Ofcom – Digital Radio Report 2016

Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has released the 2016 edition of its digital radio report. Have a look at the highlights below:

* There are currently 339 radio stations broadcasting on DAB in the UK, up by 56 stations in the last 12 months.

* 85% of new cars sold now have DAB digital radio fitted as standard and 43% of drivers and passengers say they travel in a vehicle with a digital radio ‘in most weeks’.

* 58% of adults listen to a radio set at home most weeks. The kitchen is the most common place for keeping a set at 55%. Lounge areas are second with 39% and adults’ bedrooms are closely behind with 35%.

* Digital listening has increased to 45.5% and in six areas of the UK digital listening exceeds 50%, led by Sussex. The other areas where digital listening exceeds 50% are Berkshire and north Hampshire (53.2%), Swindon and West Wiltshire (51.4%), London (51.3%), Gloucestershire (50.2%) and Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Ford Ennals, CEO, Digital Radio UK, said: “We welcome the publication of Ofcom’s annual Digital Radio Report. With new stations launching all the time, the transformation of DAB coverage and more ways of listening than ever before, listening to digital radio is becoming the norm and we would expect to see digital listening exceed 50% in 2017 just as it already does in many areas in the UK.”