Rajar Q3 2015: Digital

Analogue listening declined year on year by 10.4% to just over half of listening, according to the latest Rajar results – representing a “tipping point” for digital.

30 million people (aged 15+) now tune in to radio via a digitally enabled receiver – DAB, television or online – each week, with the share of all radio listening via a digital platform now standing at 41.9%, up from 37.8% for the corresponding period last year.

The share of listening to DAB has increased by 14% year on year to 27.7% of all listening (24.5% in Q3, 2014).

“The shift to digital listening is accelerating across the UK and the fact that listening on analogue platforms has declined to just over 50% of people is a tipping point,” said Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK.

“The 12.5% annual growth in digital listening hours to nearly 42% share is the strongest we have seen for two years. This is reflected in the success of national BBC and commercial stations on digital and this is the first time that digital listening of national stations has been over 50%. We are now counting down to the moment when the majority of all radio listening will be to digital.”

Digital listening in an average week now stands at 433 million hours. DAB radio is the most popular device, accounting for 66% of all digital hours (28% of total hours). Listening via TV currently represents 12% (5% of total hours) and listening online 16% (7% of total hours).

26% of adults claim to listen to the radio via a mobile phone or tablet at least once per month, up 21% year on year, rising to 41% of 15-24 year olds.

On average a listener tunes into 21 hours and 36 minutes of live radio per week, reaching a combined total of 1.03 billion.