Rajar has released the latest United Kingdom radio audience figures for the third quarter of 2024. They show a slight growth in the total audience: 88.3% of the adult population (15+ years old) tune in to the radio weekly, compared to 88.2% in the last quarter—significantly, 78% access radio through a digital device.
The BBC’s national stations’ fortunes in the latest figures were mixed. Classical station Radio 3 increased, and, significantly, youth pop stations Radio 1 and digital-only Radio 1 Extra grew. However, the total audience for AC station Radio 2 and digital-only alternative station Radio 6 dipped. Also notable was the increase in digital downloads on the BBC’s proprietary digital audio platform, BBC Sounds.
Charlotte Moore, BBC chief content officer, said, “I’m delighted to see the strength of the audio landscape with a record number of people listening to radio and podcasts across the U.K.”
More growth for Global
The nation’s two biggest commercial broadcasters — Global and Bauer Media Audio UK — boasted steady increases across the board. Global reported its fifth consecutive quarter of growth, outpacing the commercial radio market. The media group delivered its highest RAJAR figures, with 29.2 million people tuning in each week — the first time it has surpassed the 29 million listener mark — and achieved its best-ever share of radio listening at 26.9%. Heart, the group’s flagship national brand, strengthened its position as the top commercial radio brand, growing 14% year-on-year to 9.79 million listeners.
Global’s Capital Network grew 22.7% year-on-year to 7.5 million listeners, up 7.3% from the previous quarter. Notably, Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Siân Welby added 151,000 listeners in the last quarter; Capital Dance now attracts 1.02 million weekly listeners — up 4.1% year-on-year — and Capital Xtra rose 16.7% year-on-year to 1.75 million listeners.
Radio X increased nearly 10% year-on-year to 2.17 million listeners, with The Chris Moyles Show stable at 1.12 million at breakfast.
Ashley Tabor-King Cbe, founder and executive president of Global, said, “Radio is thriving, and Global is outperforming the market, as we keep a laser focus on our content while also embracing technology at the core of our strategy, as people use smart speakers and apps, as well as traditional means, to get to the content they love, wherever and whenever they want it.”
Mixed bag for Bauer
Bauer Media Audio UK now attracts 23.5 million weekly listeners across its national brands. The Hits Radio Network secured its largest-ever audience, reaching 7.2 million weekly listeners, up 10.7% year-on-year. Greatest Hits Radio continues to grow, climbing to 7.4 million weekly listeners, up 12.9% year-on-year. Simon Mayo leads the biggest commercial drivetime show, while Ken Bruce hosts the most listened-to show on commercial radio, with over four million weekly listeners.
Like the BBC, elsewhere within the group, fortunes were mixed. While the Absolute Radio Network achieved its highest-ever reach with 5.7 million listeners, up 3.7% year-on-year, and Absolute Radio Country reached a record 541,000 weekly listeners, up 25.8%, the anchor Absolute station saw a 16.9% drop year-on-year, falling below two million to 1.97 million listeners.
KISS had a particularly challenging quarter, with year-on-year declines across its main station, down 35.9% to 1.67 million. Its brand extensions didn’t fare much better: KISS Fresh was down 34.9% to 188,000, and Kisstory was down 9% to 2.34 million.
Simon Myciunka, CEO for Bauer Media Audio UK, said, “All our teams at Bauer Media Audio UK are incredibly proud to be part of an industry that is thriving, and today’s results speak volumes about the strong connections our brands have with listeners.”
You can see an infographic snapshot of the Rajar figures for Q3 2024 here.
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