DTT v DAB v iPod
Just reading an interesting note on DigitalSpy about DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) in France.
The article makes comparative mention of the sales of DTT Freeview boxes in the UK and notes that since October 2002 27m Freeview boxes have been sold there. 27m - that’s a lot. Well after all it is TV and TV always bags the spotlight. That’s why Freeview in the UK is such a stellar success.
However, before we run away with ourselves, here is an interesting note of my own. In roughly the same period, the DAB digital radio, that’s right it’s just a radio, has sold 7m sets. Radio sets. No screen. No HD. Just a small box with a speaker. Not quite as sexy which might explain why we’re not seeing that in a spotlight. It is a sobering thought though to think that one in four people investing in digital is investing in a new digital radio.
One other quick point - there are more DAB radios in the UK than there are iPods. Did you know that?
And they said radio was dead!
May 8th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.
Allen Taylor
May 8th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
There’s a confusion here between DAB household penetration, 27.3%, and sales of DAB sets.
“Cumulative set sales at the end of March stood at 6.94 million” (Digital Radio Development Bureau):
http://www.drdb.org/article.php?id=689&from=hom
May 8th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
You are quite correct Mike. I had used the household penetration number to arrive at 14m DAB sets. Post now corrected to 7m - still staggering to think so many are upgrading their radios.