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Momentum in the Global Digital Radio Market

The legacy broadcast radio sector has seen better days, but there's hope on the horizon. The worldwide digital radio market is on a roll, with unit sales expected to increase more than three-fold from 2006 to 2011, according to the latest assessment from In-Stat.

Recent developments include the availability of the new, enhanced Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)+ standard in the UK, an increase in the number of DAB trials throughout Europe and Asia, and the introduction of mobile devices with integrated DAB support, the high-tech market research firm says.

"From a regional standpoint, DAB technology is close to mass-market appeal in the UK, and is the pervasive digital radio technology throughout Europe," says Stephanie Ethier, In-Stat analyst. "Satellite radio remains the leading platform for digital radio in the U.S., despite notable progress in HD Radio awareness."

In-Stat's market study found the following:

- The global market for digital radio will grow from 9 million units in 2006 to almost 32 million units in 2011.

- In 2005, 57 percent of respondents to an In-Stat consumer survey in the U.S. were aware of HD Radio. This percentage had grown significantly to 77 percent by 2007.

- Increased choice of programming continues to be the primary driver of digital radio ownership.

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