Sales of digital radios have outstripped the demand for traditional sets for the first time, leading UK high street store Dixons has said.
In total 67% of digital radio shoppers in Dixons were over 40
Figures reveal a surge in demand in its shops in the run-up to Christmas, with the first week in January seeing more digital radios bought than analogue.
In total more radios are currently being sold in Dixons than in 1985.
Around 1.2m digital radios have now been sold in the UK, says trade body the Digital Radio Development Bureau.
It predicts that, with the radios becoming increasingly cheaper, this will have risen to 2.4 million by the end of 2005, and to 8.3 million by 2008.
Consumers spent £87 million on digital sets in 2004, DRDB figures show.
A survey of 1,000 shoppers who bought a digital radio from Dixons in the past three months found 67% were in their 40s.
"This is one of the greatest technology comebacks of all time," said Nick Wood, managing director of Dixons.
"A century after Marconi's invention, the loud and clear message is that radio is still a popular format.
"A large number of older customers are returning to the radio - listeners that appreciate the benefits of technology that offers crystal clear sound."