While the world obsesses over streaming apps and podcasts, the Kingdom has been quietly building something that may surprise the digital-first generation: a state-of-the-art broadcast radio network.
And it’s expanding at remarkable speed.
DAB+ Expands Across the Kingdom
DAB+ — short for Digital Audio Broadcasting Plus — has now expanded to nine additional cities across the Kingdom and covers major highway corridors connecting them.
Since its launch in August 2023, the technology has evolved from a pilot project into core national infrastructure.
This progress will be prominently showcased at the Saudi Media Forum 2026, offering a clear picture of how far digital radio has advanced in a short time.
Why Broadcast Radio Still Matters
At a time when streaming dominates daily listening habits, broadcast radio offers something platforms like Spotify simply can’t: reliability everywhere.
DAB+ works:
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On long highway drives between Riyadh and Jeddah
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In remote areas where mobile coverage drops
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During emergencies when internet networks fail
No buffering.
No data consumption.
No subscriptions.
Just clear, uninterrupted digital audio, available at all times.
Regional Context, National Scale
The Kingdom is not alone in adopting DAB+.
Bahrain launched its own network in 2023, while Kuwait has operated 15 DAB+ stations since 2014.
What sets the Kingdom apart is scale.
Its deployment far exceeds regional peers, reflecting both the country’s vast geography and its ambition to lead media and technology transformation in the region.
Making Arabic Fully Digital
One of the most significant — and least visible — developments lies in language support.
WorldDAB, the global organization overseeing digital radio standards, has been working with the Arab States Broadcasting Union to develop dedicated Arabic character sets within the DAB+ standard.
The impact is practical and powerful:
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Arabic station names display correctly
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Song titles appear clearly
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News tickers render properly
Car dashboards and radio screens finally reflect the language most listeners actually use.
Global Expertise at Saudi Media Forum 2026
WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst will attend Saudi Media Forum 2026, leading a masterclass titled:
“DAB+: The Future of Digital Radio Broadcasting and the Evolution of Audio in the Smart Era.”
She will also participate in a panel discussion examining how 5G technology could reshape television and radio broadcasting — a timely conversation in a country investing heavily in both fields.
Media Innovation Beyond Audio
Alongside the forum, the FOMEX Exhibition will highlight the latest broadcasting and production technologies, reinforcing the Kingdom’s positioning as a media innovation hub, not merely a consumer market.
A Strategic Move Under Vision 2030
In a nation building futuristic cities and hosting global sporting events, investing in broadcast radio might appear unglamorous.
In reality, it’s a strategic decision.
Reliable radio reaches:
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Every vehicle
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Every household
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Every corner of a vast nation
Within the Vision 2030 framework, DAB+ represents something essential: connectivity that works for everyone, everywhere.
In an era of information overload, sometimes the most effective technology is also the most dependable.
