A New Benchmark in Terrestrial Broadcast Audio Quality
[MOSTA] • [April 2026]
| 15 Years of DAB+ service in Malta — one of the longest-running networks in Europe | 1st Malta was the first country in the world to roll out DAB+ nationwide | R128 All HD MAX channels comply with EBU R128 loudness specifications |
Digi B Network Ltd, operator of Malta’s nationwide terrestrial digital audio broadcasting network, today announced the launch of HD MAX — a next-generation digital radio broadcast service that delivers the highest-quality audio ever offered over local radio.
Building on 15 years of Digi B’s pioneering DAB+ infrastructure in Malta — and on the country’s unique distinction as the world’s first nation to roll out DAB+ nationwide — HD MAX represents a major leap forward in broadcast sound performance. Designed for today’s discerning audiences who are increasingly accustomed to premium audio experiences across diverse digital platforms, HD MAX delivers digital radio channels with exceptional clarity, dramatically expanded dynamic range, and consistent, interference-resistant service across the Digi B coverage area.
“As listener expectations continue to evolve, audio quality must evolve with them. HD MAX sets a new standard for terrestrial broadcasting — allowing stations to deliver sound quality without compromise that truly reflects their brand, their creativity, and their content.”
Sergio D’Amico, Founder and Managing Director — Digi B Network Ltd
A Clear Step Forward in Audio Performance
HD MAX has been engineered to overcome the inherent technical limitations traditionally associated with analog transmission. By utilising advanced digital broadcast technology across Digi B Network Ltd’s terrestrial infrastructure, HD MAX delivers a listening experience that is measurably superior in every dimension — from signal stability to sonic depth.
- Crystal-clear audio reproduction with greater detail and depth
- Enhanced dynamic range — hear what was always there but never reached you
- Dramatically improved resistance to noise and signal degradation
- Consistent, reliable quality across the full coverage area — no more dead zones
- Better reception indoors, in vehicles, and in dense urban environments
- Future-ready broadcast capability built on proven DAB+ infrastructure
- EBU R128 loudness compliance across all channels
- Greater variety of stations available on the DAB+ platform — more choice for every listener
EBU R128 Loudness Compliance
Every channel on the HD MAX platform is engineered to comply with EBU R128 specifications — the broadcast industry’s gold standard for loudness normalisation. This eliminates the jarring volume jumps between stations and ensures a consistent, fatigue-free listening experience that is as comfortable as it is high-fidelity.
For listeners, this means music that sounds richer and more immersive, speech that is sharper and easier to understand, and an overall experience that matches the modern digital standard — delivered through the trusted reach of terrestrial radio, with noticeably better reception than ever before.
A Powerful Opportunity for Broadcasters
HD MAX offers FM broadcasters a seamless pathway into premium-quality digital terrestrial broadcasting while maintaining the reach and reliability of traditional over-the-air distribution. Broadcasters adopting HD MAX can:
- Elevate their station’s perceived quality and competitiveness
- Differentiate in an increasingly crowded media environment
- Future-proof their transmission infrastructure
- Offer audiences a superior listening experience that aligns with today’s digital standards
- Deliver a richer digital user experience — from enhanced metadata and station information to a seamless, modern listening interface
As the media landscape shifts toward higher fidelity and digital-first consumption, HD MAX ensures that terrestrial broadcasting remains not only relevant — but exceptional. Malta’s 15-year head start in DAB+ means the infrastructure, the expertise, and the audience familiarity are already in place. HD MAX is the natural next chapter.
Designed for Today’s Listener
Modern consumers expect the same level of audio excellence from broadcast radio that they experience from high-resolution streaming platforms. HD MAX bridges that expectation gap — delivering uncompromised quality and interference-free reception through trusted terrestrial delivery. With HD MAX, listeners no longer have to choose between reach and quality. They can have both.
About Digi B Network Ltd
Digi B Network Ltd operates Malta’s terrestrial digital audio broadcasting network — the world’s first nationwide DAB+ rollout, now entering its 16th year of service. The company partners with broadcasters to deliver high-quality, future-ready audio services to audiences nationwide, dedicated to advancing the future of radio through innovation, reliability, and superior technical performance.
Media Contact
[news@dab.com.mt]
Digi B Network Ltd
[+356 99423199] • [www.dab.com.mt]
