Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium members and specialists unveiled significant DRM updates during impactful events and networking at IBC 2025, taking place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 12th t0 15th September.
Each aspect of the DRM global project saw new product announcements, which serve to stress the rich benefits of DRM – the only global digital radio standard serving all coverage scenarios.
During the DRM events at the IBC booths of Starwaves, Fraunhofer and Nautel (12-14 September) one of the biggest news that caught everyone’s attention was the adoption of DRM as a National Standard in China for the MF and HF bands (medium wave and short wave bands) published in July 2025, and the ongoing work on a national mandatory standard for “In-Vehicle Wireless Reception System” including DRM.
At the three IBC events DRM speakers noted that in the last year several DRM members have enhanced the whole transmission-to-listener chain. Two developments stood out: the extension of DRM transmission and reception to VHF band III and the launch of full-featured dual-standard receiver solutions supporting both DRM and DAB+ for car and standalone receivers as well as through an Android app on mobile phones.
World’s First Multichannel DRM Transmitter in VHF Band III
In Hall 8 at RAI, visitors to the RFmondial and PLISCH were impressed with a DRM-DAB band III transmitter allowing for 15 DRM blocks to be transmitted from a single transmitter. This represents up to 15 independent broadcasters with a total of up to 45 audio services along with 15 dedicated DRM multimedia services such as Journaline within a 1,5 MHz VHF band-III channel. This can meet the needs of some countries like Indonesia interested in having a cost-efficient and energy saving option for digital radio in major metropolitan areas.
RFmondial displays World’s first multi-channel DRM transmitter in VHF Band III.
Digital Radio Head-end Technology “Fraunhofer DRM and DAB+ ContentServer” – Latest Version R8 now available
Fraunhofer IIS has presented the latest major upgrade R8 to its professional ContentServer head-end technology for DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) and Digital Radio DAB+.
The new DRM/DAB ContentServer R8 enables broadcasters to put audio content and attractive multimedia services such as Journaline, SlideShow, Service Logos and more on air with ease, while benefitting from the latest standard upgrades and a range of new productivity features.
Here are more details: www.audioblog.iis.fraunhofer.com/contentserver-r8.
Monitoring Solution from Encompass and Bridge Tech Announced
Encompass Digital Media, active as a managed services company supporting broadcasters (television and radio), cable networks, sports leagues and OTT platforms, has just announced the launch, in partnership with Bridge Technologies, of a new Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) monitoring solution.
A New DRM Monitoring Solution from Encompass and Bridge Tech Announced for IBC 2025
CML Micro Expands DRM1000
One module (from CML Micro) already used in the small, energy efficient N88 receiver has got better as CML and Fraunhofer IIS announced the expansion of the DRM1000 broadcast receiver module with integrated Journaline availability and announced that the first customer started mass production in India.
Multi-Standard Digital Radio Solution from RF2Digital and Fraunhofer IIS
RF2Digital and Fraunhofer IIS announced at IBC 2025 a full-featured
Automotive Digital Radio Receiver Solution with automotive-grade user interface based on Fraunhofer MultimediaPlayer Radio App technology, as well as a Multi-Standard Digital Radio USB Receiver.
DRM Receiver Kit Software SDR for Automotive, Mobile Phones & Consumer Radios
The DRM Receiver Kit Software SDR for Automotive, Mobile Phones & Consumar Radios (AM and VHF bands) with a new DRM Baseband Library Versions was also included in the Fraunhofer presentation.
Mobile Phone Apps for Digital Radio
Starwaves launched its new DRM & DAB+ SoftRadio App for Android. The new dual-standard app is available for purchase on the Google Play Store alongside the original DRM-only app.
As a world’s first Android app it supports all core DRM and DAB features: Convenient service management with metadata descriptions to DRM EWF, the new DAB EWFplus emergency functionality including the ASA alarm signaling standard, and multimedia applications such as TextMessages/DL+, Journaline and SlideShow.
STARWAVES Launches Full-Featured Dual-Standard Android SoftRadio App for DRM & DAB+
Video on DRM
Starwaves presented a technology preview how efficient low-bitrate codecs VVC incombination with xHE-AAC make DRM viable for real-time video services in FM and AM bands (“DRM Diveemo”). One example delivered a 100-kbps educational video in the FM band.
NewGlee Monitoring Receiver
NewGlee at its DRM booth presented their compact DRM monitoring receiver supporting the AM and FM bands.
New Quarterly African Newsletter
At IBC 2025 the DRM Consortium announced the launch of a quarterly African newsletter.
DRM General Assembly 2026 in Indonesia
This will be organised together with RRI Indonesia in March 2026: DRM and RRI Announce next DRM General Assembly to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Free DRM Associate Membership Extended for Another Year
The DRM Consortium announced based on a recent Steering Board decision, that the highly successful offer for interested companies and organizations to join the DRM Consortium through an introductory Associate Membership will be extended. After the initial year without membership fee, the new member can then decide to continue as a Assiate Member, or as a Full Member with all benefits and privileges.
Conclution
“We enjoyed a ground-breaking series of IBC events and announcements”, says DRM Chairman Ruxandra Obreja, “where we pushed the barriers of inventivity and possibility for the global DRM Digital Radio Standard. Many of our members are finding unique solutions to current issues to do with spectrum and energy saving, full-country coverage, as well as key services like Emergency Warning Functionality and distance learning delivery. Seeing the very encouraging new developments in China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, all over Africa, and soon in Bangladesh, DRM is in a better position than ever to fulfil its aim of going from top technological possibility to reality and enhanced services enriching listeners’ lives.”
DRM Consortium members representated at IBC 2025 include: All India Radio, Ampegon, BBC, Encompass, CML Micro, DAC System, Fraunhofer IIS , Kintronic, RFmondial, Nautel, NewGlee, Starwaves, and more.
To get the latest news on the DRM please check: news.drm.org.
To join the DRM Consortium in person or get your questions answered, please contact: projectoffice@drm.org.
