CSA approves digital radio demonstration in Lyon, France
Lyon, 28 April 2011: It was announced today that the French regulator, Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA), has approved the 'RNT Lyon' project - a consumer focused digital radio demonstration. This nine month project will see digital radio services are on-air in Lyon, France from April to December 2011.
Fifteen commercial stations will be broadcast on two transmitters covering 75% of the population in the Lyon area. Stations included on the demonstration are; Africa N°1, Cap Sao, FG DJ Radio, France Maghreb 2, Impact FM, Latina FM, MFM radio, Nova, Ouï FM, Radio Orient, Radio Scoop, Radio Vinci Autoroute Sud, RCF, Sol FM, Sud Radio and TSF Jazz. The stations represent a wide diversity of programmes for a broad audience of radio listeners.
Antoine Baduel, CEO of the radio station FG DJ Radio, said "Being part of this project is very important for us to test the possibilities offered by the digital radio evolution. The extension of our brand FG DJ radio into new markets and new cities will also benefit us, increasing our offer by adding digital radio and enhancing our multi-platform strategy".
Yannick ANDRE-MASSE, General Manager of VDL, the network provider for this project, said "VDL supports the demonstration of digital radio to French consumers to promote the benefits and raise awareness of the technology. We support increasing the number of stations in different regions to ensure that French consumers are able to experience digital radio in the same way they can now enjoy digital TV services."
RNT Lyon starts officially with a press launch on 19 May 2011 in Lyon. A website for consumers will go live at the launch giving information on digital radio, where to buy receivers and which services are on-air. Promotion will be carried out at a number of public events and products can be found in stores including FNAC, DARTY, Boulanger, Auchan and Virgin. An on-air campaign will also be run by the broadcasters on digital and on FM.
Colin Crawford, PURE's Marketing Director says: "Approval of the 'RNT Lyon' project is an exciting development for digital radio in France and we hope this will lead to similar projects in other French cities and ultimately to country-wide roll-out. PURE already has a wide range of receivers available in France at all the leading French retailers, from high quality affordable models to multifunctional high-end devices, which provide internet radio in addition to terrestrial digital radio and FM."
The project aims to promote new stations, to show the number of digital radio receivers currently available and to give the French consumer a taste of digital radio. It is hoped this demonstration will be a model for other cities across France.
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