At a meeting in Lillehammer last week all Norwegian DAB/DAB+ content providers agreed to implement a common target level for loudness normalization. Taking the EBU's R 128 as a basis for their discussions, the digital radio broadcasters chose -15 LUFS as a preliminary target level, as opposed to the -23 LUFS specified in the EBU recommendation.
The main reason for this preliminary choice of -15 LUFS is to match the levels between DAB, FM and Internet radio in multiplatform receivers. The authorities in Norway are working towards a complete shutdown of the FM network in 2017 (or at the latest in 2019). At that point the loudness normalization target can be lowered to -23 LUFS, if not before.
While the implementation of EBU R 128 has so far been primarily in the domain of television, where the difference in audio levels between programming and advertising has been recognised as a particular issue for viewers, the work on loudness can apply equally to radio. Tech 3344, 'Practical guidelines for distribution systems in accordance with EBU R 128', provides specific guidance on applying the recommendation in the domain of radio.
| Before normalization
| After normalization |
A more detailed outline of the Norwegian implementation is available from our Loudness FAQ (courtesy of NRK's Bjørn Aarseth). On the same page you can find audio samples illustrating its impact.