The BBC has announced plans to expand its DAB digital radio coverage to 97% of the UK population by 2015. Coverage currently stands at approximately 90%. The rollout will focus on providing “solid coverage” in the largest 25 cities and across the motorway and trunk road network, said Tim Davie, the BBC’s director of audio and music, speaking at a Drive to Digital conference attended by SBD.

“18% of new cars sold in the UK are now fitted with DAB receivers,” said Ed Vaizey, the UK Minister for Culture and Communications, at the in-car DAB event jointly organised by Digital Radio UK and SMMT, the UK vehicle manufacturer trade group. Vaizey confirmed that the UK government will make a decision in 2013 on switch-off of analogue radio, but noted that the discussed 2015 switch-off date is only a target. “Switch-off of analogue radio will not happen until at least 50% of listening is on DAB,” he noted.

Nearly one in five new cars being fitted with digital radios is a significant increase on the 5% fitment rate a year ago. However, less than 2% of the total UK vehicle Parc has DAB receivers and the 2015 date for analogue radio switch-off of is doubtful as the 50% listenership requirement is unlikely to be achieved.

The SMMT data shows a dramatic recent increase in DAB radio fitment in new cars:

Approximately 45% of car models offered in the UK have DAB as an option or standard, said Paul Everitt, CEO of the SMMT. The SMMT aims to ensure that all new cars sold in the UK will be fitted with digital radio receivers from the end of 2013.

Much discussion at the Drive to Digital event focused on the fate of FM radio-based traffic information services such as RDS TMC when analogue radio is switched off. There is no agreed position within the industry and this is a significant potential headache for vehicle manufacturers who rely on TMC traffic information feeds for their navigation systems.

Further assessment of the trends for digital radio across Europe is included in SBD’s new report The future of Broadcast and Internet radio in car. To purchase this report contact Alessio at ABallatore@sbd.co.uk. For an update on recent developments in the legislative situation for in-car DAB in Germany and France, visit SBD’s current blog here.