Canadian radio captures five times the listening time of ad-supported Spotify
Bauer Media Audio UK says KISS grew its weekly audience by 29% year-over-year to 1.7 million listeners, citing the latest RAJAR figures for June 29 to Sept. 20, 2026. Bauer also reported 29% year-over-year growth for “KISS Breakfast,” hosted by Tyler West and Chloe Burrows.
The wider KISS Network now reaches 3.9 million listeners each week, up 12% year over year, Bauer said. It reported 1.9 million listeners for KISSTORY and 301,000 for KISS XTRA, up 4.2%. The broadcaster also reported growth for KISS across social platforms, with views up 35% year over year. It said YouTube views doubled and Instagram views increased 78%.
The company cited gains across other stations in its portfolio, including record audiences for Hits Radio 90s and Hits Radio 00s, up 31% and 33% year over year, respectively, while Greatest Hits Radio 80s reached a record 644,000 listeners, up 12.6%, while Absolute Radio 00s reached a record 582,000, up 22%.
Across its owned and partner stations, Bauer reported a combined weekly audience of 22.9 million — the Hits Radio Portfolio reaches 12.2 million listeners, or 14.5 million with partner stations — and that Ken Bruce’s show on Greatest Hits Radio remains the U.K.’s most listened-to commercial radio show.
Simon Myciunka, Bauer Media’s president of audio and CEO for Bauer Media Audio UK, said, “Radio has reached a new record audience this quarter, and commercial radio continues to lead the way, accounting for more than half of all listening. At a time when human connection is more important than ever, almost two in five people listen to our stations every week. Our brands are part of the nation’s daily lives, from the school run to winding down at night. That connection is exactly why advertisers keep coming back to audio.”
Gary Stein, director of audio at Bauer Media Audio UK, said, “It’s been a great quarter across the portfolio. KISS has had a brilliant year since its relaunch, and Tyler and Chloe have made Breakfast fun, unpredictable and genuinely part of their listeners’ mornings. It’s also great to see so many of our other brands growing, from the Hits Radio, Absolute Radio and Magic Radio Networks to Planet Rock. That’s down to talented presenters and teams who know their audiences inside out, so a big thank you to everyone on air and behind the scenes.”
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