Representatives of leading European broadcasters have agreed to sign a European Broadcasting Union (EBU) initiative to improve access to radio by taking a hybrid digital approach, marketed as Euro-Chip.

The initiative promotes the installation of reception devices in all radio sets and mobile devices that enable audiences to receive broadcast services everywhere at no incremental cost. Consumers would not need to pay for broadband reception of free-to-air radio services.

Head of Radio Christian Vogg told the annual International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by eight leading European Public Service broadcasters. Commercial broadcasters in Belgium, Germany and Austria have undertaken to add their signatures.

"The Euro-Chip initiative is about giving radio a future in the digital economy and will facilitate the transition to digital radio," said Mr Vogg.  "With today’s media convergence, audiences, and youth in particular, expect to listen to radio on their mobile telephones and tablets. While radio-only receivers are increasingly being replaced by more sophisticated devices, radio as a media continues to meet a strong consumer demand and will remain hugely popular as long as it is available on the devices used by audiences today and in the future." 

Mr Vogg said by bringing together groups seeking to promote hybrid digital radio services for domestic radio sets, automotive receivers, tablets and smartphones (via open hybrid broadcast-Internet protocol standards, known as the Smartphone initiative), this Memorandum represents an important milestone in realising the Euro-Chip initiative.