Rajar shows further shift to digital

Radio Joint Audience Research has released the United Kingdom’s radio audience figures for the first quarter of 2023. Rajar is the official body in charge of measuring radio audiences in the U.K.. It is jointly owned by the BBC and the Radiocentre on behalf of the commercial sector. The figures show a slight dip in overall listenership since Q4 2022 – 49.4 million adults tuned in to their selected stations each week, compared to 49.7 million in the previous quarter.

Notable points include a further shift of listenership from terrestrial to digital. AM/FM radio now only secures 32% of overall listenership, down 1% compared to Q4 2022. Of the more than 67% listening to digital, most listen via DAB. In an average week, 59% of digital listeners use DAB, 21% a smart speaker (slightly up on Q4 2022), 15% online or mobile apps and 5% via DTV.

The figures show little change in where people listen. Radio still reaches most listeners — 63% — at home, 59% in a vehicle and 19% at work or elsewhere.

You can see a more detailed snapshot of the Q1 2023 figures here.