The DRM Southern Africa (DRM SA) Group will officially launch a DRM in FM demonstration and showcase on Friday, 13 February 2026, coinciding with UNESCO World Radio Day. The demonstration marks an important step in South Africa’s journey toward digital sound broadcasting and forms part of DRM’s global partnership with UNESCO in support of World Radio Day.
The DRM in FM demonstration will broadcast a live digital radio signal from a high-site in Northcliff, Johannesburg, operating at 70 watts transmitter output power on 91.25 MHz. Multiple radio services will be carried simultaneously on a single FM frequency, including Radio Pulpit, HOT1027, amongst others.
The demonstration is conducted under a test licence issued by ICASA, South Africa’s communications regulator, and is intended to showcase the technical, commercial, and public-interest benefits of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) operating in the FM band.
World Radio Day and UNESCO Partnership
The launch takes place on World Radio Day, celebrated annually by UNESCO to recognise radio as a powerful medium for education, information, and social connection. DRM is an official partner of UNESCO World Radio Day, and the South African demonstration actively contributes to this global initiative.
As part of the World Radio Day programme, the DRM in FM platform will also be used to showcase education-focused and informational digital radio content, demonstrating how DRM can support learning, accessibility, and public communication through data services such as Journaline. This is a world first for DRM.
Objectives of the DRM in FM Demonstration
The demonstration aims to:
- Create awareness of DRM among broadcasters, regulators, industry stakeholders, and the public
- Demonstrate key DRM features and benefits, including:
- Distance learning and information services via Journaline
- Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF) for public safety communications
- Multi-channel broadcasting using a single FM transmitter
- Energy efficiency compared to analogue FM transmission.
3. Test business and operational processes for a digital radio broadcast service, including potential new revenue models and cost efficiencies
- Stimulate the local DRM receiver ecosystem, including automotive, mobile, and standalone receivers
- Engage the automotive industry, including stakeholders such as naamsa, to support future digital sound broadcasting (DSB) adoption
The demonstration also highlights that DRM is currently the only digital radio standard capable of serving all coverage needs — from national and regional coverage to local and community broadcasting — making it particularly well suited to a country with South Africa’s geographic and demographic diversity.
Technology and Supporting Partners
The DRM in FM transmission uses professional DRM broadcast equipment previously deployed in South Africa during earlier technical evaluations. The transmitter installation and antenna system have been implemented by BluLemon, a member of the DRM SA Group.
The demonstration is supported by a broad ecosystem of DRM technology partners, including:
- Fraunhofer IIS, providing DRM ContentServer and MultimediaPlayer technologies
- RFmondial
- Starwaves
- DRM Consortium and Programme Office, providing coordination, technical guidance, and international support
This collaborative approach brings together broadcasters, signal distributors, technology providers, receiver manufacturers, automotive stakeholders, and policy bodies to demonstrate DRM in a real-world South African FM environment.
Looking Ahead
Insights gained from the DRM in FM demonstration will contribute to future digital radio planning in South Africa, support broadcasters evaluating DRM adoption, and inform the development of practical implementation guidance for both South Africa and the wider African region.