DAB radios sales hit seven million

As a platform relaunch is suggested

22 May 2008 10:15 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Sales of DAB digital radios have topped seven million, according to the latest figures from GfK.

DAB radios are now selling at around two million a year and can be found in more than a quarter of all UK homes.

There are currently more than 300 DAB products in the market, with form factors including handheld MP3/DAB radios, docking stations with DAB, Wi-Fi radios with DAB along with a growing number of DAB clock radios, kitchen portables and hi-fi systems.

But, this milestone comes as the digital radio platform has come in for criticism from the industry.

Peter Davis, Ofcom director of radio and multimedia, recently said that said commercial broadcasters need to invest in stronger brands on DAB and called for a Freeview-style relaunch.

At the same time Jenny Abramsky, BBC director of audio and music, said DAB coverage - at about 86% of the population and 60% geographically - needed to be extended urgently.

Despite high profile station closures, such as that of theJazz and Planet Rock, the DRDB say by the end of 2008 they expect to see over nine million DAB radios in UK homes.