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European broadcasters launch radio initiative to capture connected car opportunity

European broadcasters launch radio initiative to capture connected car opportunity
(From left) Nielsen, WorldDAB's Jacqueline Bierhorst, AER's Stefan Möller and Kudláčová

A group of European broadcasters have collaborated to launch the Radio Ready initiative, which aims to support radio listening in connected cars.

The working group currently comprises the Association of European Radios, Bauer Media, BBC, European Broadcasting Union, Global, NRJ, Radio France, RTL and Sveriges Radio, with support from Antenna Group and Radio Hamburg.

RCA, the organisation representing commercial radio in Australia, has also signed up to the initiative.

Marking the first time commercial and public-service broadcasters have joined forces for a unified message, Radio Ready was announced at the WorldDAB Automotive 2025 in Madrid on Thursday.

Radio Ready has three key principles: radio should be prominent and convenient; radio apps should be discoverable; and voice assistants should be reliable.

Its ultimate aim is to promote radio’s place in cars as automotive technology evolves. According to the initiative, radio currently accounts for over 80% of in-car audio consumption.

The working group is urging all broadcasters and trade bodies to join the initiative.

“Radio has always been there for us in our cars, a much-loved and greatly trusted companion. I can’t imagine what could fill the gap if it were ever to disappear from the dashboard,” said Edita Kudláčová, head of radio at the European Broadcasting Union.

“We must continue to innovate — together! — to ensure that radio distribution is fit for our increasingly connected world.”

Highlighting radio’s role in public safety and democracy, Tobias Nielsen, senior vice-president, digital, at Bauer Media, added: “It is essential for us to work together with the automotive industry to ensure that people can continue to access radio in the connected cars of the future.”

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