Germany may ditch FM radio for DAB+ by 2032

Germany's FM radio faces phase-out as digital push accelerates by 2032

Broadcasting Commission Calls for Faster Phase-Out of Analog FM Radio

The Commission for Determining the Financial Needs of Broadcasters (KEF) is once again pushing for a quicker end to analog FM broadcasting. In an interview with Mitteldeutsche Zeitung (MZ), KEF member Kay Barthel argued that the dual distribution system—running FM alongside DAB+ for nearly 15 years—is no longer financially justifiable. Public broadcasters under the ARD umbrella and Deutschlandradio could save around €100 million over four years if they switched exclusively to digital transmission via DAB+.

FM: "Obsolete Technology"

Barthel dismissed FM as "obsolete technology," while the KEF warned of a growing backlog in infrastructure investments. With the expectation of a shutdown, existing FM systems have been "run into the ground," he said. Without a politically binding phase-out date, FM transmitters would require another round of comprehensive upgrades starting in 2029, costing roughly €60 million—all for a technology that would still be widely used despite being outdated, unless further market intervention occurs.

Private Broadcasters Prefer Market-Driven Transition

Since policymakers—largely at the behest of major commercial radio operators—have left the transition to market forces, only about 40% of Germans currently have access to DAB+, the digital terrestrial radio standard. Most of these users are new car owners, as DAB+ receivers have been mandatory in vehicles since late 2020. FM remains the dominant way people listen to the radio, a fact that benefits large private broadcasters with prime FM frequencies. The scarcity of available frequencies shields them from competition, as most listeners see no reason to switch.

Because major commercial stations continue to rely on FM, privately funded DAB+ networks are expanding at a snail's pace, leaving significant coverage gaps—particularly in rural areas. This has frustrated digital listeners, many of whom claim that DAB+ "simply doesn't work."

Digital-Only Stations Struggle to Survive

Conversely, broadcasters that transmit exclusively via digital platforms face an uphill battle to turn a profit. Their reach is too limited, forcing many to shut down.

So far, ARD has only selectively decommissioned FM frequencies, aligning its approach with political guidance. Deutschlandradio, however, is further along in its exit strategy and has already abandoned many FM channels. By 2032, the KEF plans to allocate public broadcasting funds solely for DAB+ transmission, meaning public broadcasters would have to cover any remaining FM costs from other budgets.

Will Schleswig-Holstein's Phase-Out Deadline Hold?

Schleswig-Holstein remains the only German state to have set a firm deadline—2031—for ending analog FM broadcasting. Two private stations there have already switched off their FM transmitters. But with no momentum from other states, some observers question whether even this target will hold.