Sales Of DAB Digital Radios Boom In 2002

Sales of DAB digital radios increased by 165% in 2002 and look set to more than double in 2003, according to the Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB).

Around 75,000 DAB products went on sale in the run up to Christmas and a study carried out by the DRDB shows that almost all of them were sold, with leading retailers such as John Lewis, Dixons and Maplins struggling to get enough stock to meet demand.

Ian Dickens, chief executive of the DRDB, said: “It’s been a great Christmas for digital radio and things are looking good for 2003. We’re expecting some well known manufacturers to enter the market this year and those already at the party are planning some exciting new products.”

Penetration of DAB digital radio products in the UK is estimated to stand at around 135,000 and is expected to rise to between 300,000 and 500,000 during the course of the year. According to the DRDB, more transmitters will help to increase digital radio coverage to 85% for both national commercial and BBC services and up to 13 new local multiplexes could be broadcasting by the end of 2003.

The DRDB launched a major advertising campaign to promote DAB digital radio in the run up to Christmas (see DRDB Unveils Digital Radio Promotion) helping its new consumer website, www.digitalradionow.com, to attract 6,000 unique users between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

Late last year the DRDB began publicising the launch of what it claims to be the world’s first truly portable DAB digital radio. The radio is smaller and lighter than a pack of cards and features a menu system that allows users to switch between DAB and FM signals (see World’s First Portable Digital Radio Unveiled).

DRDB: 020 7306 2630 www.drdb.org

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