EBU Revises Guidelines for In-Car Digital Connectivity
In the rapidly evolving world of connected cars, a strategic industry framework known as the "Radio Ready for Connected Car" playbook aims to ensure radio remains a prominent, accessible, and resilient service [1][4]. This collaborative initiative, led by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and now joined by major commercial broadcasters, seeks to address the challenges posed by the digital age while maintaining radio's civic role [1][4].
At the heart of the playbook is a shared vision for the future of radio in connected cars. Key objectives include unifying the industry, ensuring visibility and accessibility, maintaining reliability, and enhancing user experience [1]. The playbook advocates for seamless integration, improved voice control, smarter app connectivity, and hybrid solutions that combine broadcast and IP (internet) delivery for uninterrupted listening [1][2].
One of the playbook's cornerstones is the preservation of radio's ability to function independently of internet infrastructure, a critical factor for emergency alerts and live updates [1]. The initiative also emphasizes close collaboration with automakers to define clear, practical guidelines for implementing these principles in vehicle dashboards [1].
Radioplayer, a key technology partner, has developed a hybrid core system that blends traditional broadcast and IP delivery, ensuring continuous audio even when reception fluctuates [2]. Innovations like one-tap restart of live shows, catch-up functionality, and direct links to broadcasters’ apps are being rolled out, demonstrating practical progress towards the playbook’s goals [2].
Tobias Nielsen, SVP of Bauer Media Group, spoke at this year's WorldDAB Automotive summit in Madrid's Palacio Neptuno hotel on June 19. Nielsen emphasized that the audience wants radio apps to be more discoverable, with radio always being accessible and always present on the screen, ideally with a physical radio button being the gold standard [3]. He also reiterated that radio should always be free, with no paywalls, subscription fees, or similar restrictions [3].
Nielsen further stated that users will not continue to try voice commands if they do not work after three attempts, emphasizing the need for voice technology to be reliable [3]. The Radio Ready playbook is supported by Australia's commercial radio broadcasters, and the EBU and WorldDAB are aiming to attract more broadcasters from around the world to the initiative [1].
In conclusion, the Radio Ready for Connected Car playbook represents a decisive, collaborative effort to future-proof radio in Europe’s automotive landscape. By uniting broadcasters, technologists, and automakers around shared principles and practical innovations, it aims to ensure that radio remains as vital and prominent in the connected car era as it has been for decades [1][2][4].
| Aspect | Description | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Led by** | EBU, now joined by major commercial broadcasters (e.g., Bauer, Global)[1][4] | | **Core Goal** | Ensure radio’s prominence, accessibility, and reliability in connected cars | | **Technical Focus** | Hybrid broadcast/IP delivery, seamless integration, voice control, app links[2] | | **User Benefits** | Uninterrupted listening, catch-up, easy station discovery, emergency alerts | | **Industry Impact** | Unified standards, collaboration with automakers, future-proofing radio | | **Civic Role** | Maintains radio as a public safety net and democratic service[1] |
- The "Radio Ready for Connected Car" playbook, led by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and major commercial broadcasters, aims to preserve radio's civic role and ensure its prominence, accessibility, and reliability in the digital age, particularly in connected cars.
- Innovations such as Tobias Nielsen's emphasis on making radio apps more discoverable, with a physical radio button as the gold standard, and the development of hybrid core systems by technology partners like Radioplayer, blending traditional broadcast and IP delivery, are integral to the success of the Radio Ready playbook.
- The initiative emphasizes close collaboration with automakers to define clear guidelines for implementing these principles in vehicle dashboards, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that radio remains a vital and prominent service in the connected car era, just as it has been for decades.
