DAB Radio Sales Expected To Reach 1 Million By January

New predictions from the BBC claim that sales of DAB digital radios are set to reach, and exceed, one million units by January 2005, following an anticipated boost from Christmas sales.

The new predictions update those made earlier this year by the Corporation that sales of digital radios could reach a million by 2005. However, sales figures to October from the Digital Radio Development Bureau and GfK show more than 800,000 units had been sold even before Christmas trade had begun, suggesting that the end of year total will exceed one million.

Commenting on the predictions, Simon Nelson, controller of BBC Radio and Music Interactive, said: “The BBC is fully committed to DAB and, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the BBC, commercial radio, manufacturers and retailers, digital radio looks like being one of the success stories of the year.”

The BBC’s predictions contradict those of high street retail giant Dixons, which earlier this year warned of a slowing in Christmas spending, particularly on electronic goods. The retailer warned last month that consumer spending had lost pace, claiming that the reduction in shopping activity could hit broadcasters heavily, as several companies have launched festive promotions to boost consumer uptake of new technology (see Slow Down Of Electrical Goods May Hit Sky Subscriptions).

The transition of listeners from analogue to digital radio has come under scrutiny in recent months, with the uptake of new digital sets growing from strength to strength. The technology is sure to become one of the success stories of next year, with recent forecasts from the DRDB predicting a boom in popularity for digital broadcasts, rising by a staggering 1200% to 13 million sets in Britain by 2008.

The DRDB’s most recent Five-Year DAB Digital Radio Forecast predicts that around 29% of British homes will posses a digital radio by 2008, with the increased choice in listening and superb sound quality drawing a steady stream of adopters to the new technology (see Third Of UK Homes To Have Digital Radio By 2008).

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk

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