The worldwide digital radio market is on a roll, with unit sales expected to increase more than three-fold from 2006 to 2011, reports 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,” says Stephanie Ethier, In-Stat analyst. “Satellite radio remains the leading platform for digital radio in the US, despite notable progress in HD Radio awareness.”
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
- 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.
- Increased choice of programming continues to be the primary driver of digital radio ownership.
(Source: In-Stat)
on Nov 8th, 2007 at 16:07
Another recent report raises doubts:
Digital radio has made exciting advances over the last decade, leaving little doubt of a digital future. Broadcasters have invested in a range of technologies, which continue expanding into their own universe. A UK consultancy has taken exception to all the happy talk.
The report – titled ‘Digital Radio Switchover: somewhere over the rainbow?’ – focuses almost exclusively on the UK media market. It casts, rather broadly, that digital radio as currently configured is failing and concludes that some UK broadcasters have come to the same conclusion.
Digital radio growth – in the UK, France, Germany and the US – is pointing in the direction of the internet – Internet Protocol (IP).
http://followthemedia.com/alldigital/rainbow07112007.htm
on Nov 9th, 2007 at 18:44
Apart from the UK and to a lesser extent Denmark, digital radio in europe has almost no audience whatsoever. DAB and DRM are both a complete failure. DAB will be replaced by DMB/DAB+. What will DRM bring, if anything? We are still awaiting the promised reasonably priced receivers.