FM radios: soon just electronic waste? The digital transition begins!

FM radios: soon just electronic waste? The digital transition begins!

The slow swan song of FM radio has begun! Schleswig-Holstein will be the first federal state in Germany to take concrete steps to switch off the VHF system. From April 9, 2025, the FM chain of the rock station Radio Bob will no longer be receivable in this northernmost federal state. But that's just the beginning! On July 17, 2025, in the middle of the summer holiday season, Radio Sylt will follow, and on November 23, 2025, delta Radio in Schleswig-Holstein will also be switched off, like that Website inside-digital.de reported.

According to the media authority MAHSH, the decision to switch off is part of an overarching plan, which, however, must be coordinated across federal states. There is no central plan for the whole of Germany in Dortmund, which leads to different regulations. In Schleswig-Holstein it is argued that the dual broadcasting of analogue FM and digital DAB+ no longer makes sense, both ecologically and economically. Loud chip.de There are currently around 140 million FM radios in circulation in Germany, which could become obsolete after the shutdown. The switch to DAB+ and internet web radio will occur gradually, with NDR also planning to eliminate its frequencies by 2031.

The future of radio

Radio listeners who rely on FM will soon be forced to purchase new receivers as FM stations are switched off. DAB+ devices are already available for around 30 euros, but the switch will be a challenge for many as many car radios and older devices do not have DAB+. Despite the announced shutdowns, the discussion about FM continues to be controversial in the various federal states. While Bavaria wants to extend the frequencies until 2035, Saxony is signaling a temporary halt to plans to switch off.