Radio is very much alive, with the highest audience ever recorded
Radio is reaching the biggest audience ever, according to the first official audience data since the pandemic, provided by RAJAR, the body responsible for measuring radio audiences.
While the latest figures have been calculated using a modified survey methodology, they also show that the total combined audience for all UK radio (BBC and commercial) is now the highest level recorded at 49.5m people.
The survey also found that time spent listening at home has more than made up for shifts in listening at work and in car, with average listening hours remaining high at 20.4 hours per week.
Digital and online now represents an even more significant proportion of overall radio listening. Total digital listening is now 65.8 per cent for all radio. This is mainly accounted for by DAB at 43 per cent, but online (including smart speakers) now represents 18.1 per cent of all listening time.
The remaining 4.7 per cent of digital listening takes place on digital TVs. Analogue platforms of FM/ AM still account for 34.2 per cent of listening time.
Ian Moss, Chief Executive of Radiocentre, said: “The official data demonstrates that the popularity and power of commercial radio is stronger than it has ever been. As listening habits shift and evolve commercial radio is offering more of what people want. The mix of entertainment, information, trust, comfort and fun means that in a world of infinite listening choices people keep choosing radio.”
Heart Radio celebrates biggest ever audience, over 10m, as the UK’s top commercial radio brand, adding 662,000 new listeners. Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden have the UK’s biggest commercial breakfast show and the biggest show on commercial radio in the UK.
LBC continues to lead Britain’s conversation with an all-time record high of 3m listeners tuning in each week. Hours and share are also the highest in its 48-year history.
Radio X celebrates an all-time high, adding a massive 289,000 new listeners to reach 1.9m people and growing in reach, hours and share – its largest ever audience. The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X also hits an all-time high of 1.1m listeners for the first time, leapfrogging Virgin Radio at Breakfast. At drive, Johnny Vaughan also smashes a new record with 854,000 listeners
Dee Ford CBE, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Audio UK said “What an amazing performance for radio in the UK! Never has it been more evident that radio has a special place in the hearts of listeners, and this shows what a resilient and adaptable medium it is.”