Latest / RedTech daily podcast - Powered by AI / CES 2026 and Innovations in D.A.B. Technology

Transcript

CES 2026 and Innovations in D.A.B. Technology · RedTech daily podcast - Powered by AI

• 0:00
  Welcome to the RedTech daily podcast, powered by artificial intelligence.
• 0:04
  I'm Marguerite Clark, here to bring you the latest in radio broadcast and digital audio
• 0:09
  industries.
• 0:11
  Today, we'll cover CES 2026 highlights on artificial intelligence, standards, and
• 0:17
  manufacturing tech for broadcasters, U.DAB's launch of the largest small-scale D.A.B.
• 0:23
  multiplex in the United Kingdom, Belgium and Netherlands radio campaigns raising €36
• 0:28
  million, and much more.
• 0:33
  CES 2026 is set to open in Las Vegas, promising a tech-focused event that's highly relevant for
• 0:40
  broadcasters, audio technologists, and media engineers.
• 0:45
  Programming runs from January 6th to 9th across multiple venues, offering sessions on
• 0:51
  artificial intelligence, industrial transformation, and the role of standards in
• 0:55
  technology scaling.
• 0:57
  A special highlight includes French athlete Anouk Garnier's world record attempt in rope
• 1:02
  climbing, showcasing immersive capture technology.
• 1:05
  U.DAB, a digital radio multiplex operator based in London, has launched the largest small-scale
• 1:14
  D.A.B.
• 1:15
  multiplex in the United Kingdom.
• 1:19
  This new multiplex brings 26 radio services on air across North and Central London.
• 1:25
  After an extended trial period, the fully licensed multiplex went live on January 5,
• 1:32
  2026.
• 1:33
  U.DAB's expanded transmitter network now covers an estimated four million adults, improving
• 1:39
  indoor and mobile reception while supporting local and specialist services.
• 1:44
  The small-scale D.A.B.
• 1:45
  framework, introduced by the United Kingdom regulator Ofcom, is designed to aid community
• 1:50
  and smaller commercial broadcasters by reducing the cost and complexity of digital
• 1:55
  transmission.
• 1:56
  U.DAB's shareholders include Audessence, Sammy Jacob, Solar Broadcasting, Muxnet, and
• 2:03
  community stations like Reprezent, Rinse, and Resonance.
• 2:07
  The launch lineup features a diverse range of stations such as Select Radio, Asian Star
• 2:11
  Radio, and Fun Kids, among others.
• 2:15
  Martin Spencer, founder of U.DAB Limited, expressed that the launch marked the completion
• 2:20
  of a long-term project, reflecting the commitment of participating stations.
• 2:26
  He anticipates an exciting future for community and independent local commercial stations on
• 2:30
  U.DAB, continuing to broaden the range of D.A.B.
• 2:35
  listening choices in London.
• 2:37
  Limited capacity remains available for additional services, indicating potential for
• 2:42
  further expansion.
• 2:43
  Year-end radio campaigns in Belgium and the Netherlands have raised over €36 million for
• 2:51
  charity.
• 2:52
  In the Netherlands, NPO 3FM's Serious Request broadcast from a glass house studio in Den
• 2:58
  Bosch, collecting €18.4 million to support children with muscular diseases.
• 3:03
  Meanwhile, Belgium's De Warmste Week campaign, hosted by VRT, raised €9 million for projects
• 3:10
  addressing invisible illnesses.
• 3:13
  RTBF's Viva for Life focused on child poverty, raising €8.9 million.
• 3:20
  These initiatives highlight the cultural significance of public radio in these regions.
• 3:26
  Nautel has updated its Advanced User Interface, which has been a staple for transmitter
• 3:30
  management for decades.
• 3:33
  The new HTML5-based interface offers unmatched speed, adaptability, and security.
• 3:39
  It streamlines the detection and resolution of radio transmitter issues, allowing for remote
• 3:45
  management that reduces the need for on-site visits.
• 3:48
  This upgrade makes operations more efficient and less resource-intensive.
• 3:53
  The interface is compatible with modern web browsers and features commercial-grade
• 3:57
  broadcast instrumentation, customizable alarms, and robust security protocols.
• 4:04
  ERF Medien e.V., a Christian media organization in Wetzlar, Germany, operates the ERF Plus
• 4:11
  D.A.B.
• 4:12
  plus radio station across central Europe.
• 4:16
  To ensure top-notch signal quality, they've implemented the Inovonics Sofia 563 D.A.B.
• 4:23
  plus Site Streamer for monitoring.
• 4:26
  This device allows real-time verification of parameters like carrier integrity, metadata
• 4:31
  accuracy, and slideshow quality.
• 4:35
  It also generates an internal stream from the off-air signal, providing the media house with
• 4:40
  what listeners receive.
• 4:42
  This local monitoring capability is invaluable for ensuring content reaches audiences as
• 4:47
  intended.
• 4:49
  Inovonics emphasizes the Sofia 563's comprehensive monitoring capabilities for
• 4:54
  broadcasters in D.A.B.
• 4:56
  plus environments, offering a reliable solution.
• 5:00
  European availability and responsive support were crucial factors for ERF Medien e.V.
• 5:06
  The engineering team appreciates the seamless deployment of a recent firmware update,
• 5:10
  showcasing the system's maintainability.
• 5:13
  The Sofia 563 continues to be an essential tool for ensuring signal quality across ERF Plus's
• 5:19
  extensive network.
• 5:22
  Axel Technology's Tiger E3/E5 platform now features the TigerSync Streamer option,
• 5:29
  enhancing audio distribution and remote monitoring for broadcast facilities.
• 5:35
  This update integrates synchronized internet streaming, maintaining sub-millisecond accuracy
• 5:41
  across backbone, satellite, and internet sources.
• 5:45
  The system provides real-time monitoring, network-based control, and automatic status
• 5:50
  alerts, allowing centralized management without on-site intervention.
• 5:55
  Its scalability supports IP workflows, offering essential tools for modern multi-source
• 6:00
  operations.
• 6:03
  WorldCast Systems has released Version 1.3 software for its Audemat MC6 audio test
• 6:09
  platform, introducing two new modules to streamline lab workflows and enhance equipment
• 6:14
  calibration.
• 6:16
  The onboard signal generator now produces analog, AES, and MPX signals, ideal for
• 6:23
  calibration and alignment.
• 6:25
  Additionally, a suite of analysis tools, including distortion analysis and oscilloscope
• 6:30
  functions, provides advanced signal insights.
• 6:34
  The update positions the MC6 as a crucial tool for automated production testing and quality
• 6:39
  control.
• 6:41
  The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered audio listening habits in the United States,
• 6:46
  and new data from Edison Research shows these changes are here to stay.
• 6:51
  Their Share of Ear study reveals that at-home listening has stabilized at a higher level than
• 6:55
  pre-2020.
• 6:57
  Between 2023 and 2025, around 55 percent of daily audio listening time is spent at home,
• 7:04
  reflecting a more permanent shift in work and lifestyle patterns.
• 7:09
  This impacts broadcasters, podcasters, and audio platforms planning for long-term trends.
• 7:15
  Thank you for joining me on today’s episode of RedTech daily podcast, powered by artificial
• 7:20
  intelligence.
• 7:22
  To read more about these stories and stay updated on the latest in radio broadcast and
• 7:26
  digital audio industries, visit us at redtech.pro.
• 7:30
  I'm Marguerite Clark, and I'll catch you on the next episode.