DRM Newsletter February 2025
DRM Digital Radio
The only all-band frequencies (AM and FM), global, open, green digital terrestrial broadcasting ITU recognised standard.
Dear Friends, Colleagues and Partners,
February has been a month of many events and announcements. First, we were very happy to release the DRM Consumer Radio Receiver Functionality Recommendation (rxspec.drm.org). More about this document that describes the core functional parameters of consumer radio receivers capable of receiving DRM radio broadcasts is below. We will also present how this document fits with the other key technical documentation about the standard.
The newsletter also details how the DRM Consortium has marked important days like the World Radio Day and International Day of Education 2025.
The presence of the Consortium at a workshop in Brazil, at the HFCC meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE, at an ITU event in Geneva, Switzerland, and the preparations for the workshop and presentation at the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium (DBS) in Malaysia, at the end of the month, all complete a very busy DRM calendar.
The newsletter also includes press articles and updates on other DRM activities and interesting videos demonstrating the power of DRM across continents.
We are also giving some details on big events sponsored or involving the DRM Consortium like the DRM General Assembly. Make sure that you check all of these.
Please do not forget to check the winter schedules now posted on our website: schedule.drm.org. A word of caution as the schedules are simply what we receive from other broadcasters and organisations. Please let us know if you see any discrepancy or have an addition.
We have continued to get many questions on all things DRM and please send us your own queries to: [email protected].
We have also revised and updated some of our marketing materials. Please check the English, French, Portuguese and the recently added Arabic versions of DRM at a glance.drm.org in the easily accessible page pocket.drm.org.
Finally, please do not forget to follow and subscribe to all our LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram channels. And if you’d like more information about joining the Consortium, so you are fully involved with our work and have access to specialist experts and more information, please contact [email protected].
Latest News
DRM Consumer Radio Guide – Important Release
The DRM Consortium has just released its DRM Consumer Radio Receiver Functionality Recommendation (rxspec.drm.org). The document describes the key functional parameters of consumer radio receivers capable of receiving DRM radio broadcasts. The document is an important guide to receiver manufacturers, but also broadcasters and regulators, so that consumers get a common and consistent DRM digital radio experience. See news.drm.org.
The news was widely covered by the press, which also shows us how eagerly the document was awaited.
DRM Consumer Radio Guide – Important Addition in Support of Receiver Manufacturing
The recently released DRM Consumer Radio Receiver Functionality Recommendation (rxspec.drm.org), a guide for radio manufacturers, completes a triad of key documents available from?drm.org?to any manufacturer, broadcaster and regulator interested in implementing DRM. Please go to DRM Technical Documentation to see how.
DRM Celebrates World Radio Day
The theme for World Radio Day 2025 year was “Radio and Climate Change”. The UNESCO initiated anniversary was an excellent occasion for the DRM Consortium to remind the world community that the DRM digital radio standard can contribute to radio digitisation in energy efficient ways. The DRM standard, available?in all frequency bands (below and above 30 MHz), can be the major building block of a national emergency warning policy, providing full and continuous alert services, audio, text, maps in more than one language. More details on news.drm.org.
Also in the Press: DRM embraces theme of World Radio Day 2025 – RedTech
DRM South Africa Group Makes the World Radio Day Special
The news released by www.worldradioalliance.com confirms the important place of radio which reaches up to 90% of the population in key markets and commands the largest share of ad-supported audio listening and remains the most trusted medium worldwide.
This is particularly true in Africa. Our colleagues in the DRM South Africa group (www.drmsa.org) have taken the initiative to celebrate the global radio day in style and spread the word about the great advantages of the Digital Radio Mondiale – DRM standard in their country and around focusing on the power and great benefits of DRM digital radio. Key members of the DRM South Africa Group gave interviews to Ubuntu Radio, Pulpit Radio (www.pulpit.co.za) and LM Radio as well. As Karel Verhoef of Pulpit Radio mentioned in his interview, radio is evolving and DRM as its future should be embraced so it can lead the way for the good of communities in South Africa and elsewhere.
To listen to the interviews and to find out more go to news.drm.org.
DRM Contributes to Indian World Radio Day Celebration
Our Indian representative was also part of a celebratory panel discussion on radio held by the public broadcaster. Brush up your Hindi and you can fully enjoy it by going to news.drm.org.
DRM Also Marks UN International Education Day
A month ago, on January 24th there was another good opportunity for DRM to urge all interested stakeholders to rethink traditional education models using DRM Digital Radio. For compact and clear presentation of how DRM can revolutionise distance learning please go to news.drm.org.
DRM – Invited to ITU Event
The Digital radio Mondiale Chairman and TC Chairman have been invited for the first time to the Partner2Connect Annual Meeting of ITU at the end of January. The fundamentals of this initiative are the transformative power of digital inclusion and the impact of partnerships. These partnerships (with the biggest companies and foundations) in the world contribute to a treasure chest of billions of dollars used to increase connectivity and inclusion for the most disadvantaged communities in the world.
In this context the DRM representatives, present in Geneva, made the case for digital radio as an efficient way of connecting people and providing education and emergency warnings using the platform of DRM digital platform, even when IP is not available or affordable. The reality is that one third of the world population is offline and. In Africa data connectivity is 14 times more expensive than on other continents.
A physical radio was used in Geneva to demonstrate to some of the participants how digital radio can be the source of complex audio and data information that can be received on mobile phones without the need for IP, expensive wires and satellites.
Here are some of the key resources ITU shared after the annual event:
DRM – Not Forgotten in Latin America
Though the radio digitisation seems to be stagnating in countries like Brazil, a recent workshop held virtually tried to bring all interested party up to date on global digital radio developments. As a result, the 150 workshop attendees expressed strong and renewed interest in Brazil’s adoption of digital radio now. The options are still unclear (Workshop Rádio Digital discute o cenário brasileiro e o futuro da radiodifus?o sonora – ZYDIGITAL).
To enjoy and share the DRM presentations at the workshop and listen to the presentations in either English or Portugues please go to news.drm.org.
DRM and ATSC Strengthened Ties in USA
The big consumer electronics fair (CES) held in Las Vegas last month also occasioned a strengthening of the ties between the Consortium and the not-for-profit ATSC Consortium.
For more details go to news.drm.org.
DRM Opinion Pieces
As part of the general debate on the hottest points confronting radio and digital radio in particular, DRM chairman has recently contributed blogs on two “hot themes”: electric cars and radio, including the fear of interference and the threat or advantage of Artificial Intelligence for radio. Please see these two contributions below:
DRM Preparing for Key Events in the Next Months
The DRM Consortium is ready to participate in the Digital Broadcasting Symposium (DBS), the major event organised by ABU in Kuala Lumpur, 24-27 February. ABU DBS 2025.
“DRM – One Frequency for All Bands and Needs”?Workshop?will be a unique experience to learn and share practical information on the implementation of the preeminent digital broadcasting standard in the Asia-Pacific region, DRM. Alexander Zink and Dr Albert Waal will be your DRM guides on?February 25th?at 2 p.m. MST.
The Chair and Vice-Chair of the DRM Consortium will also give presentations?“Introducing Digital Radio - Is the Clock Ticking?”?in the DBS conference on?February 26th?(0900-1030 - Session 6 Advancements in Broadcasting Standards & Technologies).
Preparations are also underway for the DRM General Assembly 2025 to take place in Dubai, UAE at?Radisson Blu Hotel?on May 16-17 (following from CABSAT). Even if you are not a member there is an open invitation for you to attend on May 16th: DRM Digital Radio General Assembly Announced for May 16-17 2025 (news.drm.org).
There is a continuously updated page with current information on our website: drm.org/ga-2025.
Dr Roelf Petersen of Radio Pulpit - RIP
Dr Roelf Petersen, known personality in the South African industry, has recently died. He was the general manager of Radio Pulpit/Radiokansel in Pretoria, a DRM Consortium member. Dr Petersen’s commitment to new technologies and DRM, particularly, made it possible for the Consortium and South African specialists to carry out the first medium wave DRM trial in his country and on the African continent.
Strict, hard-working, outspoken and with a great heart DR Petersen remains a true digital radio pioneer in his country. RIP
Around the Web
Upcoming events
24-27 Feb - ABU DBS, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
9-11 Mar - Radiodays Europe, Athens
23-25 Apr - CCBN, China
1-4 May - WAVES/BES, Mumbai, India
7-9 May - eLearning Africa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
13-15 May - CABSAT, Dubai, UAE
16-17 May - DRM General Assembly, Dubai, UAE