Norway is killing off FM radio in 2017
It was the British band the Buggles that famously predicted that video would kill the radio star, but in Norway, the coup de grâce was delivered by digital audio broadcasting (DAB). While technically still radio, DAB (and its newer cousin, DAB+) requires different receivers — and as of Jan. 11, 2017, it's all Norwegian radio listeners will have access to. On that date, the government announced last week, the country's five FM stations will be shut off.
Norway will be the first nation to scrap analog radio completely, though Europe has been trending that direction for more than a decade. "Listeners will have access to more diverse and pluralistic radio content, and enjoy better sound quality and new functionality," said Culture Minister Thorhild Widvey in a statement. "Digitization will also greatly improve the emergency preparedness system, facilitate increased competition, and offer new opportunities for innovation and development."
The country will initially have at least 22 digital stations, versus its five national FM stations, and broadcasting in digital is apparently cheaper. But it won't be a painless switch for Norway: 44 percent of Norwegian radio users currently only listen to FM, and only 20 percent of private cars are quipped with a DAB receiver, according to Radio.no. And nationwide, nearly 8 million radios will become obsolete on that fateful day in January 2017.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Baltimore bridge disaster: Who is going to pay and how?
Today's Big Question Politicians, legal experts, and the insurance industry are all grappling with the financial fallout of America's worst infrastructure tragedy in years
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Melting polar ice is messing with global timekeeping
Speed Read Ice loss caused by climate change is slowing the Earth's rotation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Stick guitar
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Immigration helped the US economy outpace peers
speed read The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.2% last quarter
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
4-day workweek gets boost from UK study
Speed Read Following a six-month trial, the majority of participating British companies are still using the truncated schedule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sues to block Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The Federal Trade Commission sued to block the $24.6 billion merger between the grocery giants
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published