Rajar’s Q2 2026 figures point to a broadly positive quarter for radio in the United Kingdom, with record weekly reach, higher listening hours and further digital growth. The results have given broadcasters plenty to celebrate across major brands, newer digital services and individual programs. Behind those highlights, the official data depicts a medium that continues to combine mass reach with an expanding range of listening platforms.
According to Rajar’s official Q2 summary, 51.119 million adults listened to radio each week during the period ending June 28. That represents 87% of the population aged 15 and over and marks increases of 491,000 listeners quarter on quarter and 1.124 million year on year. It also gives radio its largest measured weekly audience, surpassing the 51 million recorded in Q3 2024.
Part of the numerical increase reflects Rajar’s annual update to its population estimate, which rose from 58.246 million adults in Q2 2025 to 59.047 million in Q2 2026. However, radio’s unrounded weekly reach also increased from 85.8% to 86.6% over the same period, showing that the record extends beyond population growth alone. Although that percentage remains below some recent peaks, it reinforces radio’s ability to maintain near-universal reach amid intense competition for audiences’ time.
Total weekly listening reached 1.040 billion hours, up 3.3% from Q1 and 1.4% from Q2 2025. The average listener spent 20.3 hours with live radio each week, compared with 19.9 hours in Q1 and 20.5 hours a year earlier. The figures suggest that radio expanded its total scale while maintaining broadly consistent engagement among listeners.
Commercial radio reached 40.193 million people, an increase of 2.4% quarter on quarter and 1.7% year on year. Its listening hours rose 4.7% from Q1 to 572.9 million, while its share increased from 54.3% to 55.1%. The BBC reached 30.934 million listeners and generated 443.2 million weekly hours, with listening time increasing by 1.4% from Q1 and 2.7% year on year.
Broadcasters highlight portfolio growth
The U.K.’s major broadcasters have been upbeat in their coverage of the results.
Global reported 29 million weekly listeners across its radio portfolio, along with 283 million listening hours and a 27.5% share. Heart became the U.K.’s largest radio brand with 12.826 million listeners, placing it ahead of BBC Radio 2’s 12.367 million. The Heart brand figure combines the main network with its extension stations, demonstrating how broadcasters are using complementary digital services to extend established brands.
Global also recorded a new high for LBC, which reached 3.688 million weekly listeners across the brand. Capital attracted 8.864 million listeners across its main service and extensions, while Smooth reached 7.4 million. The results allowed Global to retain the top three commercial radio brands with Heart, Capital and Smooth.
Bauer Media Audio UK reported 22.7 million weekly listeners across its owned and partner stations. Its Hits Radio Portfolio reached 12.2 million listeners excluding partners and 14.3 million when partner stations were included. Greatest Hits Radio’s network reached 6.9 million, while the Absolute Radio Network increased its quarterly audience to 5.4 million.
KISS delivered one of Bauer’s standout performances, with the main station increasing its weekly audience by almost 32% year on year to 1.749 million. The wider KISS Network reached 3.738 million listeners, up 3% over the same period, while KISSTORY retained its position as the largest commercial digital station. The results follow Bauer’s relaunch of KISS with a new identity and refreshed presenter lineup earlier in 2026.
News Broadcasting reported a combined audience of 6.4 million across talkSPORT, Times Radio, Virgin Radio UK, Talk and Northern Ireland station U105. It also retained what it described as the U.K.’s most digital radio portfolio, with digital platforms delivering 86.3% of its listening. Times Radio achieved a record 660,000 listeners and 5.9 million weekly hours, representing year-on-year increases of 7.1% and 21.3%, respectively.
Different totals across the releases and Rajar tables reflect the ways broadcasters organize their portfolios. Some published totals include partner stations, local services or brand extensions, while Rajar also provides measures for owned stations and individual networks. Reporting periods vary too, with BBC national stations and some major commercial services measured quarterly while many commercial groups use six-month figures covering January to June.
The BBC highlighted the continued scale of its live radio portfolio, which reached 30.9 million people and accounted for 42.6% of listening. BBC Radio 2 remained the U.K.’s most listened-to single station with 12.37 million weekly listeners, while its breakfast program reached 6.37 million, up 3% year on year. The broadcaster also pointed to growth across its extension services, with the Radio 1 brand reaching 7.55 million adults and the combined BBC Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra audience increasing 6% quarter on quarter to 5.92 million.
The BBC extended its Q2 assessment beyond live listening measured by Rajar. BBC Sounds generated 831 million plays, up 19% year on year, while BBC audio content recorded 215 million global downloads and 1.22 billion social video views. Although these measures differ from Rajar’s live radio figures, they illustrate how the BBC now evaluates its audio performance across broadcast, on-demand and social platforms.
Digital listening strengthens its position
Digital platforms accounted for 76% of radio listening hours, up from 73% in Q2 2025. DAB remained the largest individual platform with 43% of all listening, followed by AM/FM with 25%, smart speakers with 19%, websites and apps with 12% and digital television with 3%. Online listening through smart speakers, websites and apps collectively accounted for 30% of radio hours.
Digital radio generated 786 million listening hours each week, an increase of 33 million from Q2 2025. DAB contributed 444 million hours, smart speakers delivered 195 million and websites and apps accounted for 120 million. Rajar also found that 45 million adults used at least one digitally enabled radio platform during an average week.
In-car radio remained central to the medium’s reach as distribution continued to diversify. Radio reached 58% of adults in a vehicle each week, while listening in vehicles accounted for 26% of all radio hours. Overall, the Q2 figures present an industry growing its total audience while using broadcast, online and connected platforms to make established content and brands available in more places.
You can view or download the full summary of the Q2 2026 listener figures below.
You can view or download a handy infographic of the figures here.
If you want to compare the figures with Q1 2026, you can find those figures here.
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