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Jazzradio Berlin loses frequency - court decision rewines!
Berlin's JazzRadio will lose its FM frequency in 2026 and switch to DAB+, while an electronic station will take over.
Jazzradio Berlin loses frequency - court decision rewines!
According to a decision by the Berlin Administrative Court, the Berlin jazz radio will only be able to send 106.8 MHz on the FM frequency until December 31, 2025. From January 1, 2026, this frequency will be taken over by an electronic music station, “106.8 Pure FM”. The court's decision was made in the urgent procedure and is therefore not yet final; Jazz radio has the opportunity to complain to the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court.
Managing Director Julian Allitt announced that it will discuss the next steps with the lawyers. Jazz radio has been broadcasting 106.8 MHz since 2010 and offers a music program moderated around the clock, which includes jazz and jazz soul music. The court found that the Berlin-Brandenburg (MABB) media facility has a frequency of frequency and that there are no serious mistakes when awarding the new transmitter. The MABB justified the decision with the candidate of the new broadcaster, which is intended to make a higher program of programs with the Berlin techno and club scene.
Court decision and opportunities of jazz radio
Jazz radio's urgent application, which was directed against the decision of the MabB, was largely rejected. However, it was found that jazz radio can continue to send on the frequency by the end of the year. However, the assignment of the frequency to the electronic music station from January 1, 2026 was considered lawful. Mabb also explained that the music direction Jazz in Berlin remains prominently represented. Only a transfer of the frequency to another jazz broadcaster up to this deadline was classified as faulty.
Ten more radio stations were also interested in the assignment of the frequency. They were all part of the tender carried out by the MABB in December 2024. Jazz radio sees itself as the only terrestrial jazz broadcaster in Germany and is considered recognized. In addition, jazz radio has also started the DAB+ program on Channel 7b since September 10, 2025.
New jazz station and the future of jazz music in Berlin
Parallel to the decision in favor of the electronic music station, a second jazz format, “jazz fm”, will also start on FM frequencies in Berlin and Potsdam from January 1, 2026. This new jazz format will be broadcast on the frequencies 91.0 MHz in Berlin and 90.7 MHz in Potsdam. According to MABB, jazz music remains a central part of the Berlin media landscape.
The total change of frequencies has the potential to redefine the diversity of musical offerings in the city, as JazzRadio continues to seek to exhaust its legal options and extend the closure period. The court's interim decision gave the broadcaster a temporary reprieve, but the final consequences will only be known with the Higher Administrative Court's ruling.
Overall, the loss of frequency for JazzRadio remains a critical turning point that affects the future of the station and jazz in Berlin. Rbb24 reports that in addition to increasing the musical offer, the Mabb also points out that the diversity of music in Berlin shapes the special character of the capital. Also berlin.de highlights that MABB's decision underlines that a variety of music genres and styles remain relevant and present in the city. It is also mentioned that radio scene The general situation of jazz music in Berlin is considered stable, despite the upcoming changes in the media sector.