The latest RAJAR figures for Q1 2026 reveal a dynamic landscape in the UK radio industry, with significant shifts in listener preferences and market share. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the key observations and trends:
Digital Dominance and Commercial Radio's Lead
- Digital Listening Growth: Online listening continues to surge, accounting for 30.4% of total listening hours, surpassing traditional AM and FM. This trend underscores the industry's ongoing transition to digital platforms.
- Commercial Radio's Lead: Commercial radio maintains its dominance, capturing 54.3% of total listening, a 7.91 million listener advantage over the BBC. This highlights the appeal of commercial stations' programming and targeted marketing.
- Smart Speakers: Smart speakers are driving listening growth, accounting for nearly 20% of all radio listening. Commercial radio excels on smart speakers, attracting 21.8% of listening hours, surpassing AM/FM.
Station-Specific Highlights
- LBC: Hits a record 3.6 million listeners, benefiting from the speech radio boom during major news events.
- Heart: Remains the UK's largest commercial radio brand, attracting 12.5 million listeners weekly.
- BBC Radio 2: Maintains its position as the UK's most-listened-to individual station with 12.6 million weekly listeners.
- Capital: Outperforms BBC Radio 1, reaching 8.8 million listeners weekly.
- KISS: Rebounds with a 15% quarterly increase, targeting younger audiences with its relaunched brand and refreshed presenter lineup.
- 100FM in London: Recovers post-rebrand, up 29.4% year-on-year.
- Times Radio: Posts the fastest quarterly growth among national news stations.
- talkSPORT: Grows audience ahead of FIFA World Cup coverage.
Local Radio Dynamics
- BBC Local Radio: Mixed results, with 19 of 37 stations increasing audience, 1 unchanged, and 17 down.
- Greatest Hits Radio and Hits Radio: Both show mixed results, with some stations up and others down.
- Capital: Local stations mostly down, with only one up, two unchanged, and 14 down.
- Heart: Performs well, with 14 of 23 local stations up, two unchanged, and seven down.
- Smooth: Positive local picture, with 12 of 18 stations up and six down.
BBC Radio's Performance
- BBC: Remains the UK's largest radio broadcaster, with 31.4 million weekly listeners.
- BBC Sounds: Records 718 million plays between January and March, up 5% year-on-year.
- Speech Stations: Strong performance during a news-dominated quarter, with BBC Radio 4 and Today Programme showing growth.
- Music Stations: Gains across BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 6 Music, and Nick Grimshaw's Breakfast show.
Global's Strength
- Global: Dominates commercial radio with 29 million weekly listeners, 279 million listening hours, and a 27.7% share.
- Heart, Capital, and Smooth Radio: Top three commercial radio brands.
- LBC: Posts highest-ever audience with 3.6 million weekly listeners, driven by major news events.
- Smooth Radio: Remains the UK's third-largest commercial radio brand.
- Radio X and Classic FM: Show growth in listeners and reach.
Bauer's Expansion
- KISS: Rebranded and relaunched, attracting 1.5 million listeners weekly.
- Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio: Reach 12.1 million listeners, with Bauer stations attracting over 22.1 million weekly.
- Absolute Radio and Magic Radio: Show growth in listeners and reach.
News Broadcasting and Digital Shift
- News Broadcasting: Holds onto its position as the UK's most digital radio broadcaster, with 87% of listening through digital platforms.
- talkSPORT, Times Radio, and Talk: Show growth in listeners and reach, benefiting from major news events and live sport.
- Virgin Radio UK: Grows listening hours and reach for its networks.
Nation Broadcasting's Record Quarter
- Nation Broadcasting: Sets new records for listening hours and weekly reach, helped by the addition of Nation 70s and Radio Exe.
- Nation Radio South: Increases reach by 28% year-on-year.
Independent Radio's Growth
- Lyca Radio Network and Sunrise Radio Group: Strong performances in London's Asian radio market.
- GB News Radio: Records the fastest year-on-year audience growth, surpassing Times Radio and Talk.
In conclusion, the UK radio industry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by digital listening, smart speakers, and a focus on news and entertainment. Commercial radio's lead over the BBC and the growth of independent stations highlight the industry's dynamic nature. As the market adapts to changing listener preferences, these trends will shape the future of radio broadcasting in the UK.
