Consumers have responded positively to the five new national digital radio stations launched in the last 12 months and the BBC’s rebranding of Radio 4 Extra, with cumulative digital radio sales hitting 13 million at the end of June.

During April and May when Radio 4 Extra and Jazz FM were launched on the digital platform, listeners contacted broadcasters and radio makers asking how they could access the new services, said Digital Radio UK.

“The growth of digital radio is irresistible and will create long-lasting benefits for both consumers and the radio industry,” said Digital Radio UK chief executive Ford Ennals at yesterday’s Intellect Consumer Electronics Conference.

Speaking during the panel session on digital radio, he said: “People are becoming aware of these great new digital radio stations and finding new favourites."

Another panellist, Leslie Burrage, chief executive of Roberts Radio, said: “Roberts Radio has always maintained that original ‘content, content, content’ would drive consumer off-take of DAB radios.

“What better proof than the recent BBC’s extensive on-air launch of Radio 4 Extra – our customer helpline was inundated with ‘how can I receive this new Radio 4 Extra station, it sounds just what I want?’”

Mr Burrage added: “Our consumer DAB off-take rose by over 20 per cent during the period of the BBC campaign - and has continued to activate additional sales for Roberts’s independent dealers ever since.”

At Jazz FM, which extended its coverage nationally on the digital platform in March, chief executive Richard Wheatly said: “The audience response to the return of Jazz FM to the airwaves has been fantastic.”

Pure director marketing Colin Crawford said: “As the pioneer of digital radio in the UK and beyond, we are proud to have designed and manufactured over a quarter of the 13 million digital radios sold to date in the UK.

“We welcome the recent introduction of new digital stations like Jazz FM and Radio 4 Extra, as additional choice is one of the major consumer benefits of digital radio, along with improved sound quality, additional features and ease of use.”

Tim Davie, director of BBC audio and music, added: “Our digital-only stations offer exclusive content and give listeners more choice. We hope that the re-branding of Radio 7 as Radio 4 Extra will lead to a greater awareness - and appreciation - of the range of high quality programmes available via digital radio."

Michael Hill, who is managing director of Radioplayer revealed: “Early indications are that nearly six million people are using Radioplayer every month, and the consistent interface is encouraging them to stay with radio for longer.”