RAJAR Results: Digital radio listening up again

With the latest RAJAR results out, its been confirmed today that DAB digital radio ownership has gone up by 19% year on year, with 32% of adults – more than 16 million people – now living in a DAB household. That’s nearly one third of the UK�۪s adult population.

At 20.1%, more than a fifth of all radio listening is via a digital platform (up from 17.8% in Q1 2008). Leading the way is DAB listening with a share of 12.7% (up 17% year on year) with DTV and Internet listening at 3.4% and 2.2% respectively.

Digital listening hours were up 12% year on year to 206 million hours a week. DAB again takes the lion�۪s share at 130 million hours (up from 111 million in Q1 2008), with DTV and Internet both increasing by several million hours each.

The number of people listening to radio via a digital platform (weekly reach) has also grown to just over one third of the population at 33.8%. DAB again leads the way at 19.9%, with DTV and Internet both slightly up at 11.1% and 6.8% respectively.

The DRDB�۪s (Digital Radio Development Bureau) chief executive, Tony Moretta says, “These figures reflect strong DAB sales at Christmas when more than half a million sets were sold. It�۪s encouraging to see all digital listening ��� via DTV and Internet as well as DAB ��� continuing to grow with every quarter.

“With the support of the government�۪s Digital Britain initiative, the digital radio industry has been energised in recent months. New radio services are launching, new multi-functional products are appearing and prices are affordable. With countries like France, Germany and Australia launching DAB-based services, and chip-makers rising to the challenge of a global market, we believe radio�۪s digital future looks buoyant.”

In terms of Asian radio stations, the BBC Asian Network is the UK’s only Asian radio station broadcasting nationally digitally. Sunrise Radio covers majority of Britain by being available on different multiplexes across the country.

Locally, Radio XL, Sabras Radio, Asian Sound and Kismat Radio simulcast their AM broadcasts on digital locally, whereas Panjab Radio, Punjab Radio, Asian FX Radio and Masti are available on digital-only in other parts of the UK.

ZEE Radio, which made available its main output on digital-only was unsuccessful due to faltering market conditions. The station is set to closedown at the end of this month.

Club Asia announced yesterday that it will be launching its service on DAB digital radio in days to come. A launch date is yet to be confirmed.