Over 50m DAB receivers now sold worldwide
March 28, 2017
WorldDAB has published the latest version of its infographic, featuring DAB receiver sales, coverage and household penetration for markets in Europe and Asia Pacific up to the end of 2016.
Key findings include:
- Over 53 million receivers (including automotive line-fit) have been sold worldwide
- Growth in digital radio being fitted as standard in new cars – Norway (98 per cent of new cars with DAB), UK (87 per cent) and Switzerland (66 per cent) lead the way
- DAB population coverage continues to grow: Norway (99.7 per cent), Switzerland (99.5 per cent), Denmark (98 per cent), The UK (97 per cent), Germany (96 per cent) and The Netherlands (95 per cent)
- Next wave of markets developing strongly – 23 countries with DAB services featured in infographic
Impact of Digital Switchover
Norway’s digital switchover has had a significant impact on digital radio sales and reach, with cumulative receiver sales reaching 3.9 million and listening reach up to 69 per cent at the end of Q4 2016. This is alongside a jump from 63 per cent to 98 per cent for new cars sold with DAB+.
Switzerland, starting its own DSO in 2020, has seen cumulative receiver sales increase to 2.8 million with the DSO marketing campaign due to start this year.
Established markets
The UK now boasts total receiver sales of 31.7 million, along with an increase in the number of new cars fitted with DAB as standard to 87 per cent.
Over 8 million receivers have now been sold in Germany, with coverage up to 96 per cent of the population and 98 per cent of ‘first level’ roads. 581,000 receivers have now been sold in The Netherlands and Italy has almost reached the 1 million receivers sold mark. Over 3 million receivers have now been sold in Australia, with new services in Canberra, Darwin and Hobart due in 2017.
“In the last year digital radio has continued to go from strength to strength and the increase in receiver sales and listeners shows that the future of radio is digital,” said Patrick Hannon, President, WorldDAB. “It’s not just the markets looking at digital switchover, but the next ‘wave’ where growth has been impressive. In particular, Australia, France, Italy, Germany and The Netherlands have all seen a significant jump in receiver sales.”
Emerging markets
The infographic also details emerging DAB markets for the first time. In Belgium it’s expected that later this year regular DAB+ services will cover 99 per cent of the population. In France regular DAB+ services are due to launch in Lille, Lyon and Strasbourg later this year and Slovenia launched regular DAB+ services in September. Austrian regulator RTR recently announced it is providing up to four million euros for the launch of DAB+ services.