Czech Radio is frequently in the process of testing and implementing of new technologies. It not only participates in digital television broadcasting, but also experimental broadcasting in the DAB and DAB+ standards.
Experimenting with digital radio broadcasting in the Czech Republic began in 1999. By March of that year, Ceske Radiokomunikace had tested the T-DAB system in Prague. Another test followed in May 2000 from two transmitters, disseminating the programme of four Czech radio stations. This broadcasting experiment ran until December 2000.
In recent years Czech Radio has been collaborating with Teleko, experimenting in digital broadcasting using DAB and DAB+ systems. These tests are usually limited to one month in one city, usually Pribram in Central Bohemia or the capital Prague. The latest test took place during January and February 2009 in Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic.
At the end of October and beginning of November 2003, Ceske Radiokomunikace ran tests broadcasting with the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) system in Prague. This was followed by a successful test of the DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) system in November 2005. During which, the radio programme was accompanied by video footage showing gorillas in the Prague Zoo that featured in the online reality show 'The Revealed' produced by Czech Radio.
Czech Radio and DVB-T
Awaiting official approval to launch a comprehensive digital radio network in the Czech Republic, Czech Radio has joined a terrestrial digital television network (DVB-T). This is operated by the public-service Czech Television, adding seven stations to their four TV channels.
Czech Radio has been involved in the digital TV network since the beginning of its experimental operation in Prague on the 12th of May, 2000. The network was publicly launched on the 21st of October, 2005; it has been settled at the permanent frequency three years later at the end of October 2008.
By January 2009, the joint DVB-T network of Czech Television and Czech Radio was available to 60 percent of the Czech population. It is the fastest-developing of the four digital networks currently in operation in the country.
Czech Radio stations disseminated over digital networks
In addition to the traditional nationwide stations (Radiozurnal, Praha, and Vltava), Czech Radio's digital portfolio includes four channels that were established in recent years.
On the 1st of May, 2005, new stations Radio Cesko and D-Dur went on air. The former delivers domestic and international news, with individual reports and news bulletins every fifteen minutes. D-Dur is a classical music station featuring the very best recordings from Czech Radio's vast archives, playing a range of music from the renaissance period to the 21st century. There are only brief introductions to each composition with no other spoken word on this station.
The popular-science station Leonardo launched on the 30th of May, 2005; focusing on technology, natural sciences, history, and medicine. There is a large quantity of complementary material made available on the internet, a custom all Czech Radio's stations. Users can listen to live broadcasts online, via podcasts, or watch what is going on in the studio using a webcam. The majority of programmes are available to download from the website in MP3 format.
The newest station at Czech Radio is Radio Wave , launched on the 13th of January, 2006. This station is aimed at young people, with playlists primarily comprising of Indie, Post Rock, Nu-Folk, Electro, quality Pop, and alternative Hip-Hop. Apart from music, Radio Wave broadcasts features on extreme sports, theatre, lifestyle, film, and travel. It lends its' name to Radio Wave Live Sessions - regular concerts featuring leading alternative Czech bands.
Other digital broadcasting systems
In addition to terrestrial digital broadcasting (DVB-T), Czech Radio disseminates its' programmes via satellite (Astra - DVB-S), cable TV networks , and by IPTV (TV over fixed phone lines). All Czech Radio's stations are broadcast live on the internet .
On Friday the 13th of October, 2006, Czech Radio's international service, Czech Radio 7 - Radio Praha , began digital broadcasting using the DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) system. The programme, which is transmitted from Rampisham in the UK, is available in Central and South-Eastern Europe in German and English on Fridays from 13.30 to 14.30 UTC and on Saturdays from 13.00 to 14.00 UTC at 9505 kHz.
