Digital radio reports
In July 2010 the Government launched its Digital Radio Action Plan. As part of this, it was requested that Ofcom produce an annual review of the digital radio market.
The Action Plan was launched to ensure that if and when digital switchover occurs in radio, it can be delivered at a time when the market is ready and in a way that protects the needs of listeners.
The Government stated that a decision on whether to set a date for digital radio switchover would be considered when the following criteria are met:
- when 50% of all radio listening is via digital platforms; and
- when national DAB coverage is comparable to FM, and local DAB reaches 90% of the population and all major roads.
The Action Plan was finalised in November 2013, and on 16 December 2013 DCMS announced that while there had been steady growth in digital listening, it was not yet the time to commit to a switchover. The last version of the Digital Radio Action Plan was published in January 2014.
In these reports 'digital radio' is used in its broadest sense to include all platforms and technologies that allow listeners to access digital radio services.
This report is Ofcom’s eighth annual publication on the progress of digital radio in the UK. It is intended to provide an update on the availability, take-up, listening patterns, and attitudes towards digital radio, as originally requested by Government in 2010 as part of its Digital Radio Action Plan.
This report primarily uses data from RAJAR and Ofcom’s own consumer research; it serves as a reference tool for industry, stakeholders and consumers. We have published the data in an interactive tool.
The Communications Market: Digital Radio Report 2017 (PDF, 173.1 KB)
Y Farchnad Gyfathrebu: Adroddiad ar Radio Digidol 2017 (PDF, 151.5 KB)
This report is Ofcom’s seventh annual publication on the progress of digital radio in the UK. It is intended to provide an update on the availability, take-up, listening patterns, and attitudes towards digital radio, as originally requested by Government in 2010 as part of its Digital Radio Action Plan.
This report primarily uses data from RAJAR and Ofcom’s own consumer research; it serves as a reference tool for industry, stakeholders and consumers.
The Communications Market: Digital Radio Report 2016 (PDF, 1.3 MB)
This report is Ofcom's sixth annual publication on the progress of digital radio in the UK. It is intended to provide an update on the availability, take-up, listening patterns, and attitudes towards digital radio, as requested by Government in 2010 as part of the Digital Radio Action Plan. This report primarily uses data from RAJAR and Ofcom's own consumer research; it serves as a reference tool for industry, stakeholders and consumers.
The Communications Market: Digital Radio Report 2015 (PDF, 732.8 KB)
This is Ofcom's fifth Digital Radio Report and it serves as an update to the data points in the previous reports that were produced as part of the Action Plan. Section 2 looks at availability and coverage, Sections 3 and 4 outline current take-up and listening patterns, and Section 5 draws on Ofcom's consumer research to cover attitudes of, and awareness towards, digital radio.
The Communications Market: Digital Radio Report 2014 (PDF, 975.1 KB)