The U.K.’s Rajar figures for the final quarter of 2021 are out. They suggest the “death of radio” won’t be any time soon. The figures show that 89% of the United Kingdom’s adult (15+) population — 49.5 million — tuned in to their selected radio stations each week. The average listener tuned in to 20.3 hours of live radio per week.
Among the more interesting findings is how they “tune in.” Forty million adults use a digitally enabled platform — DAB, DTV, smartphone, online or app; 67% of the population own or have access to a DAB radio. DAB/digital radio now commands 42% of weekly listening, while 35.6% is still via a traditional FM/AM radio set, up slightly from the previous quarter.
There has been an increase in smartphone or tablet radio listening since Q3 2021 over most age groups, with the most significant jump in those aged 15–24.
As for voice-activated speakers, there’s something of a watershed in terms of ownership. Now, just over half of speaker users claim to use theirs to listen to radio weekly; 21% do so daily.
You can find some basic Q4 2021 listening figures for your favourite U.K. radio station here.