DRM Newsletter March 2026

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Partners,

The DRM Consortium members continue to support all its activities and prepare for new events. One will be the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium where two DRM representatives will make full presentations on country coverage with DRM and the benefits this can bring.

The World Radio Day in February, and the successful DRM Consortium participation continued to attract interest, especially due to the global and multi-language broadcasts on the five continents achieved on the day. We will just mention some of the feedback we received from faithful and interested supporters.

Some press articles and interviews will complete the digital radio picture and the central place occupied in it by DRM.

Preparations are also continuing for the DRM General Assembly, on May 5-6 in Jakarta, Indonesia. You are warmly invited to participate in the one, VIP Day, on May 5^thor if you are a member on both May 5th and 6th.

In 2026 we keep open the invitation to join us as a free member. If interested, please make sure to get all the information.

Latest News

DRM in Conversation at Indian Private Station

In a double-headed (DRM-HD) interview recorded in the summer of 2025 and released now by the private radio station Red FM in India, the DRM Consortium chairman makes the strong case for DRM in India.

This aligns with the industry’s readiness for DRM, as demonstrated at BES Expo 2026. Further reinforcing this momentum, a recent article by Radio TV Link highlights the growing consensus among Indian broadcasters and manufacturers on DRM as the most viable path for digital FM transition, complementing the insights shared in the Red FM interview.

📄 India’s Industry Proves It’s Ready for DRM Digital Radio as the Best Solution for Digital FM at BES Expo 2026 – Radio TV Link

👍 Read and like the post on LinkedIn.

DRM Offers Alone Full Country Coverage

In an article recently published by Red Tech the DRM chairman makes the observation that in their understandably cautious digitisation process, some countries have embraced a single digital standard, such as DRM in India. For full country coverage and additional benefits, DRM has been adopted or is under serious consideration as the sole standard by countries such as China, Pakistan, Nepal and other countries in Asia and Africa.

📄 Digital radio — Dual standards not double standards – RedTech

👍 Read and like the post on LinkedIn

DRM Receiver in Over 13 million Indian Cars

Over 13.2 Crore DRM-enabled cars are on Indian roads today, and it is expected that this number will grow in 2026.

The radio receiver industry both in India and abroad has invested millions of dollars in the development of DRM digital radio capable receivers for use in Indian cars.

And here is more of a background:
📄 The DRM Success Story of Indian Automotive Industry 13.2 million Cars on the Indian Roads.

DRM Multi Standard Receivers Are Here

Elements Innovation in cooperation with RF2Digital, both DRM members, have just unveiled one standalone multi-standard receivers. Under the name ES006 FM/AM/CDR/DRM the desktop receiver offers reception for DRM in the AM bands and also in FM and CDR 87.50-108 MHz and DRM-FM 87.10-201.85 MHz. Its battery is rechargeable and the antenna is placed at the back of this solid, elegant receiver. This receiver includes the CDR standard and is aimed at the Chinese market.

The other receiver shown by Elements Innovation is the dual EJM326FM/AM/DAB/DRM after-market car receiver with remote control and antenna at the back. Currently EI is supporting major automotive brands like Volkswagen and Renault, delivering digital radio systems that enhance in-car entertainment and connectivity.

📄 Read more details on news.drm.org

DRM Broadcasts on World Radio Day – Feedback from Around the World

The DRM Consortium participated in the UNESCO World Radio Day 2026 by showcasing AI-enabled e-learning via digital radio. The DRM Consortium demonstrated in unique ways the capabilities of the DRM standard, the only all-frequencies, open digital radio standard.

Live Transmissions Across Five Continents

On February 13th DRM partners transmitted DRM broadcasts on shortwave for the first time on one single day across five continents demonstrating DRM’s global credentials and reach. Please check the complete World Radio Day DRM broadcast schedule. Education content was also broadcast for the first time in DRM FM by South African partners.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all participants, whether they joined our live training sessions, followed by our global demonstration transmissions, or both! Their very detailed feedback, recordings, and reception reports are encouraging and a great proof of the DRM advanced technology and its benefits for both broadcasters and their listeners.

Some of the enthusiasts who have signed and sent us their reception reports are: Hallvard Gjerde, Rafael Rodríguez R., Rob den Boer, Patrick Robic, Ding Lu, Raphaël Voydis, Tanino Marabello, Rafael Orlando Rodríguez, Francisco Braccini, Jose Jacob, Fabrizio Savini, Eduardo F. Araujo, Isao Yamanaka.

A selection of the videos and audio recordings are available on YouTube:

We thank you again and invite you to become members of the DRM Consortium and participate in the open day of our General Assembly in Jakarta on 5th May 2026.

For further information and to explore 3 demo applications, please visit: e-learning.drm.org.

DRM Voice from Pakistan

Can DRM Bring Radio Back to Life? Is the question asked by Roman Afroz, radio specialist in Pakistan. Using one of the social platforms he argues that “radio is not dying, it is waiting for its digital transformation.” Here are his further thoughts:
Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) offers a powerful path forward by turning traditional AM/FM broadcasting into a modern digital platform. With DRM, broadcasters can deliver near-FM audio quality, multiple channels on a single frequency, and data services such as emergency warnings, text, and images.
Even more important, DRM allows countries to upgrade existing AM/FM infrastructure instead of replacing it, dramatically lowering the cost of digital transition while expanding nationwide coverage.
For developing economies, DRM could become a strategic communication backbone, supporting disaster alerts, education, public service broadcasting, and rural connectivity.
The technology is ready.
The infrastructure already exists in many countries.
The real question is: who will move first to unlock radio’s digital future?

👍 Read and like the post on LinkedIn.

DRM Presents at DBS 2026

The Digital Broadcasting Symposium (ABU DBS) organised yearly by Asia Broadcasting Union (ABU) will explore (March 30-April 2) how the broadcasting and media world are tackling the transformative rise of synthetic intelligence and creative technologies.

The symposium is held each year in Kuala Lumpur. It consists of a conference, an exhibition, masterclasses, and workshops, and attracts close to 1,500 participants annually, representing over 350 organisations across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

This year the DRM Consortium will be represented by Mr Alexander Zink, DRM Consortium Vice-Chair and Senior Business Development Manager, Fraunhofer IIS, and Mr Sharad Sadhu, Technology Consultant and Honorary Member DRM Consortium.

📄 Read the announcement on news.drm.org.

DRM General Assembly in Indonesia in May

Preparations are underway for the 2026 DRM General Assembly, to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 5-6. The DRM General Assembly will be held in partnership with our key member Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI), a first for RRI and the DRM not-for-profit Consortium as well.

📄 DRM releases details for May general assembly – RedTech

📌 Continuously updated information and further resources on the DRM General Assembly 2026 are available at www.drm.org/ga-2026.

DRM Welcomes New Members

The DRM Consortium continues to grow and is pleased to welcome two new members:

STMicroelectronics, a globally leading semiconductor company and
RedwoodComm, a professional developing company for wireless communication test solutions.

If you wish to join, please write to: projectoffice@drm.org.

The Next Issue of the DRM African Newsletter

The next quarterly edition of the DRM African Newsletter will be published shortly. It will highlight recent developments in DRM projects across Africa, focusing on advancements in e-learning, broadcasting infrastructure, and local partnerships.