The 66 page 2013 Digital Radio Industry Report, has been released by Commercial Radio Australia showing digital radio sales figures have risen to a total of 192,974* in a four month period while listening continues to grow with almost 1.5 million** people tuning in each week.  Also, nearly 14,000 new vehicles have now been sold with in-dash DAB+ digital radio.

The main findings of the report are:

• 1.5 million people or 11.6% of radio listeners, listen to radio on a DAB+ digital radio each week in the five state capital cities;
• time spent listening (TSL) to radio via DAB+ digital radio is double that of time spent listening to radio via the internet;
• household penetration of DAB+ is tracking ahead of forecast at 15.2% (end of Jan 2013);
• nearly 14,000 new vehicles have been sold with DAB+ (does not include aftermarket product).

The highest ever sales figures of DAB+ devices were recorded over the 2012/2013 Christmas and New Year period bringing the total number of digital radios sold since launch to nearly 1.2 million (1,195,940). This represents an increase of 13.57% year on year for digital radio sales, defying a decline in retail sales over the same period.

PwC originally forecast DAB+ digital radio household penetration would be 16% by June 2014.  Based on the rate of receiver sales, this was reforecast for the 2012 Report up to 16% by December 2013.  However, following the last 12 months uplift in sales, PwC has estimated that the current DAB+ household penetration at the end of January 2013 is now well ahead of forecast, reaching 15.2%.

CRA chief executive officer, Joan Warner said, “The latest figures are proof positive that Australians have embraced digital radio.  Even without the impetus of a switch off date, DAB+ digital radio uptake continues to increase.” 

The industry report includes, for the first time, the number of vehicles sold in Australia with DAB+ as standard, or taken up as an option, by car buyers. Early figures indicate that nearly 14,000 new vehicles have been sold with DAB+.

The 2013 Digital Radio Industry Report is the fourth report compiled by CRA and includes data from the official radio industry audience measurement survey provider, Nielsen, consumer electronics market research company GfK, market research organisation, the Hoop Group and updated tracking of the household penetration forecast form PwC.

The latest research includes detailed breakdowns and comparative figures on time spent listening (TSL) and listening by age, platform and place.

Ms Warner said, “The latest data is very pleasing, but we urge all Australian listeners to register their support for digital radio expanding into regional Australia with local MPs, via a specially set-up website: www.wewantdigitalradio.com.au so that everyone can experience digital radio.”