There are many platforms (like Spotify of Deezer) that are growing in popularity each passing day but it seems that the best way to discover new music still remains to be through the radio. Is there a chance that Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) may soon replace FM broadcasting?
I think there is a possibility. Your question is similar to the question I made regarding social media retiring radio stations when people will opt for DAB. We will see about this matter when 5G becomes the norm.
gofar99 Messages: 1947 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, I doubt it. DAB via something like 5G will mandate that you have a compatible device and service account for using it and maybe even for the DAB programming. If like all things new...the cost will be high. When FM is free and what many folks don't know is that many cell phones are capable of receiving it (just requires the proper app). It will not cut into your "minutes" etc. Plus there are really a lot of folks that just like to have the radio running in the home or office and like to hear local information. DAB would probably not cater to them. In a hundred years...who knows (they will probably put chips in our heads at birth ), but I figure as long as there are listeners and sponsors to pay for it FM and indeed AM will continue to exist.
I also don't think that anything will deal a killer blow to the FM radios, as long as the latter remains free. I think that radio technology has evolved over time and most people love to tune in so as to get updated with current affairs and all.
Okay, I have to concur with both of you because people don't switch easily to a new technology, except for iPhones. I thought FM stations pay some fees to the communication department of the government to maintain their channel so it is not totally free.
I think what the future will hold is more and more options. With the exception to what cell phones did to the landline, new technology never totally snuffs out the equivalent old technology.
I really do think that radio stations (at least local stations) will dwindle. I guess I do try to listen to local sporting events on the radio (AM stations). If I want to catch the news, I go online, or to the TV.
FM and AM bands will always remain a failsafe in my opinion. An option that is there "just in case". Same as shortwave.
There are people in the generation before me, my generation and the generation coming up who do not gravitatte to whatever is new. This includes this subject. There are 20 somethings that are just fine owning flip phones for example.
The future will hold about the same mix of new tech. and old tech as there is now. Me thiks.
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), but I figure as long as there are listeners and sponsors to pay for it FM and indeed AM will continue to exist. 
