Australia’s DAB+ digital radio-only stations attracted a weekly audience of 2.35 million people in 2020, an increase of 15% from 2.04 million in 2019, according to GfK data released by Commercial Radio Australia.
The weekly audience for all DAB+ stations, including AM and FM stations simulcasting on DAB+, reached 4 million*.
CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner said 11 commercial DAB+ stations each ended the year with a national weekly audience above 100,000 listeners^.
“DAB+ audiences have grown as a result of broadcasters enhancing their digital radio formats and car manufacturers continuing to add DAB+ radios to their vehicle ranges.
“Car sales recovered strongly in the last two months of last year as a result of consumers buying new vehicles for domestic road trips. This contributed to a total of 700,000 new vehicles with DAB+ on the road during 2020,” Warner said.
The figures compiled by automotive business intelligence group Glass’s Information Services show that 77% of new vehicles sold during the year were equipped with DAB+.
GfK’s point of sales report estimates that consumers purchased 129,000 DAB+ receivers in 2020, bringing total DAB+ receiver sales to 2.8 million since the broadcasting technology was launched in Australia.
Top rating commercial DAB+ stations nationally include Coles Radio, ARN’s The 80s and The 90s, OldSkool Hits, Triple M Classic Rock, Smooth Relax, Edge Digital, Urban Hits, Triple M Country, 2CH and Buddha Hits^.
For more information on DAB+ visit www.digitalradioplus.com.au.
See also: SEN launches another radio brand with launch of WA DAB+ station
Sources: GfK Radio Ratings, SMBAP S1-2 & 6-8 2020 Cume (000), Mon-Sun I2mn-I2mn, All People I0+, unless otherwise stated, comparisons made with SMBAP, S1-2 & 6-8 2019. *GfK Radio Ratings, SMBAP S1-2 & 6-8 2020 & Canberra S1 2020. ^GfK Radio Ratings, SMBAP S8 2020.
Glass’s Information Services Report, December 2020
GfK Point of Sales DAB+ Fusion report, inclusive of market coverage extrapolation to represent 100% sales coverage, includes product categories such as audio home systems, clock radios, portable radios and boomboxes.