Norway To Switch-Off FM In 2017

Within two years from now, the shutdown of national FM-networks begins in Norway. The switchover will begin in the North and will be implemented region by region.

Radio.no reports that on Thursday, the Ministry of Culture announced a national FM-switch off, to complete the transition to digital radio.

Norway is making an historical move into a new radio era, being the first country in the world to decide upon an analogue switch-off for all major radio channels. With DAB and digital radio, listeners will be provided with more radio channels and greater diversity in content.

Thor Gjermund Eriksen, head of NRK, says: "This is an important day for everyone who loves radio. The minister`s decision allows us to concentrate our resources even more upon what is most important, namely to create high quality and diverse radio-content to our listeners."

Thor Gjermun Ericksen

The DAB-coverage in Norway now exceeds FM-coverage. DAB provides Norway with 22 national channels, as opposed to five channels transmitting nationwide on FM.

Ensures a long life for radio

Radio on digital platforms ensures the radio media a long life for years to come. The Radio Industry is better equipped to evolve with listener`s needs and are thus better enabled to adopt to the ever changing patterns of media consumption.

Norway began the transition to DAB in 1995. In recent years two national and several local DAB-networks has been established. 56 per cent of radio listeners use digital radio every day. 55 per cent of households have at least one DAB radio, according to Digitalradio survey by TNS Gallup, continuously measuring the Norwegian`s digital radio habits.

STATS FOR DIGITAL RADIO IN NORWAY *

• 56 % of radio listeners use digital radio daily
• 44 % of listeners only use FM radio daily
• 20 % of private cars are equipped with DAB radio
• 55 % of all Norwegian households have at least one DAB radio.
• 7.9 million radio sets will be affected by FM-extinction. FM radios can be upgraded or recycled.

* Digital radio survey , TNS Gallup 2015

DAB COVERAGE

• NRK: at least 99,5 % coverage on DAB
• Commercial radio: 92.8 % coverage on DAB
• Community radio: 50 % DAB coverage on DAB
• DAB-covarage on roads are generally higher than on FM. All FM-transmitters in tunnels will be replaced with DAB.