The long-awaited RAJAR results for Q2 2024, released last month, show a record number of adults in the UK listening to radio each week – with notable milestones for commercial radio and podcasts.
Some 51 million adults tuned into radio stations in the second quarter, accounting for 88% of the UK population – a figure that has remained remarkably static over the last two years, even as the wider media landscape evolves. Podcasts also reached a record high, with 12.3 million Brits listening every week.
The results were particularly strong for commercial radio. For the first time, over 40 million adults in the UK listened to commercial stations each week. Commercial stations now hold a 55/43 percentage point advantage in share over BBC stations, a gap that has grown in recent years as prominent hosts such as Ken Bruce and Jordan North have migrated to the BBC’s commercial rivals. Notwithstanding this shift, BBC Radio 2 continues to be the most popular station in the UK, while also retaining the accolades of having the most listened show and breakfast show. The highest reaching, Vernon Kay’s midmorning slot on Radio 2, attracted 6.7m listeners, whilst predecessor Bruce’s competing show on Greatest Hits Radio held an audience of 4m.
All of this comes amidst a backdrop of digital dominance in the wider media landscape. Digital channels now account for nearly three-fifths of all commercial media time, rising to four-fifths for 18-34s, according to IPA Touchpoints. In radio, that trend is even more pronounced, with 74% of all weekly listening hours now being consumed digitally. In particular, smart speakers have grown in prominence, now making up over 20% of commercial radio listening, up 3.4%pts year-on-year.
One of the biggest winners in Q2 was Bauer Media Group, longtime partners of the7stars. A record 24 million adults tuned in across Bauer’s station portfolio, some 7.5 million of which listened to Greatest Hits Radio each week – a 7.8%pt. increase in the last 12 months. Close behind was Hits Radio, which itself set a record with 7.1 million listeners. The result was a vote of confidence in the station, which earlier in the quarter chose to bring several legacy stations in England and Wales under the Hits banner, supported by its first-ever TV campaign.
Gary Stein, Director of Audio for Bauer Media Audio UK, called the figures ‘another stunning set of results for Bauer Media Audio UK.’ He added, ‘In a quarter where we rebranded 16 stations across England and Wales to Hits Radio, I’m delighted this has resulted in a record reach for Hits Radio and the wider network.’
