2027 finance bill includes DAB+ support

The 2027 finance bill (PLF) includes support for the deployment of terrestrial digital radio (DAB+), but no definitive decisions have been made. Several proposals aimed at strengthening the funding of the Fund for Supporting Local Radio Expression (FSER), which benefits particularly associative radios, have not been supported. Deputies have also rejected a proposal to reduce the budget of the "Press and Media" program.

Amendment proposes DAB+ promotion program

An amendment, II-CF1627, submitted on October 16 by Mickaël Bouloux and Céline Hervieu (Socialists and Allies), adopted by the finance committee, proposes the creation of a "Promotion of DAB+" program with a budget of 600,000 euros. The objective is to support collective communication campaigns led by the association Ensemble pour le DAB+ to better promote terrestrial digital radio and encourage listeners to equip themselves.

DAB+ funding aims to boost public adoption

In his explanatory note, Mickaël Bouloux points out that the development of DAB+ does not rely solely on the expansion of its geographic coverage, but also on its adoption by the public. He recalls that the broadcasting costs borne by radio broadcasters using DAB+ would exceed 30 million euros in 2026. The proposed funding could contribute to awareness campaigns using radio, television, and outdoor advertising.

Alternative DAB+ funding proposal rejected

The deputy aims thus to support the technological transition of the sector while promoting the adoption of this reception method by listeners. An alternative proposal from the same deputy (II-CF1895), providing a budget of 400,000 euros, was instead rejected. Another amendment (II-CF566), presented by Violette Spillebout (Together for the Republic) and also proposing 600,000 euros, was not supported.

FSER funding proposals not supported

Meanwhile, several amendments concerned the funding of the Fund for Supporting Local Radio Expression (FSER), which is intended for associative radios. Soumya Bourouaha (Democratic and Republican Left) proposed, with amendment II-CF1790, to increase the fund's budget by 3 million euros. This amount was to be divided between 600,000 euros to compensate for the effects of inflation and 2.4 million to support the transition of associative radios to DAB+.

FSER importance highlighted but rejected

In her explanatory note, the deputy recalled that 764 associative radios had benefited from the FSER in 2025 and that the aid represented, on average, 49% of their revenue. She emphasized thus the importance of this public funding in the economic balance of these structures, whose own resources remain limited. Another amendment, II-CF1626, presented by Frédéric Maillot (Democratic and Republican Left), proposed a funding of 18 million euros. These two proposals were not supported by the finance committee.

Proposal to reduce Press and Media budget rejected

A proposal to reduce funding was rejected. Matthias Renault (Rassemblement National) proposed, with amendment II-CF631, a reduction of 20.124 million euros in the budget of the "Press and Media" program. In his argument, the deputy defended a reallocation of resources around the issues of pluralism, local broadcasting, and radio presence in rural areas. This amendment was rejected.