High costs and declining usage
Vodafone puts Deutschlandradio on the cable network. The public broadcaster relies on DAB+, Internet and satellite.
As of January 7, 2025, Vodafone stopped feeding Deutschlandradio programs into the cable network. This decision came in the wake of expiring contracts and rising costs for distribution via the cable network. Deutschlandradio is now planningto focus more on alternative reception channels such as DAB+, Internet and satellite.
The distribution of radio signals via cable has become more complex for some time. While VHF frequencies were previously used, today transmission is digital via DVB-C. This requires special reception devices or use via television, which further reduces the number of users.
The abolition of the additional cost privilege in mid-2024 also influenced the decision. Tenants can no longer bill the costs for the cable connection through their additional costs, which has led to a decline in cable usage.
Compared to previous models of distribution, such as analogue FM, DVB-C is technically more complex and less widespread. This is also reflected in the costs incurred for the feed-in.
Source: www.connect.de
