ASIA

Drivers can now listen to all their favourite podcasts, radio, and music from the BBC more easily than ever before, as the new BBC Sounds in-car app is now available directly from an in-car entertainment system for the first time.Where previously listeners needed a phone to access BBC Sounds in a car through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, they can now listen to music, radio, and podcasts from the BBC directly from the car’s display.Initially, the BBC Sounds in-car app is rolling out in select BMW and MINI vehicles with BMW Operating System 9 or MINI Operating System 9. Drivers can check their car’s compatibility using this list. The new app has been built to work on car displays powered by Android Automotive, and the BBC plans to launch it in other cars in the future.Once signed in, listeners will get a personalised experience which synchronises their playback history across devices. So, if listeners start a great true crime podcast like the new series of Bad People on their phone, they can pick up right where they left off when they jump in the car.Listeners can also rewind and pause live radio, allowing them to start shows like ‘The News Quiz’ from the beginning or resume after interruptions, such as a phone call. They can also find shows and music mixes they’ve previously bookmarked on the other versions of BBC Sounds, and get personal recommendations for new things they might like based on their listening.The in-car BBC Sounds app will be available in newer cars – which can be checked on this list – starting with BMW and MINI. Drivers can still listen to BBC Sounds by connecting their phones via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and those experiences will continue to be updated and developed in the future. Plus, it’s still possible to connect BBC Sounds via Bluetooth.Storm Fagan, chief product officer for the BBC, said: “People love to listen to the BBC when they’re in the car – it’s a huge part of how people interact with the BBC, and drivetime shows are still some of the most popular radio we make. But as technology in cars gets better, drivers have far more entertainment options. By launching this dedicated in-car app, we’re able to give drivers the full BBC Sounds experience – enabling them to listen to all their favourite podcasts, music mixes and, of course, live radio while they’re behind the wheel more easily than ever before.”Andrew Furse, BMW Product Operations Manager, said: “This latest integration complements the wide range of apps already available in our vehicles and underscores our commitment to delivering a seamless in-car entertainment experience.”

The in-car BBC Sounds app will be available, along with all other apps, within the vehicle’s Appstore. The vehicle’s Appstore is only available to drivers with a data service, such as a subscription to BMW Digital Premium or MINI Connected Package. […]

Frontier has announce that its DAB+ receiver solutions have passed the Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) certification, marking a key milestone to launching the safety system in 2025. ASA is a new standard for safety that […]

Registrations are open for the next edition of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union’s (ABU) Digital Broadcasting Symposium DBS), to be held from February 24 to 27 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.The symposium is back as an in-person event after a break of two years. The DBS2025 event, through its conference sessions, panel discussions, focused workshops and masterclasses, presented by eminent experts across the globe, will address challenges, find solutions and share experiences related to digital transition, technology implementation, creative content ideas, and enhancing user experiences.An ever-expanding range of technologies is now on the market, providing broadcasters with important new opportunities. DBS showcases these to help broadcasters make the right decisions.The symposium attracts close to 1,500 participants annually, representing over 350 organisations across the region and beyond.The growth in participation reflects the relevance of the issues covered at the conference, workshops and masterclasses, and the strong interest in the products and services on show at the exhibition.The number of exhibitors has also risen significantly. In 2005, DBS attracted just four exhibitors. By 2008 this had risen to 20, and by 2011 to 29. In 2019, 45 exhibitors showcased their products and services in 52 booths.The ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2025 promises four exciting days of innovation and insight.This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers, demonstrate your latest products and solutions, and strengthen your presence in the ever-evolving broadcasting landscape.

Register here. […]

New York Festivals Radio and TV & Film Awards have announced a new partnership with JusticeAid, a nonprofit organization dedicated to using art and music to raise awareness about civil rights challenges and inspire action for social justice. Together, they will launch the inaugural JusticeAid Award, a new honor that will recognize the highest-scoring entry across all Social Justice categories in the NYF TV & Film and Radio competitions.The JusticeAid Award will be presented to the entry that demonstrates outstanding storytelling in addressing critical social justice issues. The winner will be determined by the esteemed NYF TV & Film Awards and Radio Awards Grand Juries, who will evaluate entries across a range of categories.NYF Radio Categories eligible for the award include News Program, News Report/Feature, Documentary, Entertainment, Promo, Digital, Podcast, and Student. Categories within TV & Film Awards include News Program, News Report/Feature, Sports, Documentary, Entertainment Program, Entertainment Special, Promo, Streaming, Student, and Corporate Image.“With the JusticeAid Award, NYF shines a spotlight on the Social Justice categories across all genres and platforms encompassing Journalism and Entertainment categories alike. These stories show how individual actions can change the world and the ability of the human spirit to triumph over adversity,” said Rose Anderson, Executive VP & Executive Director of New York Festivals Radio and TV & Film Awards.“The nexus between civil activism and the arts has long been recognized. Social justice work can be heavy and exhausting, and art can arouse the spirit and encourage optimism and action. JusticeAid operates at the intersection of social justice and the arts to bring joy and uplift to this critical work, and believes that, as the writer Toni Cade Bambara said, “[t]he role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible,” said Kim Duckett Coaxum, CEO, JusticeAidThe first annual JusticeAid Award will be presented at the 2025 Storytellers Gala, a virtual event in the Spring 2025 celebrating global excellence in storytelling. In 2024, over 180 award-winning teams worldwide shared their acceptances, while industry leaders spotlighted their creative journeys in special segments. Additionally, the JusticeAid Award-winning submission will be honored at the JusticeAid Concert in May 2025 in New York City, showcasing the transformative power of music and the arts to raise awareness for civil rights and inspire positive change.The New York Festivals TV & Film and Radio Awards competitions receive entries from over 50 countries.  Members of the Grand Jury panels vote to determine the Shortlists and final standings for Tower Trophies. The 2025 Storytellers Gala will honor trophy winners of both competitions in the spring.The official deadline to enter the 2025 Radio Awards is January 31, 2025. For more information on the 2025 Radio Awards visit: HERE. […]

New Year is approaching and for those who celebrate Christmas it’s almost here.If you have a break and are spending time with your family, enjoy the last weeks of 2024 and celebrate the new year when it comes around.Radio is a 24/365 business, so if you are working, good luck and enjoy the pleasure of working in such an exciting industry.Whatever you’re doing, we wish you a joyous Christmas and a happy New Year!If stories break, we will still cover them, but we may be a little slower than usual to get them published because our team is taking a short break too. But please keep sending us news to [email protected]  and job ads to [email protected].This year we were busier than ever, publishing 303 reports about the radio, podcast and audio technology industries across Asia, and also including the Middle East and the Americas where relevant. Next year we plan to expand to cover even more audio technology stories, and more radio and podcast events. If you have any events or information, send it to [email protected].Our busiest months were March and August when we published the most stories.

Our most visited page is the front page, our news and jobs pages are also in the top ten most visited pages.Most read reports this year were about the Asia Podcast Awards and several technology features.These were our most read stories in 2024. Do you advertise with us? If not, maybe you should! Email [email protected]Happy Christmas and New Year from the radioinfo team:Mayank JainGbatemah SenahPeter SaxonSteve AhernSerena AhernWendy WhalleyJen SeyderhelmSarah Pattersonand our various contributors from all parts of the world  […]

Indian Government is committed to advancing digital radio technology and its integration into the media ecosystem in the country, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) Secretary Sanjay Jaju said last week.He was speaking at a conference organised by the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), in collaboration with the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI).The ministry plans to roll out digital FM radio broadcasting in 13 major cities across India, a move that is expected to enhance broadcast quality and support the radio industry’s growth.Jaju said India stood at the threshold of a new era brimming with possibilities and opportunities in broadcasting.“Light touch regulations will enable innovative content creation and deeper listener engagement, empowering India’s creators. Radio derives its strength from localised content choice embracing diverse community interests and cultural preferences,” he said.Earlier, in September, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a consultation paper to help formulate a policy for private digital radio broadcasters in the country, gathering inputs from stakeholders, including broadcasters, equipment manufacturers and digital receiver producers.In response to concerns from private operators regarding fees, the ministry has eliminated the non-refundable fee and the 2.5 percent annual license fee. To support broadcasters’ revenue sustainability, the government has also announced a 40 percent increase in the base rates for advertisements on private FM stations.He also revealed that 20 companies have shown interest in participating in upcoming FM radio spectrum auctions next month, which will cover 254 towns and semi-urban areas.

To facilitate the transition to digital, the ministry is considering four global digital radio technologies. Operators may benefit from upgrades in transmission infrastructure and “simulcast” capabilities, which would allow simultaneous analogue and digital broadcasting. This approach aims to help broadcasters maintain revenues while transitioning smoothly to digital formats. The government also aims to minimise reliance on proprietary technologies and encourage open standards to ensure a seamless digital transition.“Digital radio is the way forward. It allows for multiple channels on the existing spectrum, enabling operators to optimise revenues while providing consumers with maximum value from radio listening,” he said. […]