On October 8, 2026, the Media Council (Medienrat) of the Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien (BLM), the authority overseeing private broadcasters in Bavaria, decided to extend its DAB+ support scheme. Against a backdrop of economic pressure and growing competition from platforms, the council also reviewed the innovation grants reserved for DAB+-only programs, as well as the calls for applications already open for 2027.
Support calculated on the cost of FM
The core of the decision concerns the Transformations-Anreiz-Förderung (TAF), an incentive grant designed to support the digital transition of Bavaria's private radio stations. Its principle is unusual: the amount paid depends on the ratio between FM and DAB+ distribution costs.
- Simulcast programs (FM and DAB+): depending on how heavy their FM network costs are, they can receive up to 50% support for their DAB+ distribution. Stations in rural areas, where FM networks are more expensive, benefit the most.
- DAB+-only programs: they are reimbursed 60% or 90% of their distribution costs, to offset the greater difficulty of financing their operations.
The TAF funds come from the Free State of Bavaria.
Five stations backed for creative audio projects
In the second 2026 round of the innovation grant for DAB-only programs, five stations were selected for creative audio projects: Radio Augsburg, 089Kult, Radio Gong 96.3 Ingolstadt, Radio Schwaben and Radio 2Day.
For 2027, several calls are running in parallel. The program grant, whose priority theme is "Echte Begegnungen – starke Regionen" (real encounters, strong regions), accepts applications until November 2. The calls for the innovation grant and the DAB-only grant 2027 are also open.
A regulator embracing a supporting role
BLM President Thorsten Schmiege describes private radio as facing a gigantic transformation process. In his view, the aim is not to leave Bavarian stations alone with this challenge, whether in terms of program quality, innovation or future-oriented distribution. The grants are meant to help stations manage the digital transition, develop new offerings and, above all, preserve local radio with content that matters to people in their area.
What this means for internet radio stations
The scheme is limited to Bavarian stations, but it illustrates a trend worth knowing about. For this regulator, a program broadcast only in digital is not a second-tier service: it can receive substantial reimbursement of its distribution costs as well as innovation grants. The TAF mechanism is also a reminder that distribution costs remain a major hurdle for small operators, and that public authorities can choose to offset them.
For an internet radio publisher considering joining a DAB+ multiplex, several lessons emerge:
- Look into existing local or regional support before budgeting for digital terrestrial broadcasting.
- Focus on proximity: these grants reward programming that serves a community and real encounters with listeners.
- Think complementarity: DAB+ adds to online listening without replacing it, and the two channels can strengthen each other.
Source: RADIOSZENE