Worldwide, the market for digital radio receivers will grow from 5 million units in 2005, to almost 25 million unit shipments in 2010, according to a new forecast from In-Stat.
In-Stat added that in 2006, 73% of respondents to an In-Stat US consumer survey were aware of HD Radio on some level, whilst in Europe, primarily the United Kingdom, digital audio broadcasting is the pervasive form of radio, with DAB radio receiver shipments outpacing analogue radio receiver shipments this year.
Figures released by the Digital Radio Development Bureau in October showed that DAB set penetration in the UK is on track to top 50% household penetration by 2010 (see DAB Penetration To Reach 50% Of Households).
Stephanie Ethier, In-Stat analyst, said: “The primary factors contributing to this expected growth are falling receiver prices, an increase in the amount of compelling digital programming, significant boosts in promotion and advertising of digital radio, and enhanced functionality of digital radio receivers.
“Overall, digital radio is still an emerging market. Opportunities abound for retailers, broadcasters, automobile OEMs, and receiver manufacturers alike.”
Meanwhile, a report from Eureca Research said that there will be a global market of 145 million DAB radios by 2012, with DAB undergoing a transition from being an audio only platform to a fully interactive multimedia and mobile TV platform (see Global DAB Market To Reach 145 Million Sets).
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