Since this week, numerous ARD channels have been broadcasting via satellite and in a new standard. The old transmitters will be switched off in December. For you this means that if you want to continue listening to the radio via satellite, you have to at least change the frequencies – but possibly also your receiver.
Since July 20, the ARD radio programs have new satellite frequencies. In addition to the reception frequencies, the audio standard used changes at the same time. In the future, ARD will be relying on AAC-LC (Advanced Audio Codec-Low Complexity). The ARD says that the distribution is future-proof. This standard requires less data rate for the same sound quality and thus allows more efficient and cost-effective distribution. The audio standard AAC-LC is part of the DVB-S2 standard and has been supported by standards-compliant DVB-S2 receivers (set-top box or television) available on the market since around 2012.
But that also means: Older receivers will no longer be able to receive ARD radio stations in the future. Because in the course of the renewal, ARD will end the radio broadcasting service via satellite that has existed since 2005 on December 14, 2021. The corresponding program names are already marked with a note.
DETAILS ON RECEIVING THE ARD CHANNELS VIA SATELLITE
Many devices require a station search to receive the new stations. The ARD radio stations can be found on ASTRA 19.2 ° East on satellite transponders 39 and 61 . The ARD radio programs of BR, NDR, RB, SR, SWR, WDR start on transponder 39 and the radio programs of HR, MDR, RBB on transponder 61. A total of 64 ARD radio programs are available via satellite, with the radio program “Bremen NEXT” being a new addition.
Smart TV and satellite receivers sometimes also support visual radio. Pictures accompanying the program with lots of additional service information are transmitted here. Visual Radio uses the HbbTV standard and can be started using the red button on the remote control. The recipient must be connected to the Internet. But not all of the ARD stations use Visual Radio. According to ARD, there are Bayern 1, Bayern 2, Bayern 3, BR Heimat, BR Schlager, BR24, RBB 88.8, Antenne Brandenburg, rbb Inforadio, DASDING and SWR 3.
Anyone who listens to radio programs via the cable connection should only carry out a search after being requested to do so by the respective cable network operator. There are reports here that numerous special cable receivers may also become worthless, unless the cable network operators convert the new signal form into the old one.
