Digital Radio Sales Hits Record Number In Last Year

The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB) has revealed that digital radio sales have increased by a staggering 229% year on year for the last twelve months. By the end of February 2004, the dramatic growth of digital audio broadcast (DAB) in the UK had pushed penetration to 509,000 units.

Record sales of DAB products were achieved over Christmas 2003; two flew off the shelves every minute on average in December. Consumer enthusiasm has continued past the Christmas rush and now some car manufacturers are offering DAB as an option on 2004 models.

As the number of digital radio stations grows, customer demands for newer, more convenient products to listen to these stations is being met. DAB is now available across the entire audio range which includes pocket radio, clock radio, home cinema, boombox and in-car systems.

A DRDB survey of 12,000 DAB radio owners found that satisfaction levels with sound quality, new station choice and ease of use have consistently scored higher than 90% over the past year.

DRDB chief executive Ian Dickens said: “Consumers like this technology – they like the wider station choice and they like how easy it is use and they’re proving it by continuing to buy in record numbers.”

The DRDB says it expects DAB radio sales to double and reach one million by the end of 2004. “DAB digital radio continues to move ever closer to mass market, and achieving half a million sales is a significant step on that road,” says Dickens.

DRDB: 020 7306 2630 www.drdb.org

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