Digital radio continues to increase stake but growth slows
Rajar figures for the first quarter of 2011 show 22.3 million people are listening on digital platforms but growth in audience share has halved in three months
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Listening to the Radio via digital platforms is up by 12.8 per cent year-on-year but growth in digital take up has almost halved, according to today's Rajar figures.
The Radio Joint Audience Research report shows that 22.3 million people tuned in over the first quarter of 2011 via DAB radios, the internet, and through digital television, up from 19.7 million over the same period last year.
The digital figure for this quarter represents 26.5 per cent of all radio listening in the UK, up from 24 per cent year-on-year. But that 10.4 per cent increase shows a significant slowing in the the growth of the digital radio share, which was up 19.6 per cent year on year in the final quarter of 2010.
According a government stipulation, the planned digital switchover cannot take place until two years after digital radio has achieved a 50 per cent share.
DAB radio remains the most popular device for listening to digital radio, accounting for 63.1 per cent of all digital hours, but online listening has increased its share from 2.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2010 to 3.6 per cent this quarter.
The BBC announced a new online radio initiative recently, joining forces with commercial radio providers in March to launch Radioplayer , an online radio service that will allow users to search stations by station, programme, location, presenter or topic.
Radio listening via mobile platforms is also up, increasing by 10.2 per cent year-on-year and finding most success in the 15-25 ages range, in which 13.8 per cent report listening through their mobile phone. Radio 4 has achieved a record number of listeners is this quarter, according to the report. A combination of the success of the Archers and a high number of serious international news stories has seen 10.8 million users tune in to the station, eight per cent more than the same period last year.
Tim Davie, director of BBC Audio and Music, said: "It is quite brilliant to see radio reaching a record number of listeners in the digital age. These results speak to the unique quality of radio in the UK and reflect our work as an industry to keep innovating to attract new listeners. From a BBC perspective, the record results reflect the unique strength of our programme makers and the growing value of distinctive radio stations."
