Worldwide unit sales of digital radios are expected to increase more than three-fold from 2006 to 2011, according to a new report from In-Stat.
Recent developments include the availability of the new, enhanced Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)+ standard in the UK, an increase in the number of DAB trials throughout Europe and Asia, and the introduction of mobile devices with integrated DAB support, the high-tech market research firm says.
“From a regional standpoint, DAB technology is close to mass-market appeal in the UK, and is the pervasive digital radio technology throughout Europe,” said Stephanie Ethier, In-Stat analyst. “Satellite radio remains the leading platform for digital radio in the US, despite notable progress in HD Radio awareness.”
In-Stat also found that the global market for digital radio will grow from 9 million units in 2006 to almost 32 million units in 2011.
In 2005, 57% of respondents to an In-Stat consumer survey in the US were aware of HD Radio. This percentage had grown significantly to 77% by 2007.
The Digital Radio Development Bureau has forecast that household penetration of DAB digital radio in the UK is set to reach 58.5% by the end of 2011.
The group’s five-year forecast puts household penetration at 21% by the end of 2007, and 30% by the end of 2008, rising to 40% in 2009, 50% in 2010, and 58.5% by the end of 2011 (see UK DAB Household Penetration To Reach 58.5% By 2011).
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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