John Laws today opens a new digital radio display at the Domayne store in Sydney’s Alexandria next week. The new display is the next stage in publicising digital radio to consumers.

The star attraction of the display is the ‘Bug’ – the first radio in the world which lets users pause, rewind and record live radio. The striking looking Bug has just been launched in the UK by PURE Digital and this is the first time it goes on show in Australia.

Listeners, who get interrupted by a phone call while listening to their favourite program, can simply pause and restart later, or hit rewind to play song or phone number again. Like all digital radios, the Bug offers crystal clear sound as well as a high resolution screen with scrolling text.

The digital radio centre is an initiative of the commercial radio industry, which has been lobbying the Federal Government to put in place a framework for the introduction of digital broadcasting.

2UE is one of 12 Sydney stations simulcasting in digital, as part of a consumer trial, with Triple M and the new FM station being set up by DMG Radio also set to join the trial.

Laws will open the digital radio centre at 8.30 this morning, as part of a day long outside broadcast from the store planned by 2UE.

Receivers on display include a range of the top selling brands from around the world including the latest home, portable and in car digital radios, including boom boxes, pocket radios and PC cards by PURE Digital, Goodmans, Sangean, Blaupunkt, Bush, Morphy Richards and Ministry of Sound.

The display will be at Domayne for the next three months, before moving to different retail locations over the next 12 months.

Visitors to the display will be able to experience the new technology and go in the running to win great prizes including a digital radio and a holiday for two to Egypt and Singapore flying business class, thanks to Gulf Air, Adventure World, Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Mr Travel Derek Taylor.