DAB radios ‘to reach 50% UK households by 2010’

Digital radios will achieve a 50% household penetration by 2010, according to the Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB). Its annual forecast says sales of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) sets in 2006 will be around the 2m mark, delivering a household penetration of 13.9% by the end of 2006. This is expected to rise to more than 40% by 2009, and top 50% in 2010.

The forecast, which tracks DAB set sales across all categories, was audited by media analysts Oliver and Ohlbaum. Using a bottom-up analysis of the current DAB set market, it also considers the shift within the audio market in recent years as listeners find non-traditional ways to consume radio—a trend that is expected to continue.