Majority of UK Adults Have Used Digital Radio

Data compiled by RAJAR reveals that, for the first time, more than half the UK adult population claim to own a DAB radio set or to have listened to the radio via digital television (DTV) or the Internet.

The figure of 25.5 million potential audience for digital radio programmes constitutes a majority of the UK population aged 15+.

UK radio audience quarterly data, compiled by RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research), shows that the percentage of people tuning in to their radios during the first quarter remained stable at 90% of the 15+ population, with 44.3 million listeners tuning each week, up 251,000 year on year (Q1, 2006 vs. Q1, 2005). Most listening is still analogue, listeners using a variety of options: the share of hours of radio listening via a digital platform is still only around one ninth although it has crept up to 11.4%, up from 11% in Quarter 4, 2005 and 6.3% in Quarter 1, 2005.

Ownership of DAB sets continues to grow with 13.6% of adults now living in households with one or more sets. This figure has increased by 22.5% quarter on quarter (Q1, 2006 - 13.6% vs. Q4, 2005 - 11.1%) and a huge 68% year on year (Q1, 2006 - 13.6% vs. Q1, 2005 - 8.1%).

Likewise, listening to the radio via DTV continues to build steadily. 36.5% of adults now claim to have listened to the radio via DTV, a growth of 15% year on year (Q1, 2006 - 36.5% vs. Q1, 2005 - 31.7%). Internet radio listening is also steadily increasing. It now stands at 20.8% of adults, a growth of 20% year on year (Q1, 2006 - 20.8% vs. Q1, 2005 - 17.3%).

Mobile phones are proving increasingly popular as a means of listening to radio, especially for young adults. 3.2 million adults (8.8% of mobile phone owners) now claim to listen to the radio via their mobile phones and this percentage increases to 21.2% for the age group 15-24 (1.3 million).

Further information is available online at www.rajar.co.uk .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.