The end of an era: Norway first country in the world to turn off FM signal

[Night Hunter]

Under the watchful eyes of other nations, Norway will become, since January 11, 2017, the first country in the world to turn off your signal Frequency Modulation (FM).

The government said today in Norway day has 22 national digital radio stations, and there is still space in your digital platform for other 20.

However, only five national FM channels broadcasting in this country of five million inhabitants.

NRK, public service broadcasting in Norway, off the FM signal before their commercial competitors.

The process will not be sudden: the signal will fade region by region, starting in January 2017.

Saving

The Ministry of Culture of Norway considers that the digitization of their national radio emissions will result in annual savings of about $ 25 million.

"The cost of transmitting national radio channels via the FM network is eight times the net for Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB for its acronym in English)," the ministry said in a statement.

In part this is because the DAB broadcasters consume less energy.

According to the Minister of Culture of Norway, Thorhild Widvey, there are other advantages scanning.

"Listeners will have access to a content of more diverse and pluralistic radio, and enjoy a higher quality of audio and new features," he said recently.

According to the minister scanning system will also improve emergency preparedness, since radio is less vulnerable to extreme conditions.

 

The success blackout FM in Norway will impact the radio industry worldwide, according to experts.

 

 

industry, nervous

 

 

The blackout of FM in Norway will be a "moment of nervousness" for global radio industry, according to an expert.

 

Several other countries in Europe and South Asia are also considering a switch to digital broadcasting.

As you said British analyst James Cridland, when FM blackout in Norway will be a "moment of nervousness" for global radio industry.

"I hope that the Norwegians are done enough to retain radio audiences and to ensure that those who have not yet made the digital switch go and do it."

"Whereas with television is important that you go and you buy a new appliance, Radio listeners may decide instead listen to your CD collection or Spotify".

"If the change harms radio audiences can it be that in other countries and here in the UK, we are less willing to turn renal FM and AM" he said.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Sweden, the national audit Margareta Aberg advised the Ministry of Culture to retain its network of FM, reports the website Digital Radio Insider.

It is expected that the Swedish government will soon take a decision.