More digital radio stations in the South

Digital radio stations continue to flourish in the Southern part of Belgium. Not on the crowded FM frequencies, but on digital.

Contact has launched not less than 8 webradios, with different genres: lounge music, oldies, love songs, etc are meant to appeal to a variety of target populations. They are available via the Web and throught the Radio Contact Application:

From Nostalgie (South), a new DAB+ radio stations has been launched: Nostalgie+ aims at people aged 60 and over. In total Nostalgie displays 24 different proposals ! Digitization of radio definitely leads to more segmentation.

C8 said to be about to start in Belgium

The French thematic channel C8 is reported by some press sources to consider a direct broadcast in Belgium. Its most famous programme, "Touche Pas à Mon Poste" (TPMP), by Cyril Hanouna, is already visible in our country via Plug RTL. But the RTL channel currently owns exclusive broadcasting rights in Belgium. As these rights may no longer be applicable next year, C8 reportedly plans to be available next year via cable providers packages. It is not clear yet if this move -if any- will also involve specific advertising targeted to Belgium (the TF1 case). On Plug RTL, TPMP has an average rating of 20k people (adults 15+ South) and an audience share of 2.2% (3.4% on adults 15-34), according to CIM TV in 2019 (42 weeks).

Willy, a new rock radio

Starting 11th October, DPG Media will start a new digital radio stations: Willy. Named after the rock guitar player Willy Willy of the Scabs, this station will be focused on rock music with a target group consisting of people 35+. As the baseline claims "Music matters", but it will be introduced by well known presenter voices. It will be available via DAB+, the website willy.radio, the Radioplayer-platform and also via smart speakers.

BX1, Viva+, Jam: new French speaking radio stations

As a result of the DAB(+) inception in the South of Belgium, new radio initiatives flourish in the French-speaking community. This is made possible due to the digital technology (the old analogue FM frequencies drastically limit the number of radio stations

BX1, the local TV channel in Brussels, has launched BX1+, a webradio station, with a mix of music (90% coming from the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles) and news. Access via BX1.be and BX1plus.be. and alos via Android and iOS Apps.

In the meantime, RTBF is to launch two new DAB+ radio stations

• Jam will exclusively broadcast a wide range of "eclectic" music styles, It is aimed at young adults.

• In the meantime, Viva+ will be focused on hit oldies from the 50ies, 60ies and 70 ies, with live animations ao telling the stories around the songs. The target audience is obviously older here and the station is designed to complement Vivacité, the largest and most popular station from RTBF.

Radio South: DH Radio out, LN24 in

The CSA, media regulatory body of the French-speaking community, has published the results of its radio call for tenders. The aim was to renew the radio licenses of the different stations: dozens of projects have been examined. When it comes to the FM frequencies, the large networks Bel RTL, Contact, Nostalgie and NRJ will go on. Fun Radio and the future radio part of LN24 get the remaining "urban radios" licenses. DH Radio is therefore meant to be withdrawn from the FM band unless the legal actions undertaken by its publisher IPM succeed in reforming the CSA decision. Anyway DH Radio is likely to remain until LN24 is technically ready for broadcasting. Worth noting that the DAB(+) frequencies get more stations as the technical capabilities are (far) broader than the on the analogue FM world. The Mint project run by RTL does not get any license and is withdrawn by the group.