The MIDAS Audio Survey for Autumn 2025 from Rajar — the official body in charge of measuring radio audiences in the U.K. — offers a detailed picture of how audio fits into everyday life in the U.K., and the results suggest a medium that is not only resilient but increasingly embedded in daily routines. MIDAS — Measuring Internet and Digital Audio Services — is Rajar’s in-depth study of non-visual audio consumption, covering live and catch-up radio, on-demand music, podcasts, owned music and audiobooks. It is designed to complement Rajar’s quarterly radio audience data by focusing on how, when and where people listen.
The latest survey shows that weekly audio listening reaches 55 million adults, representing 95% of the U.K. population aged 15 and over. Listeners spend an average of 29.3 hours per week with audio, resulting in more than 1.6 billion hours of listening each week. Rajar says this total has increased by 10% since Autumn 2023, indicating that audio consumption is growing in absolute terms, even as listening spreads across platforms and devices.
Live radio still dominates time spent
While on-demand services and podcasts continue to grow in reach, Rajar’s data shows that live radio remains the dominant audio format in terms of time spent, accounting for 63% of all audio listening hours. This contrasts with reach figures, where on-demand music and podcasts perform strongly, particularly among younger listeners.
According to Rajar, live radio’s strength lies in habitual, long-duration listening tied to everyday activity. Much of this listening takes place while people are driving or travelling, relaxing, working or studying, with 40% of listening shared with others. Rajar also reports that 62% of live radio listening hours are consumed via traditional FM or DAB radio sets, underlining the continued importance of broadcast distribution alongside IP delivery.
MIDAS Autumn 2025 also highlights the continued rise of connected audio, defined by Rajar as audio accessed via an internet-connected device. This includes podcasts, audiobooks, on-demand music, catch-up radio and live radio streamed via smartphones, computers, smart speakers and other connected platforms.
Rajar says connected audio now reaches 72% of the population on average each week, with listeners spending around 20 hours per week using these services. The steady growth of connected listening reinforces the shift toward hybrid broadcast and IP delivery as a standard listening environment.
Podcasts grow, but remain complementary
Podcasts continue to expand their footprint, reaching 24% of the U.K. population each week, according to Rajar. Weekly podcast listening totals 127 million hours, with listeners spending an average of nine hours per week engaging with podcast content. Rajar notes that podcast listeners are highly engaged, with 88% saying they listen to all or most of each episode.
At the same time, the data shows clear behavioral limits. Podcast listening is predominantly solitary: 76% of listening hours are done alone, and podcasts account for 8% of total audio listening time, compared with live radio’s 63%. Rajar’s figures position podcasting as a complement to broadcast radio rather than a replacement for it.
MIDAS also examines the reasons people choose different audio formats. Rajar’s findings show that live radio plays a leading role in helping listeners feel informed, stay connected and lift or maintain mood. On-demand music is most closely associated with flexible, anytime listening, while podcasts support deeper engagement and longer listening sessions, particularly among younger demographics.
These patterns reinforce audio’s role as a companion medium that fits around daily life rather than competing for visual attention.
What this means for the U.K.’s broadcasters
Taken together, Rajar’s MIDAS Autumn 2025 results suggest that audio’s growth is being driven by context and accessibility rather than competition between formats. Live radio continues to anchor listening time, while connected and on-demand formats expand reach and choice.
For broadcasters and technology providers, the data points toward the importance of hybrid delivery strategies combining FM, DAB and IP, alongside strong metadata and platform integration. The survey also reinforces live radio’s value as a time-rich medium, even as listening habits continue to evolve.
Header image: Freepik
These stories might interest you
RadioWeek 2026 examines data, trust and AI in five focused sessions
RedTech Magazine November/December 2025 says push the buttons