Public and private broadcasters joined forces at WorldDAB Automotive 2025 in Madrid to deliver a unified message to the automotive sector: broadcast radio must remain prominent in the evolving in-car environment with a warning that radio as a medium could “disappear” if this does not happen.

The unique event brought together almost 200 senior executives from across the global automotive and broadcast industries to explore the future of radio in the digital dashboard.

Public and private broadcasters joined forces today at WorldDAB Automotive 2025 in Madrid to deliver a unified message to the automotive sector: broadcast radio must remain prominent in the evolving in-car environment.

The unique event brought together almost 200 senior executives from across the global automotive and broadcast industries to explore the future of radio in the digital dashboard.

Spain’s Secretary General for Telecommunications, Matías González Martín, welcomed delegates to Madrid, saying “we are fully aware of the value of DAB+ digital radio – we support it, and events like this.” He said a round of contact with stakeholders was underway, with a decision due in the coming weeks on regulatory measures to promote movement to DAB+.

Javier Sánchez Perez, Director of the Audiovisual Policy and Public Service Department, RTVE, said “Spain needs DAB+. He called for sustainable investment to guarantee resilient and accessible radio services for all citizens, with high coverage, new radio services and Automatic Safety Alerts (ASA), ensuring long-term access to DAB+ through 2040 and beyond. He warned: “If prominence of broadcast linear radio in vehicles is not ensured, radio will disappear from vehicles. If radio disappears from vehicles, it is very likely that radio will disappear.”

Edita Kudláčová, Head of Radio, European Broadcasting Union, said: “Radio has always been there for us in our cars, a much loved and greatly trusted companion. I can’t imagine what could fill the gap if it were ever to disappear from the dashboard. We must continue to innovate – together! – to ensure that radio distribution is fit for our increasingly connected world.”

Tobias Nielsen, Senior Vice President Digital, Bauer Media Group, stated: “It is essential for Bauer Media to ensure that radio remains accessible, prominent, and easily discoverable in cars in the future.”

Stefan Möller, President, Association of European Radios, added “We need to work together as an industry and collaborate with the car industry to maintain radio in the car; this is also important from a safety point of view.”

Jacqueline Bierhorst, President of WorldDAB, who moderated the session said: “It’s clear that a hybrid approach, combining DAB+, FM, and IP, is essential to ensuring radio retains control over its own distribution. This is key to levelling the playing field with digital tech giants in the dashboard. I’m proud that public and private broadcasters are united in this clear message and have come together today to engage openly with our partners in the automotive sector.”

Later in the day, Tobias Nielsen and the EBU’s Tomas Granryd announced the launch of “Radio Ready for Connected Cars,” a global collaboration between commercial and public service broadcasters, focused on audience needs. “Listeners will continue to demand free, frictionless, prominent radio in the connected car, and both broadcasters and car makers should be ready to support it,” they urged. 

Spain’s Secretary General for Telecommunications, Matías González Martín, welcomed delegates to Madrid, saying “We are fully aware of the value of DAB+ digital radio – we support it, and events like this.” He said a round of contact with stakeholders was underway, with a decision due in the coming weeks on regulatory measures to promote movement to DAB+.

Tobias Nielsen and the EBU’s Tomas Granryd announced the launch of “Radio Ready for Connected Cars,” a global collaboration between commercial and public service broadcasters, focused on audience needs. “Listeners will continue to demand free, frictionless, prominent radio in the connected car, and both broadcasters and car makers should be ready to support it,” they urged.

(Picture – Yay Images)