Ten years of DAB+ planning security: Antenne Bad Kreuznach takes off!

Ten years of DAB+ planning security: Antenne Bad Kreuznach takes off!

Good news for all radio lovers in the Rhine-Nahe region! Antenne Bad Kreuznach has now secured a ten-year DAB+ license. This will come into force from April 1, 2026 and gives the broadcaster planning security until 2036. This was announced by the Rhineland-Palatinate media authority, which has also commissioned Milling Broadcast Services GmbH to operate the DAB+ platform for the region. The license not only covers Bad Kreuznach, but also extends to Bingen and the Hunsrück region.

The new DAB+ station in Stromberg was recently activated with a symbolic push of a button. Among those present were Rudolf Kauls and Christian Milling, managing directors of Milling Broadcast Services, as well as Michael Cyfka, mayor of VG Langenlonsheim-Stromberg. The offer created by this initiative aims to close existing supply gaps in the Hunsrück and expand the digital reach beyond the current marginal reception.

Technical advances and improvements in reception quality

The DAB+ platform in Bad Kreuznach was introduced as a pilot project in 2021. Since then, the local DAB+ multiplex has been broadcasting on channel 12A and has been successful. Milling Broadcast Services highlights that their use of an Open Digital Radio (ODR) toolchain enables cost-effective distribution of local radio without sacrificing audio quality. This is crucial to providing high quality radio programming in the region.

Particularly pleasing: From December 2020, all newly delivered radios must be DAB+ capable. This means that in the future many listeners will only have to switch to benefit from the improved sound quality and more stable reception. In addition, Antenne Bad Kreuznach can still be received on the VHF frequency 88.3 MHz, as well as on the cable network over 89.45 MHz and online via platforms such as iTunes and Alexa.

Regional focus and future prospects

The Rhineland-Palatinate media authority has unanimously decided to grant the license for the long-term operation of the DAB+ media platform. This is clear support for local and regional radio in the surrounding area, which enables broadcasters to create a reliable framework for investment and marketing. Managing director Christian Milling emphasizes the affordability of digital local radio broadcasting through robust technology and open software. The DAB+ license is not only a safety net for the broadcasters, but also a clear message to listeners: There is future-oriented radio here.

Overall, it can be seen that the technical conversion and the creation of stable regular operation of the DAB+ platform in Bad Kreuznach will take radio listening in this region to a new level. The anticipation for the coming years is palpable, because the diversity of the offering and the constant expansion of the range are on the agenda. It will be interesting to see what new formats and content await listeners from April 2026!

For more information on this topic, please see articles from Antenna Bad Kreuznach, Radioblog and Digital television.