Three major commercial radio broadcasters or associations –  SkyRadio in the Netherlands, RTL in Belgium and APR in Germany – have now joined the Euro-Chip initiative, confirming their support for the hybrid future of radio. The core of the Euro-Chip message – the integration of FM and DAB/DAB+ broadcast chips in every radio device – is now shared by a total of 16 leading broadcasters throughout Europe, sending a clear message to both industry and listeners.

In Germany, APR (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Privater Rundfunk / Association of Private Radio Broadcasters) represents 290 local and regional radio and TV stations, i.e. a substantial portion of the commercial radio market. Similarly, in the Netherlands, the SkyGroup with its several radio stations covers a distinctive market share, measuring up to the public broadcaster NPO in pursuing digital radio. In French-speaking Belgium, now with RTL Belgium on board, the public broadcaster RTBF and RTL account for a 65 % audience share.

Asked why APR had now joined the Euro-Chip Initiative, the managing director Stephan Ory made clear that it is the increasing variety of distribution platforms on which radio reaches listeners today: still strong via terrestrial broadcasting (FM and DAB) but growing via the Internet and streaming on mobile networks. "The objective is to allow hardware manufacturers to market terminals throughout Europe that meet this requirement", says Ory. Indeed, the chips, which can handle analogue and digital terrestrial as well as Internet radio, are already available. "APR sees here an opportunity for radio broadcasters to offer additional digital services for their programming. Digital radio makes possible such new kinds of services as expanded traffic information."

The EBU Head of Radio Christian Vogg adds, "The significant joining of commercial radio operators to the Euro-Chip Initiative strengthens the arguments to convince car industries and mobile network operators: there is no alternative to hybrid broadcasting." One of the next steps is to have broadcast chips implemented in smartphones.