FM And DAB Radio To Be Available Via iPods

A new plug-in device is set to come on to the market in late autumn which will enable consumers to listen to DAB digital radio and FM radio through their iPods.

Roberts Radio and Frontier Silicon are working together to bring the device on to the market, at a retail price of around £50. All leading electrical retailers, both independent and multiples, are expected to stock the plug-in, which in DAB mode displays the name of the radio station that users are tuned to.

With more than 13 million iPods already in the pockets of UK music fans of all ages, the plug-in is expected to boost radio listening on the move significantly, with both the BBC and commercial radio sector welcoming the news.

“One of the key challenges for the radio industry is how to ensure that radio is included in every device,” said Jenny Abramsky, director of BBC Audio & Music.

“I am delighted that the first ever DAB/FM plug-in for iPods will be launched later this year bringing radio to our audiences where they want and when they want it.”

The commercial sector is equally enthusiastic. Ralph Bernard, chief executive of GCap Media, said: “We recognise the importance of putting radio into new devices and of keeping the medium relevant for a new generation of listeners.

“Adding radio to mobile phones and MP3 players means the size of the radio receiver market can double overnight, leading to more opportunities to listen to radio than ever before. So, it is important for radio’s digital future that we are available to consumers via market leading devices like the iPod.”

At the last RAJARs, it was revealed that a quarter of 15-24 year olds with a mobile phone (1.6 million) listen to the radio via their handsets, the same figure as for the fourth quarter.

In addition, 2.5 million (18% of mp3 player owners) use their mp3 player to listen to downloaded podcasts, up from 2.1 million in Q4 (see Digital Radio Continues To Perform Well).

Apple: www.apple.com