Toumaz Ld : Digital radio increases to a third of all UK radio listening

Last trade (pence): 5.97

Time: 11:03am

Date: 7th Feb 2013

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Toumaz Limited (AIM: TMZ, 'Toumaz' or 'the Group'), a pioneer in low cost, ultra-low power wireless communications technology, announces that according to the RAJAR1 radio listening figures for Q4 2012, digital radio now accounts for 33% of all radio listening in the UK - up from 29% in Q4 2011. This growth is a significant boost to Frontier Silicon, the Toumaz division which provides chips and modules for 80% of DAB consumer radios2. 

This growth in listening is driven by increasing penetration of digital radio into the UK market, with 74% of all portable radios sold being digital and 33% of new cars now coming with digital radio as standard (source: GfK, Q4 2012 and CAP/SMMT). The UK Government has also committed to announce a decision on a radio switchover later this year.

Whilst the UK remains the largest market for the Group, strong sales growth is also coming from international territories.  In particular, sales from Germany are beginning to scale following the market's adoption of DAB+ in August 2011.  Norway and Denmark have both set target dates for digital switchover in 2017 and 2019 respectively and, during 2012, Australia and Switzerland both passed the milestone of one million cumulative sales of digital radios.

Anthony Sethill, Chief Executive, commented: 

"These latest figures from RAJAR confirm the expansion of the UK digital radio market ahead of our expectations.  With our current 80% market share of digital radio chips and modules, and wide ranging customer base, we are well positioned to take advantage of this continued growth and the opportunities we are seeing in the international digital radio market." 

Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, said:

"I am delighted with these results. Digital radio continues to transform the way people listen to the radio and one third of all listening to digital platforms represents an important milestone. With a third of all new cars now having digital radio as standard, improvements to national and local DAB coverage (the former already in excess of 90% of the population) and the positive impact of the D Love industry advertising campaign, we are making good progress in the lead-up to a Government decision  later this year."

[1] RAJAR is a cross-industry body which provides audience measurement for the UK radio industry serving both the BBC and licensed commercial stations

2 Company estimate - share of DAB / DAB+ consumer radios

Enquiries:

About Toumaz (www.toumazltd.com)

Toumaz is a pioneer in low cost, ultra-low power wireless technologies for a wide range of markets including medical monitoring and internet connected consumer devices.  The recent acquisition of Frontier Silicon brings operational scale and expertise together with a leadership position in digital and networked audio markets.

About Digital Radio UK

Digital Radio UK is the cross-industry body responsible for promoting the uptake of digital radio in the UK.  Its members include the BBC, leading commercial broadcasters, Arqiva, Intellect (industry body for UK technology companies) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).