European radio stations accelerate the adoption of the 'Euro-chip'

The ‘Euro-chip’ is already in production and ensures the interoperability of all new digital radio receivers in European countries where broadcasters are using DAB, DAB+ or DMB, and/or analogue AM and FM.

BBC and Deutschlandradio have joined forces with the support of the European Broadcasting Union to accelerate the adoption of a universal chip that allows radios to receive multiple broadcast standards, benefiting users, broadcasters and manufacturers across Europe.

Annika Nyberg Frankenhaeuser, EBU Media Director, welcomed the initiative of these two members of the EBU announced during the Conference on Digital Radio that closes today in Brussels with the participation of fifty directors of European public radio stations.

The ‘Euro-Chip’ presents a set of minimum features and functions, originally created by WorldDMB, for all digital radio receivers. It is already in production and ensures the interoperability of all new digital radio receivers in European countries where broadcasters are using DAB, DAB+ or DMB, and/or analogue AM and FM.

The collaboration between the English and German public broadcaster has been announced by Deutschlandradio CEO Steul Willi and BBC Director of Audio and Music Tim Davie.

"Digital radio in Europe has been affected by uncertainty. We could be reaching a tipping point, but first we need to lay the foundations for the digital future of hybrid radio and join forces to promote a common vision across Europe," said Davie.

For his part, Steul added that “digital radio is a technology invented in Europe and broadcasters in Europe can demonstrate that we are capable of working together to ensure the future of radio.”