Radio remains as resilient and relevant as ever, with the latest RAJAR listening results showcasing that a record 51m people are listening to their favourite radio stations each week.

Commercial stations remain the most popular choice for audiences, with 40.1 million weekly listeners (+2.1% YoY) and Bauer Media Audio UK attracts 23.5 million weekly listeners across its diverse portfolio of brands, including the Hits Radio Network – now celebrating a record 7.2 million listeners, and the Absolute Radio Network which has a record 5.7 million weekly listeners.

Standout performances this quarter, include:

• The Hits Radio Network secures its biggest ever audience of 7.2 million weekly listeners (10.7% YoY) and the main Hits Radio station now reaches 4.6 million listeners a week (+143.6% YOY)
• Greatest Hits Radio remains the most listened to commercial station in the country and has 7.4 million weekly listeners (+12.9% YoY). Simon Mayo has the biggest commercial drivetime show and Ken Bruce is the most listened to show on commercial radio and has over 4 million weekly listeners.
• Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio combined (the Hits Radio Portfolio) now reach 13.3 million listeners (+10.5% YoY) and 15.1 million (+6.7% YoY) when partner stations are included.
  The Absolute Radio Network celebrates its biggest ever reach of 5.7 million listeners (+3.7% YoY), with Absolute Radio Country achieving a record 541k weekly listeners (25.8% YoY).
• The Magic Radio Network and KISS Network have 3.7 million listeners each, with record performances for Magic Soul and Magic at the Musicals, while KISSTORY remains the number 1 commercial digital station.
• Over a third of Bauer’s listening is now via connected devices including smart speakers, web and app, with a further 52% of listening on DAB. Bauer is also home to four of the top five digital commercial stations, #1 KISSTORY, #2 Absolute Radio, and #4 Absolute 80s and #5 KISS.

Simon Myciunka, CEO for Bauer Media Audio UK said, ‘All our teams at Bauer Media Audio UK are incredibly proud to be part of an industry that is thriving, and today’s results speak volumes about the strong connections our brands have with listeners. We remain committed to delivering exceptional content and experiences that resonate with both these audiences and our valued advertisers and partners.’

Gary Stein, Director of Audio for Bauer Media Audio UK said, ‘We’ve invested significantly in Hits Radio and it’s fantastic to see such brilliant results for the network as it grows to a new record reach, while Greatest Hits Radio continues to the be the UK’s most listened to commercial station. Absolute Radio Network has also enjoyed another standout performance with record audiences and a special mention to Clyde 1 and Forth 1 in Scotland which are celebrating their best audiences since the turn of the century.’

– ENDS –

For more information, please contact:
Amelia O’Shea – Head of Communications, Bauer Media Audio UK
E: amelia.oshea@bauermedia.co.uk T: 07531 949693

Odelia Yu – Commercial Communications Manager
E: odelia.yu@bauermedia.co.uk T: 07718 124791

About Bauer Media UK:
Bauer Media UK reaches over 27 million UK consumers through a portfolio of world-class, multi-platform media and entertainment brands including heat, KISS, Grazia, Empire, Magic, Absolute Radio and the Hits Radio Network. These brands offer commercial partners access to highly engaged audiences, with creative solutions underpinned by insight and instinct. Bauer Media UK is part of the Bauer Media Group, one of the world’s largest privately owned media businesses with media assets all over the globe.
About Bauer Media Group :
We are a media business focused on creating content that matters to millions of people across Europe. Our offering extends from print and online publishing to audio broadcasting and entertainment, alongside investments in other media related sectors. With more than 500 million copies sold each year, we are one of Europe’s largest Publishers. From women’s and celebrities’ magazines to TV listings to food and special interest, we own some of the most popular publishing brands in Germany, UK, Poland and France – both digital and print. But not only that. Reaching over 61 million listeners weekly, we operate over 150 radio and podcast brands in nine countries, spanning the UK, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Portugal. Family-owned in the 5th generation, Bauer Media focuses on the long-term, with a consumer-first mindset that guides us across our diverse portfolio. Our workforce of 12,000 shares a common purpose: to deliver content and services that enrich people’s everyday lives.