The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) has signed on as a member of Radio Ready, a global coalition working to safeguard radio’s prominence in connected car dashboards.
Founded by European broadcaster Bauer Media Group and the Swedish public broadcaster, Sveriges Radio, the coalition works to strengthen the industry’s collective voice in discussions with automotive manufacturers, technology platforms and policymakers. CAB joins more than 40 members representing over 10,000 radio stations.
“Radio plays a vital role in the daily lives of Canadians; it keeps people connected to their communities, reflects our culture, and provides trusted information when it matters most. During wildfires, severe weather, and other emergencies, Canadians rely on free, local radio as a dependable source of timely updates,” said CAB President Kevin Desjardins, in an announcement. “As car dashboards become more complex, protecting straightforward access to radio is essential to preserving that public service. By joining Radio Ready, we’re adding Canada’s voice to a global coalition committed to ensuring drivers can continue to easily find and use radio, and to safeguarding the role it plays in keeping Canadians informed and safe.”
“Ensuring audiences can continue to easily access radio as the in-car experience evolves is an important priority for broadcasters,” added Tobias Nielsen, CEO, Bauer Media Audio Denmark and VP Strategic of Partnerships, Bauer Media Group. “The global support behind Radio Ready is a strong statement about the importance of securing a future where radio remains accessible and prominent in cars. We’re pleased to welcome CAB and to see the initiative continue to bring together perspectives from across the international radio community.”
Radio Ready says CAB’s membership, and the recent addition of National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in the U.S. over the summer, strengthens its international efforts to ensure broadcast radio remains accessible, prominent and discoverable as car dashboards become increasingly digital. While radio remains a leading choice for in-car audio, the coalition says increasingly complex dashboards risk making it harder to find and use.
