European radio broadcasters vehicle mandate campaign

A coalition of public, private, and community radio broadcasters in France is campaigning for mandatory FM and DAB+ radio receivers in all new vehicles. The group, which includes Radio France and the Alliance de la Radio, has petitioned the French Ministry of Economy to protect direct, free access to broadcasts as manufacturers increasingly favor connected streaming platforms over terrestrial tuners.

As the movement expands, broadcasters and various governments are urging European Union policymakers to address regulatory loopholes. While the current European Electronic Communications Code requires digital terrestrial radio receivers, it lacks strict installation mandates. Advocates are calling for these requirements to be codified within the proposed Digital Networks Act to replace the existing code.

The coalition is seeking three specific protections: the inclusion of FM and DAB+ receivers in all new passenger and commercial vehicles, the provision of a dedicated physical button or prominent digital shortcut, and legislative support for radio modernization. Supporters argue that terrestrial radio is essential for public resilience, providing a critical tool for information dissemination during emergencies or network blackouts when mobile connectivity may fail.