Digital Radio Penetration Hits Record Level
The UK is steaming ahead in terms of DAB digital radio penetration, with an estimated 1.2 million digital sets in households by the end of 2004, according to data released by the World DAB Forum.
The dramatic uptake of digital receivers has seen sales of sets jump by 178% compared with 2003, aided by the record number of sets sold this Christmas, taking the overall total of purchased DAB sets well over one million.
The festive season saw UK retailers struggle in traditional sales areas, however, “everything digital” enjoyed a strong performance in sales, with DAB digital radio sales more than doubling, year-on-year. This trend is expected to continue into 2005, according to DRDB marketing director, Mike Spencer.
Dan Knowles, director of buying at John Lewis Partnership said that sales of digital radios were up by 57%, while Nick Woods, managing director of Dixons said: “Radio renaissance in the UK brought about by the development of digital radio technology has gathered pace this year.”
The Digital Radio Development Bureau has forecast that, in the next four years, nearly a third of UK households will have DAB digital radio. By 2008, the total number of DAB radio sets is expected to increase by 1200%, taking today’s current total of individual units from one million to 13 million (see Third Of UK Homes To Have Digital Radio By 2008).
Europe is catching up on the UK however, with Denmark showing an increase of 350% compared to 2003 and Belgium a massive 500% jump for the same period. Norway has reported sales of just over 4,000 in December and with 70% DAB coverage and plans to switch some popular FM services over to DAB only reception, the DAB market in Norway is predicted to boom in 2005.
World DAB Forum: 020 7288 4642 www.worlddab.org
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