and enables radio stations to offer colour images, such as station logos, track and artist information, weather maps and traffic updates. Today major stations in Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and the UK all produce visual content delivered through Slideshow.

Prem Rajalingham, Managing Director, Frontier Smart Technologies, said: “We are delighted the technology benefits of DAB+ are being realised and Slideshow is being adopted by broadcasters with real enthusiasm. Powerful visual content completes digital radio experience. Frontier Smart Technologies is a leading driver of improved radio standards. We plan to continue leading digital radio development for the next ten years and more.”

DAB+ is now the de facto standard for digital radio in Europe – with national services achieving record listening numbers in Germany, UK¹, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Austria and Czech Republic. France is due to launch national services later this year. Further afield, Australia continues to expand its coverage – now reaching eight major cities.

This growth is underpinned by important regulatory developments in key markets. Italy and France have already introduced laws requiring all new radio receivers to have DAB+; and Germany has introduced a law requiring all consumer receivers capable of displaying a station’s name to have digital capability (either DAB+ or IP) from the end of 2020. Finally, across the EU, from 21 December 2020, all new car radios must be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio.

The next major spur to market growth is expected to be the switch-off of FM in Switzerland, which the Swiss regulator has confirmed will take place by the end of 2024. Further announcements on this subject are expected later this year.

With continued investment in digital radio, Frontier will deliver further product enhancements – to be announced later this year.

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Notes to editors:

Broadcasters making use of slideshow include:
Germany:                ARD stations include station branding, artist artwork, news headlines, weather, traffic information and adverts
Norway:                   NRK use slide shows extensively and include social media highlights
Netherlands:           NPO shows station branding, news headlines and song/artist information
Belgium:                 RTBF shows news headlines, traffic information and weather
Australia:                ARN and Nova user Slideshow to show advertisements
United Kingdom:   Global have experimented with radio sponsorship slides, transport live cam and studio live cam.

1   The UK is still primarily a DAB market, but a growing number of services are now on DAB+ (19 out of a total of 51 national services – and 150 local and small-scale services).

About Frontier Smart Technologies

Frontier Smart Technologies is a pioneer in technologies for digital audio and smart IoT devices. The company’s customers include Bose, Denon, harman/kardon, JBL, Onkyo, Panasonic, Sony, Yamaha, Altec Lansing, Blaupunkt, Grundig, Hama, Klipsch, Marshall, Pioneer, Pure, Roberts, TechniSat, Teufel and many more. Frontier Smart Technologies is a Science Group Company.

Contact details: Frontier Smart Technologies

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 1223 837666
Web: www.frontiersmart.com

About Science Group plc
Science Group plc (AIM:SAG) provides independent advisory and advanced product development services focused on science and technology initiatives. Our specialist companies, Sagentia, Oakland Innovation, OTM Consulting, Leatherhead Food Research, TSG Consulting and Frontier Smart Technologies collaborate closely with their clients in key vertical markets to deliver clear returns on technology and R&D investments. With offices throughout Europe, North America and China/Hong Kong and with over 30 languages written and spoken, Science Group supports a global client base.
Web: www.sciencegroup.com