WorldDMB has released its research on digital radio in cars, highlighting the growth of DAB digital radio adoption and showing the commitment by the automotive and broadcasting industries.
According to the study, digital radio is becoming a standard automotive feature in the most developed European digital radio markets. In the United Kingdom and Norway, over 60 percent of new cars are now sold with DAB radios, and Switzerland is at 45 percent.
Norway and Switzerland are expected to be the first countries in the world to set firm dates for digital switchover. Norway has achieved the criteria for DSO in 2017 and awaits government confirmation. In Switzerland, DSO is planned for 2020-24. In the U.K. policy is focused on a digital future; and in Germany, the ARD has affirmed its commitment to DAB+.
Results also show that digital radio adoption is growing in key markets. In Norway, 53 percent of households have digital radio; in the UK 49 percent; in Denmark 45 percent; and in Switzerland 43 percent. In Germany, receiver sales are rising 63 percent year on year in Q4 2014.
First level road coverage in Switzerland, Norway, Denmark and Netherlands exceeds 90 percent. In Germany, the national multiplex provides 75 percent coverage — with additional coverage provided by regional ARD networks. In Italy, coverage has reached 65 percent, the release said.
