RAJAR: Quarterly Gains For Commercial Radio
Commercial radio has fought back in share of listening, according to RAJAR figures released this morning. All Commercial saw a quarter on quarter increase in percentage share of 0.6 percentage points, bringing it to 46.6%, while All BBC saw a drop of 0.8 percentage points, although it still leads the field.
Local Commercial also had a healthy quarter in the period to June 2001, gaining 0.8 percentage points, but National Commercial slipped 0.3 percentage points to 8%. BBC Network Radio’s percentage share remained static quarter on quarter at 39.9%.
| June 2001 RAJAR Share Of Listening Comparisons | ||||
| Station | Survey Period | Ending Mar 2001 | Ending Jun 2001 | % Point Change |
| All BBC | Q | 52.1 | 51.3 | -0.8 |
| All BBC Network Radio | Q | 39.9 | 39.9 | 0.0 |
| All Commercial | Q | 46.0 | 46.6 | 0.6 |
| All Local Commercial | Q | 37.8 | 38.6 | 0.8 |
| All National Commercial | Q | 8.3 | 8.0 | -0.3 |
| BBC Local Radio | Q | 12.0 | 11.4 | -0.6 |
| BBC Local/Regional | Q | 12.2 | 11.4 | -0.8 |
| Other Listening | Q | 1.8 | 2.1 | 0.3 |
In a year on year comparison, the effects of the BBC’s previous, more successful quarters is apparent, with All BBC up 0.2 percentage points, BBC Network up 0.1 and BBC Local up 0.3. Meanwhile All Commercial has seen a year on year decrease of 0.6 percentage points, Local Commercial has slipped 0.2 and National Commercial 0.3.
An analysis of weekly reach shows that BBC and Commercial radio are still on level pegging. All Commercial gained 3.7% quarter on quarter, while All BBC gained 3.9%. This means the BBC retains a slight edge, its 32.278m just bettering Commercial’s 32.180m.
The only loss in reach was seen at BBC Local/Regional, which slipped 0.7% quarter on quarter. BBC Network gained 5.7% with just over 28m, while National Commercial gained 4.3% with 11.25m.
| June 2001 RAJAR Weekly Reach (000s) Comparisons | ||||
| Station | Survey Period | Ending Mar 2001 | Ending Jun 2001 | % Change |
| All BBC | Q | 31,061 | 32,278 | 3.9 |
| All BBC Network Radio | Q | 26,560 | 28,076 | 5.7 |
| All Commercial | Q | 31,031 | 32,180 | 3.7 |
| All Local Commercial | Q | 26,072 | 27,440 | 5.2 |
| All National Commercial | Q | 10,787 | 11,249 | 4.3 |
| All Radio | Q | 43,372 | 44,536 | 2.7 |
| BBC Local Radio | Q | 8,272 | 8,292 | 0.2 |
| BBC Local/Regional | Q | 10,593 | 10,521 | -0.7 |
| Other Listening | Q | 2,570 | 3,130 | 21.8 |
Year on year there was more hopeful news than during the RAJAR Q1 results, when both BBC and Commercial stations recorded losses. This timeAll BBC managed a healthy 4.2% gain and Commercial a slightly more modest 2% increase. BBC Network increased weekly reach 4.6% in a year on year comparison, but National Commercial only went up by 0.6%.
Average hours per listener for All Radio saw a year on year increase in the Q2 figures. The benefits of this could be seen across the board, but especially in All Commercial, which saw a 2.6% increase, and Local Commercial which was up 2%. The increase for All BBC was 1.8%
| June 2001 RAJAR Average Hours Per Listener Comparisons | ||||
| Station | Survey Period | Ending Jun 2000 | Ending Jun 2001 | % Change |
| All BBC | Q | 17.0 | 17.3 | 1.8 |
| All BBC Network Radio | Q | 15.3 | 15.5 | 1.3 |
| All Commercial | Q | 15.4 | 15.8 | 2.6 |
| All Local Commercial | Q | 15.0 | 15.3 | 2.0 |
| All National Commercial | Q | 7.7 | 7.8 | 1.3 |
| All Radio | Q | 23.6 | 24.4 | 3.4 |
| BBC Local Radio | Q | 12.3 | 12.3 | 0.0 |
| BBC Local/Regional | Q | 11.8 | 11.8 | 0.0 |
| Other Listening | Q | 7.0 | 7.3 | 4.3 |
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