Up close: United Kingdom’s radio market

How large is your radio market both in terms of number of radio stations (public and private) and overall advertising revenue (in USD)?

There are 333 analog (FM/AM/MW) public and private radio stations and 574 on DAB. There are also more than 300 analog community radio stations.

Is your radio market growing in terms of new players in radio or audio starting up?

Yes. Boom, Podcast Radio

Has your radio audience grown over the COVID pandemic, and how does it look now?

RAJAR fieldwork was suspended during 2020/early 2021 because of COVID. Still, streaming data from the radio groups suggest that more people were tuning in for longer via connected devices.

Radiocentre’s ongoing series of audience studies across the different lockdowns revealed that people working from home were tuning into radio for longer to keep them informed/keep them company. See surveys here.

How has radio advertising revenue performed over the same period?

Revenues have declined but are gaining momentum as restrictions lift and we get closer to the release of the new currency data.

How has radio advertising revenue performed over the same period?

From Q2 2021, we see revenue returning to growth compared to the corresponding period in 2019.

How advanced is your market in terms of the transition of FM radio operators into audio streaming, audio on demand and digital radio such as DAB or DRM?

Listening reached 50% on digital in May 2018, which triggered a government review about the future of radio. The Digital Radio and Audio Review (www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-radio-and-audio-review) was published in autumn and includes a series of recommendations for Government and industry.

What regulatory body oversees radio in your country?

Ofcom
www.ofcom.org.uk

Are there other noteworthy radio industry organizations in your country? If so, who are they?

The Radio Academy
www.radioacademy.org

Source:
RadioCentre