The future of in-car radio, the growth of digital broadcasting and the potential for radio-based safety alerts will be among the topics discussed at the WorldDAB Summit 2026 in Vienna later this month.
The annual event will bring together broadcasters, automotive industry representatives, regulators and technology specialists to examine the development of DAB+ digital radio and its growing role in connected vehicles.
Global sales of DAB and DAB+ receivers have now exceeded 166 million units, according to figures presented at WorldDAB Automotive in June, underlining the increasing importance of digital broadcasting within the automotive sector.
One of the key issues facing the industry will be the European Union’s proposed Digital Networks Act and its implications for radio provision in vehicles.
A session entitled The Digital Networks Act: What’s at stake for radio will examine the legislation as it progresses through the European Parliament and Council, including the industry’s campaign for guaranteed integration of FM and DAB+ receivers in new vehicles.
The summit will also consider the potential of DAB+ Automatic Safety Alert (ASA), which enables emergency information to be broadcast directly to compatible receivers.
Germany has recently launched permanent ASA broadcasts, while a dedicated session will examine how trials of the technology can be developed into permanent services. Speakers will include representatives from Digitalradio Büro Deutschland, Radio France and Italy’s RAS Rundfunkanstalt Südtirol.
The technology has potential applications for delivering timely and reliable emergency information to motorists, including warnings about incidents and hazards affecting the road network.
The wider development of DAB+ will also be discussed, with WorldDAB reporting growing interest in the technology across around one-third of countries worldwide. Recent developments include new initiatives in Ireland, Spain, Kenya and Thailand, as well as Poland’s call for applications for national digital radio multiplexes.
Austria, the host country for this year’s summit, will provide a particular focus. Its digital radio market is continuing to develop, with commercial broadcasters introducing new services and public broadcaster ORF launching a DAB+ pilot of Hitradio Ö3.
The event will also examine the commercial opportunities presented by digital broadcasting, including how public and private radio brands are using DAB+ to reach new audiences.
WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst will join Corinna Drumm of the Association of Austrian Private Broadcasters and Wouter Quartier, Head of Radio at the European Broadcasting Union, for the opening keynote debate, Why Radio Wins. The discussion will explore radio’s continuing relevance in an increasingly digital and connected media environment.
Other sessions will consider how governments and regulators can support the development of digital radio, alongside the use of WorldDAB’s Public Policy Toolbox.
Popular radio and YouTube presenter Julia Nageler will return as summit moderator.
WorldDAB Summit 2026 will take place in person at the Meliá Vienna on DC Tower 1, which is also a key DAB+ transmission site for the Austrian capital.
Registration is open through the WorldDAB website, with recordings of the sessions to be made available shortly after the event.
Bernie O’Neill, Project Director at WorldDAB, said:
“Vienna is the perfect location for this year’s Summit: a dynamic DAB+ market with new and trial services on air and strong promotion for the platform. We have an exceptional line-up of experts and industry leaders, and we’re looking forward to the discussions and networking.”
(Picture: WorldDAB)
