The Digital Radio Development Bureau

The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB) is a trade body funded and supported by the BBC and commercial radio multiplex operators. Its task is to ensure that digital radio has wide accessibility and to assist its swift adoption in the UK through consistent and effective marketing.

The DRDB website (www.drdb.org) provides wide range of information on digital radio, including information on device manufacturers and device retailers, as well as information to assist broadcasters.

Digital Radio adoption

The DRDB published regular information on the uptake of DAB digital radio sets in association with GfK.

By the end of 2007, cumulative sales of DAB sets was 6.45 million, up from 4.4 million in 2006, and that 27% of owners have more than one DAB radio at home.

The DRDB forecasts sales of 2.6 million in 2008, bringing the cumulative total to 9.1 million sets and household penetration to 30%.

Digital listening

RAJAR collates and publishes information about radio listening, and analyses listening between analogue and digital platforms, splitting the latter between DAB, DTV and the Internet.

RAJAR Q4 2007 highlighted that 16.6% of all radio listening is currently done through a digital platform, split as follows:

• 9.9% via DAB
• 3.1% via DTV
• 1.9% via the Internet

RAJAR also shows a steady increase in DAB set ownership with 22.3% of adults (15+) in Q4 2007 claiming to own a DAB receiver (a 40% increase year on year).

Further information on RAJAR and digital radio listening is available at www.rajar.co.uk.

Getting on DAB Digital Radio: Background - The Stages - The Costs - DAB Facts