WorldDAB: a new president. Jacqueline Bierhorst has been elected President of WorldDAB, the global forum for the DAB+ digital radio industry. Bierhorst was previously vice-president and represents Digital Radio Netherlands.
She succeeds Patrick Hannon, who is stepping down after ten years as Chairman. The ceremony took place at the annual WorldDAB Summit, held this year in Munich, Germany.
Bierhorst paid tribute to Hannon's work as president:
His leadership, enthusiasm and vision have helped shape WorldDAB's journey over the past ten years. We have witnessed exponential growth in DAB+ worldwide.
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It's a privilege to be part of a mission that not only has the potential to revolutionize the way the world listens to radio, but is already making a huge impact by helping radio thrive and ensuring that everyone can enjoy digital radio for free, on the move, at home or at work.
Also at the conference, Arcom's Hervé Godechot highlighted the rapid growth of ATMs:
In France, a total of 556 stations - from large networks to smaller ones, including the public service Radio France - have been authorized to broadcast on DAB+, and 110 multiplexes are currently on air. Since the summer, more than half of French listeners are in areas where they have access to DAB+. Godechot added that 300 new transmitters will increase population coverage to 62.2% by next March, while the DAB+ experiment in the French overseas territory of Martinique has been extended until next summer.
Mr. Godechot also said that the next "white paper" on radio would examine the economics and technologies involved, as well as the evolution of usage and routes to success.