Overall digital listening reaches 51%, meeting Government threshold for anticipated digital switchover review. 

KISS, Magic and Absolute Radio Networks all see year on year growth for both stations and national breakfast shows.

• Bauer Media’s overall reach grows 3% year on year to 17.5 million
• Bauer Media at 12 million digital reach – grows 8% year on year
• Bauer networks KISS, Absolute Radio and Magic experience year on year growth across stations and national breakfast shows

• KISS Network reach grows to 5.5 million listeners, up 9% year on year
• KISS station grows to 4.4 million listeners, up 11% year on year
• In London, KISS is the most listened to radio station for 15-24, 15-34 and 15-44 year olds. (In reach, total hours and market share)
• Rickie, Melvin & Charlie remain the #1 national commercial breakfast show for the sixth consecutive quarter with a reach of 2.1 million listeners
• KISSTORY remains the #1 digital only commercial station with 1.9 million listeners – up 19% year on year
• KISS FRESH grows audience to 595,000 up 22% year on year

• Magic Radio Network records 3.8 million listeners growing 6% year on year
• Ronan Keating and Harriet Scott’s national breakfast show reaches 1.1 million listeners, growing 6% year on year
• Huge year on year growth across Magic Soul (up 24% YoY, reaching a record 299,000 listeners) and Magic Chilled (up 28% YoY with 259,000 listeners)

• Absolute Radio Network records 4.5 million listeners, growing 7% year on year
• Absolute Radio station posts 2.4 million listeners, growing 11 % year on year
• Christian O’Connell’s national Breakfast Show reaches 2 million listeners, with 7% year on year growth
• 80% of listening is done via a digital device for Absolute Radio Network

• Bauer City Network reaches 6.6 million listeners
• The network celebrates growth across the North East, Yorkshire and the Midlands
• Growing Bauer regional brands include:
  • Viking FM (up 18% YoY)
  • Downtown Country (up 17% YoY)
  • Hallam FM (up 11% YoY)
  • Free Radio FM (Birmingham & Black Country) (up 8% YoY)
  • Free Radio FM (Coventry & Warwickshire) (up 8% YoY)
  • Gem 106 (up 6% YoY)
  • Free Radio FM (Herefordshire and Worcestershire) (up 5% YoY)
  • Forth 1 (up 1% YoY)

• 61% of Bauer Media’s listening is via a digital device compared to commercial radio industry average of 52%
• Bauer Media now at 12 million digital reach – grows 8% year on year
• Leading Bauer digital brands celebrate growth, including:
  • Magic Chilled (up 28% YoY)
  • Magic Soul (up 24% YoY)
  • KISS FRESH (up 22% YoY)
  • KISSTORY (up 19% YoY)
  • Absolute 80s (up 15% YoY)
  • Absolute 90s (up 7% YoY)
  • Kerrang! (up 4% YoY)
  • Planet Rock (up 3% YoY)

Dee Ford, Group Managing Director Radio, Bauer Media, said, “What a day for UK radio! We are so proud to be leading the UK radio industry with 61% listening via a digital device. It’s clear from today’s results our expert knowledge in both content and audience insight are paying off. We understand the vital role that our much-loved brands play in enriching the listening experience for UK consumers. As such, we’re committed to even more investment to give our listeners what they want – like fresh new talent and launching new radio brands.

“On June 4^th we launch our new national radio station, Hits Radio, the only national commercial radio station to broadcast out of Manchester to the UK, with significant investment in talent. Gethin Jones, Gemma Atkinson and Dave Vitty will be hosting Breakfast and Sarah-Jane Crawford will entertain listeners in the evening show. And not only that, on this day Dave Berry moves from Absolute Radio’s Home Time show to Breakfast.”

Source: RAJAR / Ipsos – MORI / RSMB, period Q1 2018, all stations and groups results are reported on their specified reporting period and TSA.

== Ends ==

For more info:

Cat Martin Communications Director, Bauer Media

E: cat.martin@bauermedia.co.uk

T: 020 7432 3317/07932 746 363

Amelia O’Shea, Bauer Media (Radio)

E: amelia.oshea@bauermedia.co.uk

T: 0207 432 3417 /07718 489 342