HD radio sales to date and acceptance

Unit sales and installed base of radio:  The installed base of HD digital radios in the car, home, and office increased to almost 1 million at the end of 2008, which is up from about 350,000 at the end of 2007 according to iBiquity. So the growth and acceptance did increase in 2008. 

Radio stations: Almost 1900 radio stations were up and operating in almost 250 markets across the country, and were reaching about 246 million people, or 85 percent of the U.S. population. To put this into perspective, the total number of education and commercial radio in the U.S. is about 13,500.

Product availability: 78 HD Radio products are currently available from over 20 consumer electronics manufacturers. To put this into comparison, reviews of the industry from last year show that only 60 products were available in January 2008 and only 25 in 2006.

In addition to the radio units, in 2008, the number of home audio and after market car audio suppliers offering the new digital radio technology grew by at least nine.

Retail availability: Tremendous growth here. In early 2006, sales were limited to a few specialty outlets, but today HD Radio products, accessories, and items can be purchased in more than 14,000 stores nationwide and also online at many retailers. Best Buy, RadioShack, Crutchfield and Wal-Mart all sell HD radio products.

OEM availability and autos: By the end of calendar 2008, the number of automaker manufacturers offering HD Digital Radio in select automobile models grew to eight, in some cases as a factory-installed option and in others as a dealer-installed option. The brands that currently offer HD radio are BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, Mercedes, Mercury, Mini USA and Volvo. In addition to these cars, in calendar 2009, Toyota’s Scion brand will join Jaguar in offering HD Digital Radio, bringing the number of brands offering HD Radio to 10, iBiquity said. Last, but not least, Audi and Kia have also committed to offering the technology in calendar 2010. Also, Volvo will be first automaker to offer HD Radio as standard equipment in all of their cars, beginning March 2009 in almost all of its models. Jaguar’s XK follows in mid-2009 offering HD radio as a standard option.

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