HDRadio

In January 2026, Xperi and HD Radio took part in BES EXPO India, one of the country’s most influential gatherings for broadcast, media, and technology leaders. Held on January 29–30 at Pragati Maidan (Bharat Mandapam) in New Delhi, the event came at a pivotal moment as India evaluates the next phase of its national digital radio journey.

With strong participation from government bodies, broadcasters, manufacturers, and technology partners, BES EXPO 2026 reaffirmed its role as a key forum for shaping the future of broadcasting in India. For Xperi, the event provided an opportunity to demonstrate how HD Radio® can support India’s digital ambitions with a solution that is subscription‑free, scalable, and ready for real‑world deployment.

Why BES EXPO Matters for India’s Digital Radio Transition

As India continues to expand FM coverage and modernize its broadcast infrastructure, the industry faces a critical challenge: how to introduce digital radio in a way that preserves existing investments while enabling innovation and long‑term growth.

BES EXPO brings together the stakeholders needed to address that challenge. The 2026 edition saw active engagement from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, public broadcasters, regulators, automotive manufacturers, and broadcast technology providers. Across discussions on the show floor and conference stage, a clear focus emerged on practical, deployment‑ready digital solutions that align with India’s infrastructure and policy priorities.

In this context, HD Radio resonated as a technology well suited to India’s needs—delivering digital services while remaining backward‑compatible with existing FM networks.

Xperi at BES EXPO 2026: Presence and Focus

Xperi participated as an exhibitor with a 60‑square‑meter stand in Hall 12A, a high‑relevance area for broadcast and transmission technologies. The stand featured prominent Xperi and HD Radio branding, centered on the message of extraordinary, subscription‑free digital radio.

Xperi’s presence focused on:

• Supporting national discussions around digital radio policy
• Demonstrating the maturity of the global HD Radio ecosystem
• Engaging broadcasters, policymakers, and technology partners
• Reinforcing HD Radio’s position as a proven, scalable digital radio standard

Throughout the event, the stand served as a hub for informed conversations about digital radio deployment and ecosystem readiness.

Xperi & HD Radio Stand at BES EXPO 2026

Demonstrating Ecosystem Readiness Through Live Demos 

A key highlight of Xperi’s presence was the emphasis on live demonstrations that showcased digital radio in practice.

In addition to HD Radio, Xperi presented its other solutions:

• DTS Broadcaster Portal, highlighting tools for broadcaster control, engagement and analytics.
• DTS AutoStage™, demonstrating enhanced hybrid in‑car radio experiences.
• All in Media (AIM), focused on content discovery, radio apps and media monetisation. 

These demonstrations were supported with messaging from professional broadcast transmission equipment manufacturers Nautel and GatesAir, alongside device ecosystem partners including EDTC, a Government of India laboratory, and Innominds, an Indian device manufacturer. Together, the demos illustrated HD Radio’s readiness across transmission, devices, and consumer platforms.

Thought Leadership: Digital Radio Roadmap Session

Ted Laverty, Vice President, Global Standards at Xperi, delivered a session titled “Digital Radio Roadmap: Spectrum, Infrastructure and Industry Readiness.”

“India doesn’t need to start from zero to modernize radio,” said Ted Laverty. “HD Radio builds on the FM foundation already in place, enabling a seamless transition to digital that is affordable, scalable, and ready today.”

See the video record at the bottom of this post.

 Ted Laverty, VP Global Standards, Xperi, with other panelists speaking at BES EXPO 2026 

Key Takeaways from Industry Engagement 

Throughout BES EXPO 2026, Xperi engaged with a broad cross‑section of the Indian broadcast ecosystem, including government stakeholders, public and commercial broadcasters, automotive manufacturers, and technology partners.

Several consistent themes emerged:

• Strong interest in deployment‑ready digital radio solutions
• Broad recognition of the importance of backward compatibility with FM
• Alignment across the ecosystem once policy direction is finalized
• Growing momentum around digital radio as a catalyst for industry growth

This alignment was also reflected in recent national media coverage following BES EXPO. Private FM broadcasters, represented by the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI), have broadly backed HD Radio as a scalable, proven digital platform, emphasizing the importance of a cost‑effective transition that preserves existing FM investments. At the same time, the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) highlighted the need to adopt a proven technology with ecosystem readiness, noting that Indian device manufacturers are prepared to support HD Radio across consumer electronics once policy clarity is in place.*

Together, these perspectives reinforce the view that India’s digital radio ecosystem is technically prepared and strategically aligned, with the next phase driven by coordinated policy and industry action.

Looking Ahead

BES EXPO 2026 marked an important milestone in Xperi’s ongoing engagement with India’s broadcast community. The event highlighted both the maturity of HD Radio as a global standard and Xperi’s commitment to supporting India’s unique market requirements.

“What we saw at BES EXPO was real alignment across the ecosystem,” Ted Laverty added. “With HD Radio, India has an opportunity to move forward digitally while protecting existing investments and unlocking innovation without disruption.” 

Watch the video recording here.

Xperi team and partners during BES EXPO India 2026 

*Source:
Outlook India – Government Backs FM Expansion, Digital Radio Shift Gains Industry Support
https://www.outlookindia.com/national/govt-backs-fm-expansion-digital-radio-shift-gains-industry-support