UK flag US flag FR flag BE flag

News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

Rajar Q2 2026: A record 51m people listen to UK radio each week

Rajar Q2 2026: A record 51m people listen to UK radio each week

The latest Rajar figures found a majority of the UK’s national stations’ weekly reach declined year on year.

Rajar Q2 2026: Top Takeaways

Rajar Q2 2026: Top Takeaways

The latest Rajar figures found commercial radio’s audience surpassed 40m to stand at 40.2m listeners each week.

Rajar Q2 2026: Heart Breakfast growth stalls but remains most popular commercial breakfast show

Rajar Q2 2026: Heart Breakfast growth stalls but remains most popular commercial breakfast show

KISS Breakfast saw a huge 40% year-on-year growth in Q2 following a major rebrand and continued draw of new presenters Tyler West and Chloe Burrows.

Rajar Q2 2026: Online accounts for more than a third of commercial radio listening hours

Rajar Q2 2026: Online accounts for more than a third of commercial radio listening hours

Total digital listening makes up 75.5% of radio listening, up 2.1 percentage points year on year, while AM/FM has fallen to 24.5%. 
IAA roundtable: Rethinking brand safety for a more nuanced media landscape

IAA roundtable: Rethinking brand safety for a more nuanced media landscape

Brand safety has long been a non-negotiable for digital advertising, but it has evolved beyond simply avoiding harmful content. The IAA’s executive director unpacks the key discussion points from a recent debate at this year’s Cannes Lions.
Advertisement

The Media Leader

Sign up now

Receive weekly round-ups of the latest comment, opinion and media news, direct to your inbox.

Opinion

How can media leaders prepare for an under 16 social media ban?

If regulation is inevitable, we should use it as an opportunity to create a smarter, safer digital ecosystem. Lisa Morgan looks at key considerations.

The scoop that stopped FIFA’s secret World Cup selloff

Martyn Ziegler’s exclusive, one of the most significant sports exclusives ever, has put an end to what many saw as an attempt to sell off the soul of football. Ray Snoddy explains. 

Why brands are investing in live experiences and why the future of experiential is about proving impact

Goodwood’s Festival of Speed is just one place brands are investing increasingly in live experiences says Andrew Orr MD at TRO, part of Omnicom. The challenge now for the industry is how to prove effectivenes.

Industry News

Channel 4 and Lloyds award four Black-owned businesses with £200,000 each in advertising airtime

Channel 4 and Lloyds award four Black-owned businesses with £200,000 each in advertising airtime

Is broadcasters’ embrace of social video commercially sustainable? With Enders Analysis’ Niamh Burns

Is broadcasters’ embrace of social video commercially sustainable? With Enders Analysis’ Niamh Burns

Big Tech’s AI costs have surged. Can ad revenues keep up?

Big Tech’s AI costs have surged. Can ad revenues keep up?

Exclusive: Fifty5Blue to take minority stake in Origin, enters talks with Isba

Exclusive: Fifty5Blue to take minority stake in Origin, enters talks with Isba

Digital and programmatic drives strong performance for JCDecaux in H1

Digital and programmatic drives strong performance for JCDecaux in H1

UK adspend rose 9.3% in Q1 2026 driven by double-digit increases in social media, retail media and OOH

UK adspend rose 9.3% in Q1 2026 driven by double-digit increases in social media, retail media and OOH

X settles WFA lawsuit, will ‘reset’ relationship on condition WFA will not ‘form or restart GARM or a similar initiative’

X settles WFA lawsuit, will ‘reset’ relationship on condition WFA will not ‘form or restart GARM or a similar initiative’

How ZDF Studios is building reach and fandom, from FAST to YouTube

How ZDF Studios is building reach and fandom, from FAST to YouTube

Data Analysis

Has Origin failed?

Has Origin failed?

Mapping the UK agency landscape

Mapping the UK agency landscape

The industry is calling it cross-media. It’s not

The industry is calling it cross-media. It’s not

Campaign ROI is maximised when audio gets 25% of spend, finds Radiocentre report

Campaign ROI is maximised when audio gets 25% of spend, finds Radiocentre report

Data Snapshot

Data-led charts from across the UK media landscape

Mediatel Connected logo

Find out more about the UK's most comprehensive aggregator of media data.

Arrange a demo

Podcast Ad Promo Position Plays A Part In Perception

28 Jul 2026

The ad-vantages of streaming

23 Jun 2026

Our next event

Mediatel Events Next Event Logo

Upcoming Event

The Future of Media Manchester 2026

The Future of Media Manchester 2026 is the region's premier event bringing together media planners, strategists, and buyers to explore the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping the commercial media landscape. Hosted by The Media Leader, the event features expert speakers, thought-provoking debates and research-led sessions designed to spark honest conversations about where the industry is heading. Taking place at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on 17 September, the event will bring together 600+ industry professionals and 40+ speakers for a full day of insight, discussion and networking. Attendees can expect sharp debates, fresh perspectives and valuable connections with senior leaders across the media ecosystem — making it a must-attend for anyone looking to stay ahead of the industry’s next chapter.
17 September 2026

More on Events