Car radio remains more popular than ever – thanks in part to DAB
Good manners
Blaupunkt Bremen SQR46 DAB
© press-inform – the press office
For some time now, new vehicles equipped with a car radio have also had to be equipped with a digital DAB radio receiver. Despite all the smartphones and interfaces in the vehicle, the radio in the car remains the most popular entertainment medium.
According to a study by the Edison research institute, radio continues to be the most popular source of audio consumption in cars worldwide. Of the 1,023 respondents in Germany, almost all (91 percent) said that terrestrial radio should be standard equipment in every car. Even more surprising: this trend runs through all age groups. The survey also shows that a factory-installed radio has a major influence on consumers’ purchasing decisions: 81 percent of potential car buyers in Germany stated that they would rarely buy or lease a vehicle without a built-in radio.
A car radio as standard equipment is most important to the respondents. Existing USB ports and the availability of Bluetooth rank behind with 83 and 82 percent respectively. Smartphone interfaces were rated as important by only 58 percent (Android Auto) and 48 percent (Apple CarPlay). Drivers in Germany listen to the radio significantly more than any other audio source: 45 percent of those surveyed stated that they often listen to the radio in their cars. 20 percent use online music streaming services, 13 percent listen to CDs. According to the intensity of use, a clear majority (77 percent) agreed with the statement “Radio offers a better listening experience in the car than other types of audio sources”. 75 percent of respondents said they wanted to receive news and information as the main reason for listening to the radio, followed by the ability to hear their favorite songs (41 percent).
A clear majority do not want to pay for listening to the radio. 86 percent said it is important that the radio can continue to be heard for free – as is currently the case on analog and digital radio tuners. The importance of free and free radio reception compared to paid online offers is also clear elsewhere in the survey: a vast majority (73 percent) say they are concerned about the non-transparent costs of data streams. Radio is completely free of charge, but not many drivers pay for it like domestic entertainment with their state radio license fee.
When asked which aspect of the added value functions of modern car radios is most important to them, 55 percent of German drivers answered: “Providing additional information on content”. At this point, 54 percent said they could “search for radio stations using voice control”. The car is still the most popular place to listen to the radio – 83 percent of those surveyed said this, followed by 78 percent at home and 45 percent at work. 93 percent of car buyers said they had heard at least once in the past week; 84 percent switch on every day.