According to a recent press release from the 6th of September 2021, the number of digital DAB+ receivers in Germany has reached a record 21.7 million receivers. This is approximately 5 million more radios than before and corresponds to a growth of 30 percent.
"More than every fourth household (27 percent) now receives DAB +. That is over 1.1 million more than in the previous year. This means that the number of households in which DAB + can be received is well over 11 million for the first time.
The number of VHF radios continues to decrease. Aided by the digital radio obligation, among other things, the FM share in car radios is falling significantly, reaching a new low of 78.8 percent. Around every fifth car radio is now equipped with DAB + reception."
While the 30% growth sounds impressive, one of the key facts in the press release is that just 20% of cars has DAB+. This is one of the key sectors for radio and it would seem that a switch off of the FM radio network is unlikely until that figure is much higher.
Press release below...
DAB + digital radio with growth spurt: Plus 30 percent / 5 million more devices in households / digitization report by media companies 2021"
More and more people in Germany are choosing digital DAB + radio. As the digitalization report of the media companies 2021 clearly shows, the equipment of households (at home and in the car) has reached a new record with 21.7 million DAB + receivers. The approximately 5 million more radios correspond to a relative annual growth of 30 percent. More than every fourth household (27 percent) now receives DAB +. That is over 1.1 million more than in the previous year. This means that the number of households in which DAB + can be received is well over 11 million for the first time.
The number of VHF radios continues to decrease. Aided by the digital radio obligation, among other things, the FM share in car radios is falling significantly, reaching a new low of 78.8 percent. Around every fifth car radio is now equipped with DAB + reception.
DAB + reception is increasing in all federal states
At the federal state level, Bavaria (34.8 percent) and Saxony-Anhalt (34 percent) have by far the highest proportion of households with DAB +; Baden-Württemberg (29.5 percent) and Saxony (30.2 percent) are also above the national average. Baden-Württemberg recorded the greatest growth compared to the previous year. The relative growth compared to 2020 is 22 percent here.
In absolute numbers, the populous states of North Rhine-Westphalia (2.1 million) and Bavaria (2.2 million) are ahead with more than two million DAB + households each, followed by Baden-Württemberg with over 1.5 million DAB + reception households.
In most federal states, DAB + is the second most common type of radio reception after FM.
The total digitization quota grows to around 66 percent
The average number of DAB + radios in households increases from 1.7 to 2. Together with the satellite and cable reception channels, the total digitization rate increases to around 66 percent. If there is no analogue reception option, two thirds of Germans could already listen to digital radio today.
In relation to the use of the different radio transmission channels, this growth is particularly spurred on by DAB + (relative growth compared to the previous year plus 20 percent) and web radio (relative growth compared to the previous year plus 9 percent).
So-called hybrid radios that receive DAB + and IP continue to play a subordinate role due to their low growth (2020: 2.4 percent) and with a current market share of just 3.3 percent in households. Despite a slight increase to 8 percent (2020: 6 percent), smart speakers also have hardly any influence on the progress of digitization.
More devices, more programs, more use
The steadily growing popularity of DAB + is reflected in an ever-increasing variety of offers. After the start of broadcasting of the second national DAB + program ensemble in October 2020 as well as numerous regional and local connections, the variety of offers has grown to over 270 regionally different radio programs. More than 70 are exclusive DAB + programs that are only available digitally terrestrially.
According to the ma 2021 Audio study, the DAB + distribution channel recorded further increases in the measurement of the “widest audience”: 20.4 percent (ma 2020 Audio II: 17.4 percent) of those aged 14 and over are listened to via DAB +. DAB + is used disproportionately in the target group of 30 to 59 year olds in particular (WHK: 22.7 percent - ma 2020 Audio II: 20.0 percent).
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Via DAB +:DAB + digital radio is today's free-to-air radio standard, which puts an end to the shortage of analog frequencies. DAB + follows VHF and combines classic radio reception with the variety of digital programs at no internet costs. All public radio stations and an increasing number of private radio stations broadcast programs via DAB +, with the number of offers that are only available via DAB + growing steadily. Following a resolution by the federal and state governments, the range of devices was switched to digital radio from December 21, 2020. This applies to new vehicles and commercially available radios. The law can protect consumers from wrong purchase decisions and promote market penetration with DAB + devices. All DAB + radios have FM included.
About us:The Digitalradio Büro Deutschland, based in Berlin, is a joint initiative of the Digitalradio Deutschland association, i.e. ARD, Deutschlandradio, private radio broadcasters, device manufacturers and network operators who have set themselves the goal of establishing DAB + digital radio in Germany. The digital radio office informs the public about the possibilities and the introduction of DAB + in Germany. Access to Digitalradio Deutschland eV is open to all market participants who are committed to DAB +. Further information on DAB + and the new DAB + Store at dabplus.de.
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