Radio Frankfurt switches off FM frequencies-what does that mean for you?

Radio Frankfurt switches off FM frequencies-what does that mean for you?

Bad Nauheim, Deutschland - The media scene in Hessen is currently changing. Radio Frankfurt 95.1 has now switched off two of its seven FM frequencies, whereby the affected locations in Gießen/Liebigstraße are located on 105.2 MHz and in Wetzlar/Aßlar Klein-Alten kits. This shutdown of frequencies, which were equipped with a transmission performance of 500 watts each, was approved by the Hessen media facility, which gave its okay in April 2023. With this step, the Radio Frankfurt FM is restricted to the metropolitan region, since only five FM locations remain active in this country. Particularly bizarre: There are hardly any alternatives for FM listeners in the regions of Gießen and Wetzlar.

But how do the listeners continue in Gießen and Wetzlar? In the south of these regions, Radio Frankfurt 95.1 could possibly be welcomed to 90.7 MHz via the Sender Bad Nauheim, but with a significantly lower transmission power of 320 watts. Despite this changeover, Radio Frankfurt continues to be represented via DAB+ in the Regional Mux Hesse Süd on Kanal 12c, and that over a total of five locations. A big advantage of DAB+ is the larger range compared to FM - even if the data rate is 56 kbit/s at the lower end of the quality level.

The digital age taps the door

The departure from FM to DAB+ is a trend that not only Radio Frankfurt follows. Auch Deutschlandradio stellt in mehreren Regionen, darunter Hessen, auf digitale Programmverbreitung um. From June 30, 2024, the analog radiation via FM transmitter with a low range will be set. Programs such as Deutschlandfunk, Deutschlandfunk Kultur and other formats are affected. This applies to special locations in Hesse as well as adjacent federal states such as Bavaria and Thuringia. The switch to DAB+ not only offers higher sound quality, but also a number of additional services without having to fall back on the Internet or data volume.

Deutschlandradio has now announced that it will expand its nationwide DAB+ broadcaster network to 170 locations by the end of 2024. Regional specialist dealers are included in the marketing and communication measures in order to help people have questions about the changeover. For this purpose, public events and digital radio days are planned in several regions in order to promote awareness of DAB+ and to bring the advantages of the digital radio world.

A look into the future

The switch to digital radio is very relevant for all listeners in Hesse. Consumers face the challenge of getting used to the new forms of reception. FM is no longer the sole king of the radio waves, because DAB+ not only brings more programs, but also a better sound quality and new possibilities. It remains to be seen whether all of this will be well received in the long term. But one thing is certain: the digital future has already entered Hesse.

Further information on the changeover and the new technical possibilities can be found on the website of digitalfernsehen.de, radioszene.de and Deutschlandradio.de.