Canada’s commercial broadcasters have joined an international campaign to keep radio easy to find and use in connected cars.
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) has become the latest member of Radio Ready, a global coalition working to protect radio’s position in vehicles as manufacturers introduce increasingly digital dashboards.
The association represents private broadcasters across Canada and joins more than 40 organisations already involved in the initiative, which collectively represent over 10,000 radio stations worldwide.
Its membership follows the recent addition of the US National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), giving the coalition further representation across North America.
Radio Ready, launched by Bauer, is campaigning to ensure broadcast radio remains accessible, prominent and easy to discover in connected vehicles amid concerns that increasingly complex dashboard systems could make listening more difficult.
The issue is particularly significant in Canada, where broadcast radio forms part of the national public alerting system and provides information during wildfires, severe weather and other emergencies.
Kevin Desjardins, President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, said: “As car dashboards become more complex, protecting straightforward access to radio is essential to preserving that public service.”
He added that joining the coalition would help ensure drivers could continue to find and use radio while maintaining its role in keeping Canadians informed and safe.
Tobias Nielsen, CEO of Bauer Media Audio Denmark and VP Strategic Partnerships at Bauer Media Group, welcomed the association’s involvement.
He said: “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.”
The coalition’s continuing expansion brings together broadcasters from different markets around the shared objective of maintaining straightforward access to radio as vehicle entertainment and information systems develop.
