Digital radio is starting to get greater traction with sales in digital radio devices outperforming expectations, according to the latest statistics from Commercial Radio Australia (CRA).

In the five years since the launch of DAB+ digital radio in metropolitan Australia, around 1.7 million digital radio devices have been sold and PwC have forecast digital radio household penetration to reach 23.3%.

Currently 2.8 million people or 21.4% are listening to DAB+ digital radio each week in the five state capital cities. Significantly nearly 1.2 million more people listen to DAB+ digital radio than radio on the Internet.

The benefits of digital radio include high quality sound and new digital-only stations such as NovaNation, Koffee, Stardust Radio, Buddha, Classic Hits Plus, Mix 80’s, The Edge, Gorilla Dance Hits, Loveland, The Buckle, Hot Country, Zoo Music Variety, Mix ‘80s, Mix ‘90s, MyMP, SkySports Radio and others. There are also so-called pop-up stations, which are created for an event or a featured artist.

The Australian obsession with sport has swiftly translated into a boom time for online betting with digital wagering company Sportsbet emerging as the fastest growing online bookmaker the country. Based on total bets placed in 2013, Sportsbet has come up in front of competitors Tabcorp and Tatts Group and other digital only sites like Bet365 and Betfair.

"Our Australian business is hotter than centre court at an Aussie Open," Sportsbet has said of its performance.

With around 500 staff, the fast growing operation has implemented the most adept IPTV systems to amplify the business and streamline access to data, which is at the heart of optimum betting. As Sportsbet is democratic in its opportunity to bet on anything from the Melbourne Cup winner to the next James Bond or who will win Big Brother, access to the primary resource of TV is essential.

In the digital age consumers, businesses and healthcare providers are demanding innovative services, with IP networks as the conduit. In Australia, the National Broadband Network (NBN) is providing a platform for radical advances in science and healthcare that have direct effect on consumers.

A mere two years ago, discussions around the concept of 4K and Ultra HD was couched as a futuristic possibility. Now at the world’s largest gathering of broadcasters and content producers, MipTV, 4K is treated as variously a threat, opportunity and evolution for the industry at large.