Australia - Radio - Digital Radio

Synopsis

While digital radio has the potential to deliver a range of new and innovative services to listeners through the more efficient use of radiocommunications spectrum, the introduction is premised on digital radio being used as a supplement to existing radio services rather than a replacement technology. As such, digital radio will be introduced in stages, and operate alongside existing analogue radio services. Commercial and national (ABC and SBS) broadcasters formally commenced digital radio services in the five mainland state capitals in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney in 2009. It is expected that community broadcasters will commence services in these markets in 2010. Australian commercial radio broadcasters have agreed to adopt the new DAB+ standard for the implementation of digital radio. This report provides an overview of digital radio functionality as well as market analysis and historic information on the development of digital radio in Australia.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
  
• 2. Market overview
  
  • 2.1 Introduction
    
  • 2.2 Features and benefits of digital radio
    
    • 2.2.1 Reception quality
      
    • 2.2.2 Text, images and data
      
    • 2.2.3 Visual Radio
      
    • 2.2.4 Music downloading
      
    • 2.2.5 Greater programming capacity
      
    • 2.2.6 Traffic information
      
    • 2.2.7 Advertising
      
    • 2.2.8 Pay radio
      
    • 2.2.9 Internet radio
      
• 3. Market analysis
  
  • 3.1 Can digital compete with new technologies?
    
  • 3.2 Digital radio is arriving – but what to do next?
    
  • 3.3 Digital radio cost could be prohibitive
    
  • 3.4 Regulatory developments
    
  • 3.5 Agreement on new DAB standard
    
• 4. Related reports
  

• Exhibit 1 – Timeline of music on the Internet