The number of consumers switching from analog to digital radios is expected to gain momentum worldwide, driving unit shipments to nearly 25 million in 2010, a market research firm says.

That number compares with 5 million digital radio receivers shipped last year, In-Stat said. The major factors behind the expected increase in demand will be falling prices, more and better programming, significant boosts in advertising and promotions, and better features in digital receivers. Digital radio proponents say reception is superior to conventional broadcasting and enables a variety of "data services," including text-based information, such as artist name, song title, weather alerts, school closings, etc., scrolled across a receiver's display.

A recent market study by In-Stat also found that 73% of U.S. respondents to a consumer survey were aware of high-definition radio on some level. In Europe, primarily the United Kingdom, digital audio broadcasting is the pervasive form of radio, with digital receiver shipments expected to outpace analog shipments this year.