Local Commercial Radio Listening Falls Back In Latest Figures

Local commercial radio saw a decline in listening share for the December 1999 RAJAR period, from 39.2% in September 1999 to 38.4% for this three month period. At the same time, the sector’s overall weekly reach grew slightly by 0.7% to 26.2 million listeners. Average hours, on the other hand, dropped back by 0.7% to 14.8 per listener per week.

Birmingham’s Galaxy 102.2, which reported its first RAJAR figure last quarter, is still performing well with reach up a further 21.0%. Down at the other end of the scale are four of GWR Group’s Classic Gold stations, all showing audience declines of over 15%.

Two stations report for the first time in this RAJAR survey. London’s Millennium Radio took a 0.4% share of listening and had a weekly reach of 19,000 listeners; Tower FM, which broadcasts from Bolton, had a 3.1% share of listening and an average weekly reach of 36,000.

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For an explanation of the new RAJAR methodology and how and when the stations report, click RAJAR – The New Methodology Explained.