Rajar Q1 2024 underscores shifts in U.K. radio

In the first quarter of 2024, commercial radio in the U.K. has continued its upward trajectory, achieving record audience numbers, as revealed by the latest Rajar results. The sector reached an unprecedented 39.7 million weekly listeners, surpassing the previous high of 39.3 million from Q3 2023. This surge is attributed to three-quarters of commercial stations experiencing growth in their reach, marking a stark contrast to the BBC, where over half of its stations witnessed a decline in listeners.

Commercial radio’s listening share climbed to 54.2%, up from previous quarters, while the BBC’s share decreased to 43.4%. This shift highlights the growing importance of digital and smart speaker listening — a cornerstone of commercial radio — which has become a significant component of radio consumption. Digital platforms now account for 67.9% of all radio listening, with smart speakers alone representing nearly 10%. This rise in digital and smart speaker listening underscores the importance of the upcoming Media Bill, aimed at protecting U.K. radio.

Within commercial radio, Bauer’s and Global‘s brands continued to dominate. Bauer’s diverse array of owned and partnered stations attracted a record 24 million weekly listeners, reflecting a 6.9% increase compared to the previous year. Its Greatest Hits national brand is a big winner, experiencing a remarkable 50.3% year-on-year growth, reaching 7.7 million weekly listeners.

Global achieved a record-breaking 25.8 million weekly listeners and 242 million listening hours. Heart’s breakfast show, hosted by Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden, remains the most popular commercial radio show in the U.K., and Heart, Capital, and Smooth are the top three commercial stations.

A historic peak

Overall, the U.K. radio audience hit a historic peak, with 49.9 million adults tuning in weekly, representing 88.6% of the adult population. This increase in listenership is reflected in the distribution of listening habits: 62% of radio consumption occurred at home, 58% in vehicles, and 19% at work or other locations.

BBC Radio’s overall performance showed mixed results. BBC Radio 4’s audience fell by 11% year-on-year to 9.4 million, while BBC Radio 2 maintained its leading position with 14.46 million listeners. Notably, BBC Sounds, the corporation’s on-demand service, achieved record usage, with 4.6 million weekly listeners and 436 million plays of its content, and BBC Radio 6 Music, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary with record ratings, drew 2.85 million listeners, the highest since the new Rajar methodology began. The station’s eclectic mix and specialist DJs seem to have played a crucial role in its success, demonstrating the enduring appeal of unique and diverse content.

You can see a snapshot infographic of the Rajar Q1 2024 results here.