France pushes EU to mandate FM/DAB+ radio receivers in new vehicles
France pushes for mandatory FM/DAB+ receivers in new cars, citing emergency resilience and one-third of listening in vehicles.
Event / Technology
EU Radio Reception Vehicle Mandate
French broadcasters and radio industry representatives are calling on French and European authorities to mandate FM/DAB+ receivers in new vehicles. The push coincides with EU regulatory discussions on digital networks and a French legislative proposal scheduled for Senate debate on October 13, 2026. Industry advocates cite that approximately one-third of French radio listening occurs in vehicles and point to a 2025 Spanish blackout as evidence of radio's critical role in emergency situations.
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2026-09-21 to 2026-11-03 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 21 Sept, 17:58 UTC
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What happened
French Senate to debate radio modernization bill with vehicle receiver requirement
A French bill on radio modernization presented by Senator Laurent Lafon (Union centriste) includes Article 2, which requires FM and DAB+ receivers in new vehicles. The text is scheduled for debate in the French Senate on October 13, 2026. French radio broadcasters called on the government to support this provision.
EU Digital Networks Regulation under discussion regarding vehicle radio reception
The European Union's Digital Networks Regulation (DNA) is currently under discussion in Brussels and will determine whether FM and DAB+ receiver equipment in new vehicles becomes mandatory across the EU. French radio broadcasters called for France's support of this requirement in the ongoing EU regulatory process.
French radio sector calls for mandatory FM/DAB+ receivers in new cars
French public, private, and associative radio broadcasters submitted a joint request to French and European authorities to make installation of FM and DAB+ receivers mandatory in new vehicles. The request was signed by Radio France, the Alliance de la Radio (including RTL and Europe 1), and Les Locales (associative radios). The broadcasters noted that some car manufacturers, particularly American and Chinese companies, no longer systematically include radio reception in their multimedia systems, instead offering only streaming platforms like Spotify or making radio an optional paid feature.
Radio industry reports one-third of listening occurs in vehicles
According to Médiamétrie data, approximately one-third of radio listening in France occurs in vehicles. This statistic underscores the strategic importance of maintaining mandatory radio reception capabilities in automobiles as the radio industry faces declining overall audience levels.
Major power outage in Spain in April 2025 highlighted radio's critical role
A major electrical blackout that affected Spain in April 2025 demonstrated that radio remained a principal means of information when power infrastructure failed. French radio leaders cited this event as evidence that vehicles without radio receivers represent a gap in civil safety infrastructure and emergency communication capabilities.
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