Canada's private broadcasters join the coalition
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) announced on Tuesday 27 October 2026 that it has joined Radio Ready. This international coalition aims to ensure that radio remains visible, accessible and easy to find on the dashboards of connected cars. The CAB represents the country's private broadcasters.
Founded in 2025 by Bauer Media Group and Swedish public radio, together with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Radio Ready now has more than 40 members worldwide, representing over 10,000 radio stations in total. The CAB's arrival follows that of the US National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in July, strengthening the coalition's weight in North America.
Why dashboards worry radio stations
Carmakers are installing increasingly digital and complex infotainment systems. For broadcasters, the risk is simple: if reaching a station means going through several menus, or if radio is pushed behind other apps, listening suffers. Radio Ready therefore intends to speak with one voice in discussions with carmakers, technology platforms and policymakers.
In Canada, the stakes go beyond business. Radio is part of the national public alerting system and delivers information during wildfires, severe weather and other emergencies. Kevin Desjardins, President and CEO of the CAB, stresses this public service role: in his view, the more complex dashboards become, the more essential it is to preserve straightforward access to radio. He also points out that Canadians rely on free, local radio for trusted information when they need it most.
On Bauer Media's side, Tobias Nielsen, CEO of Bauer Media Audio Denmark and the group's VP of strategic partnerships, sees this international support as a strong signal for a future in which radio remains accessible and prominent in cars.
What it means for internet radio stations
Radio Ready first and foremost defends broadcast radio, but the battle for visibility in the car matters just as much to internet radio stations. In a connected car, the interface and its display choices decide what the driver sees first. A station that cannot be found on screen loses listeners, whether it is broadcast on FM, on DAB+ or only online.
- Follow the prominence debate: radio's place in car interfaces is being negotiated with manufacturers today, and those decisions also shape the environment in which online streams are offered.
- Multiply entry points: listings in aggregators, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, presence on voice assistants.
- Bet on local and useful content: the public service argument made in Canada is a reminder that local information remains a differentiating asset.
- Look after visual identity and metadata: a clear name and a readable logo make it easier to pick a station on a touchscreen.
The movement is spreading from one continent to another: for internet radio broadcasters, now is the right time to check that their station can be launched in a single tap from any dashboard.
Source : Cartt.ca