Rajar Q3 2026: 40m people tune into commercial radio each week
Rajar Q3 2026
Commercial radio reaches 9m more listeners than the BBC each week, with 40m people tuning in during Q3 2026, up from 39.7m in Q3 2025, according to the latest Rajar figures.
Total weekly reach at Global stations grew 0.7% year-on-year to 27.7m, while Bauer’s portfolio, excluding partners, fell 0.8% to 21.2m.
Global’s Heart remains the UK’s most listened-to commercial radio brand, reaching 13m weekly listeners. Reach grew 1.5% quarter-on-quarter and 1.8% year-on-year.
Global also holds the next two top spots among commercial brands, with Capital reaching 9.1m listeners and Smooth 7.5m.
Capital fell 2.6% year-on-year but grew 3.2% quarter-on-quarter, while Smooth declined 1.9% year-on-year but increased 1.6% quarter-on-quarter.
BBC Radio 2 remains the UK’s second most listened to radio station overall, reaching 12.7m weekly listeners. Its reach rose 2.4% quarter-on-quarter but fell 0.9% year-on-year.
Bauer’s Hits Radio Network reached 6.6m listeners, down 4.3% year-on-year but up 1.1% quarter-on-quarter. Greatest Hits Radio Network, excluding partners, reached 6.8m, down 5.6% year-on-year and 1.5% from the previous quarter.
Zoe Ball took over the Greatest Hits Radio weekday afternoon slot on 7 September. With the change coming late in the quarter, it may be too early to assess its impact, although reach in the 1 pm-4 pm slot has decreased 6.4% year-on-year. Meanwhile, Ken Bruce’s show on Greatest Hits Radio remains the UK’s most listened-to commercial radio programme.
Bauer’s KISS Network continued to grow following its rebrand earlier this year, increasingly weekly reach by 12.2% year-on-year to 3.9m listeners. Planet Rock also recorded growth, rising 7.9% to 1.2m, while Kerrang! was up 12.7% to 646,000.
News UK also recorded year-on-year growth, with its total portfolio increasing weekly reach by 2.8% to 6.5m listeners.
Following a summer of sport, talkSPORT grew its weekly reach by 8.9% year-on-year, possibly aided by the station’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup match coverage, with the tournament concluding in July. talkSPORT 2 also grew 22.5%, potentially reflecting interest in its MotoGP coverage.
LBC’s weekly reach rose 6.8% year-on-year to 3.6m listeners, although it fell 3.2% quarter-on-quarter.
Classic FM remains the UK’s most popular classical music radio brand, reaching 4.4m listeners each week. However, its reach fell 2.1% quarter-on-quarter and 2.2% year-on-year.
This quarter also marked the second Rajar results for Scottish commercial station STV, which launched in January. The station recorded a weekly reach of 136,000, down 1.6% on last quarter.
| Weekly reach (000s) | % change | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Station | Group | Sep 25 | Jun 26 | Sep 26 | QoQ | YoY |
| 1 | Total Global Radio (UK) | Global Radio | 27,483 | 27,587 | 27,672 | +0.3% | +0.7% |
| 2 | Bauer Media Audio UK – Total (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 21,423 | 21,120 | 21,244 | +0.6% | -0.8% |
| 3 | Heart Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 12,790 | 12,826 | 13,024 | +1.5% | +1.8% |
| 4 | BBC Radio 2 | BBC | 12,789 | 12,367 | 12,669 | +2.4% | -0.9% |
| 5 | Hits Radio Portfolio (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 12,782 | 12,240 | 12,197 | -0.4% | -4.6% |
| 6 | Heart Network (UK) | Global Radio | 9,358 | 9,379 | 9,363 | -0.2% | +0.1% |
| 7 | Capital Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 9,391 | 8,864 | 9,146 | +3.2% | -2.6% |
| 8 | BBC Radio 4 (including 4 Extra) | BBC | 9,190 | 9,276 | 9,042 | -2.5% | -1.6% |
| 9 | BBC Radio 4 | BBC | 8,856 | 8,934 | 8,702 | -2.6% | -1.7% |
| 10 | BBC Radio 1 Brand | BBC | – | 7,548 | 7,587 | +0.5% | – |
| 11 | Smooth Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 7,639 | 7,374 | 7,491 | +1.6% | -1.9% |
| 12 | BBC Radio 1 | BBC | 7,312 | 6,904 | 6,964 | +0.9% | -4.8% |
| 13 | Capital Network (UK) | Global Radio | 7,014 | 6,512 | 6,776 | +4.1% | -3.4% |
| 14 | Greatest Hits Network (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 7,163 | 6,863 | 6,760 | -1.5% | -5.6% |
| 15 | Hits Radio Network (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 6,905 | 6,536 | 6,606 | +1.1% | -4.3% |
| 16 | Total News Broadcasting | Total News Broadcasting | 6,312 | 6,382 | 6,490 | +1.7% | +2.8% |
| 17 | News Broadcasting National Network | News Broadcasting | 6,116 | 6,168 | 6,296 | +2.1% | +2.9% |
| 18 | BBC Radio 5 live (inc. sports extra) | BBC | 5,812 | 5,915 | 5,724 | -3.2% | -1.5% |
| 19 | Greatest Hits Radio | Bauer Radio | 6,230 | 5,794 | 5,696 | -1.7% | -8.6% |
| 20 | Smooth Radio Network (UK) | Global Radio | 5,941 | 5,579 | 5,584 | +0.1% | -6% |
| 21 | Absolute Radio Network | Bauer Radio | 5,524 | 5,398 | 5,502 | +1.9% | -0.4% |
| 22 | BBC Radio 5 live | BBC | 5,416 | 5,503 | 5,285 | -4% | -2.4% |
| 23 | News Broadcasting Speech Network | News Broadcasting | 4,223 | 4,614 | 4,646 | +0.7% | +10% |
| 24 | Classic FM Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 4,519 | 4,514 | 4,421 | -2.1% | -2.2% |
| 25 | Classic FM | Global Radio | 4,261 | 4,286 | 4,114 | -4% | -3.4% |
| 26 | KISS Network | Bauer Radio | 3,469 | 3,738 | 3,893 | +4.1% | +12.2% |
| 27 | talkSPORT Network | News Broadcasting | 3,382 | 3,668 | 3,758 | +2.5% | +11.1% |
| 28 | Hits Radio | Bauer Radio | 4,054 | 3,684 | 3,681 | -0.1% | -9.2% |
| 29 | LBC Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 3,343 | 3,688 | 3,569 | -3.2% | +6.8% |
| 30 | talkSPORT | News Broadcasting | 3,156 | 3,321 | 3,438 | +3.5% | +8.9% |
| 31 | Magic Network | Bauer Radio | 3,469 | 3,299 | 3,355 | +1.7% | -3.3% |
| 32 | LBC (UK) | Global Radio | 2,640 | 2,897 | 2,789 | -3.7% | +5.6% |
| 33 | BBC 6 Music | BBC | 2,735 | 2,586 | 2,585 | 0% | -5.5% |
| 34 | Radio X Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 2,546 | 2,411 | 2,382 | -1.2% | -6.4% |
| 35 | Magic | Bauer Radio | 2,402 | 2,215 | 2,309 | +4.2% | -3.9% |
| 36 | BBC Radio 3 Brand | BBC | – | 2,240 | 2,158 | -3.7% | – |
| 37 | Absolute Radio | Bauer Radio | 2,071 | 2,021 | 1,986 | -1.7% | -4.1% |
| 38 | BBC Radio 3 | BBC | 1,806 | 1,881 | 1,962 | +4.3% | +8.6% |
| 39 | KISSTORY | Bauer Radio | 2,099 | 2,030 | 1,873 | -7.7% | -10.8% |
| 40 | Capital XTRA Brand UK | Global Radio | 2,011 | 1,833 | 1,855 | +1.2% | -7.8% |
| 41 | Virgin Radio Network | News Broadcasting | 2,132 | 1,786 | 1,854 | +3.8% | -13% |
| 42 | Radio X Network (UK) | Global Radio | 2,021 | 1,903 | 1,833 | -3.7% | -9.3% |
| 43 | Heart 80s | Global Radio | 1,718 | 1,781 | 1,817 | +2% | +5.8% |
| 44 | Nation Broadcasting Group | Bauer Radio | 980 | 1,268 | 1,748 | +37.9% | +78.4% |
| 45 | KISS | Bauer Radio | 1,283 | 1,749 | 1,653 | -5.5% | +28.8% |
| 46 | Gold Radio UK | Global Radio | 1,660 | 1,535 | 1,619 | +5.5% | -2.5% |
| 47 | Capital XTRA (UK) | Global Radio | 1,662 | 1,511 | 1,513 | +0.1% | -9% |
| 48 | Absolute 80s | Bauer Radio | 1,583 | 1,536 | 1,451 | -5.5% | -8.3% |
| 49 | BBC Radio 4 Extra | BBC | 1,491 | 1,434 | 1,410 | -1.7% | -5.4% |
| 50 | BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra | BBC | 1,376 | 1,111 | 1,275 | +14.8% | -7.3% |
| 51 | Planet Rock | Bauer Radio | 1,113 | 1,089 | 1,201 | +10.3% | +7.9% |
| 52 | Heart 90s | Global Radio | 1,039 | 1,149 | 1,200 | +4.4% | +15.5% |
| 53 | LBC News (UK) | Global Radio | 1,040 | 1,198 | 1,115 | -6.9% | +7.2% |
| 54 | Heart Dance | Global Radio | 1,129 | 1,105 | 1,030 | -6.8% | -8.8% |
| 55 | Heart 00s | Global Radio | 954 | 1,057 | 1,027 | -2.8% | +7.7% |
| 56 | Virgin Radio | News Broadcasting | 1,304 | 1,008 | 1,011 | +0.3% | -22.5% |
| 57 | BBC World Service | BBC | 1,092 | 943 | 996 | +5.6% | -8.8% |
| 58 | Capital Dance | Global Radio | 1,093 | 1,018 | 973 | -4.4% | -11% |
| 59 | Absolute Radio 90s | Bauer Radio | 949 | 835 | 877 | +5% | -7.6% |
| 60 | BBC Radio 1Xtra | BBC | 777 | 769 | 774 | +0.7% | -0.4% |
| 61 | Absolute Classic Rock | Bauer Radio | 823 | 785 | 770 | -1.9% | -6.4% |
| 62 | Boom Brand | Bauer Radio | 739 | 677 | 693 | +2.4% | -6.2% |
| 63 | Capital Anthems | Global Radio | 639 | 735 | 688 | -6.4% | +7.7% |
| 64 | KISSTORY R&B | Bauer Radio | 548 | 681 | 677 | -0.6% | +23.5% |
| 65 | Smooth 80s | Global Radio | 532 | 754 | 658 | -12.7% | +23.7% |
| 66 | Boom Radio | Bauer Radio | 688 | 635 | 650 | +2.4% | -5.5% |
| 67 | Kerrang! | Bauer Radio | 573 | 615 | 646 | +5% | +12.7% |
| 68 | BBC Radio 1 Dance | BBC | – | 615 | 645 | +4.9% | – |
| 69 | Greatest Hits Radio 80s | Bauer Radio | 572 | 605 | 644 | +6.4% | +12.6% |
| 70 | BBC Radio 1 Anthems | BBC | – | 584 | 630 | +7.9% | – |
| 71 | Times Radio | News Broadcasting | 564 | 660 | 619 | -6.2% | +9.8% |
| 72 | BBC Asian Network UK | BBC | 566 | 548 | 613 | +11.9% | +8.3% |
| 73 | Heart 70s | Global Radio | 645 | 625 | 595 | -4.8% | -7.8% |
| 74 | Absolute Radio Country | Bauer Radio | 651 | 566 | 588 | +3.9% | -9.7% |
| 75 | Absolute Radio 00s | Bauer Radio | 478 | 510 | 582 | +14.1% | +21.8% |
| 76 | Capital XTRA Reloaded | Global Radio | 561 | 527 | 568 | +7.8% | +1.2% |
| 77 | Smooth Country | Global Radio | 392 | 501 | 509 | +1.6% | +29.8% |
| 78 | talkSPORT2 | News Broadcasting | 408 | 531 | 500 | -5.8% | +22.5% |
| 79 | Talk (was TalkRadio) | News Broadcasting | 506 | 543 | 497 | -8.5% | -1.8% |
| 80 | Hits Radio 90s | Bauer Radio | 375 | 428 | 491 | +14.7% | +30.9% |
| 81 | Magic Soul | Bauer Radio | 505 | 490 | 480 | -2% | -5% |
| 82 | Classic FM Calm | Global Radio | 367 | 358 | 465 | +29.9% | +26.7% |
| 83 | Mellow Magic | Bauer Radio | 523 | 406 | 464 | +14.3% | -11.3% |
| 84 | Greatest Hits Radio 70s | Bauer Radio | 384 | 481 | 449 | -6.7% | +16.9% |
| 85 | Greatest Hits Radio 60s | Bauer Radio | 392 | 433 | 430 | -0.7% | +9.7% |
| 86 | Smooth Relax | Global Radio | 483 | 505 | 429 | -15% | -11.2% |
| 87 | Hits Radio 00s | Bauer Radio | 316 | 377 | 420 | +11.4% | +32.9% |
| 88 | Jazz FM | Bauer Radio | 461 | 406 | 408 | +0.5% | -11.5% |
| 89 | Heart 10s | Global Radio | 361 | 307 | 391 | +27.4% | +8.3% |
| 90 | BBC Radio 3 Unwind | BBC | – | 408 | 382 | -6.4% | – |
| 91 | Smooth Chill | Global Radio | 411 | 365 | 382 | +4.7% | -7.1% |
| 92 | Heat | Bauer Radio | 472 | 387 | 374 | -3.4% | -20.8% |
| 93 | Smooth 70s | Global Radio | 308 | 293 | 359 | +22.5% | +16.6% |
| 94 | Sunrise Radio Group National | Sunrise Radio | 357 | 374 | 357 | -4.5% | 0% |
| 95 | Virgin Radio Legends (was Virgin Radio Anthems) | News Broadcasting | 442 | 318 | 354 | +11.3% | -19.9% |
| 96 | Sunrise Radio National | Sunrise Radio | 328 | 351 | 333 | -5.1% | +1.5% |
| 97 | Virgin Radio Chilled | News Broadcasting | 365 | 346 | 323 | -6.6% | -11.5% |
| 98 | KISS Xtra | Bauer Radio | 289 | 248 | 301 | +21.4% | +4.2% |
| 99 | Absolute Radio 70s | Bauer Radio | 312 | 283 | 299 | +5.7% | -4.2% |
| 100 | Heart Love | Global Radio | 291 | 244 | 294 | +20.5% | +1% |
| 101 | Magic Musicals | Bauer Radio | 261 | 301 | 279 | -7.3% | +6.9% |
| 102 | Smooth Soul | Global Radio | 229 | 199 | 278 | +39.7% | +21.4% |
| 103 | Hits Radio Chilled | Bauer Radio | 297 | 286 | 278 | -2.8% | -6.4% |
| 104 | Radio X 90s Group | Global Radio | 262 | 221 | 275 | +24.4% | +5% |
| 105 | Absolute Radio 10s | Bauer Radio | 297 | 249 | 270 | +8.4% | -9.1% |
| 106 | Nation 80s | Bauer Radio | 143 | 220 | 266 | +20.9% | +86% |
| 107 | Hits Radio Pride | Bauer Radio | 343 | 286 | 258 | -9.8% | -24.8% |
| 108 | Virgin Radio 80s | News Broadcasting | 314 | 258 | 244 | -5.4% | -22.3% |
| 109 | Radio X Classic Rock | Global Radio | 248 | 257 | 240 | -6.6% | -3.2% |
| 110 | Virgin Radio 90s | News Broadcasting | – | 183 | 180 | -1.6% | – |
| 111 | Radio X 90s | Global Radio | 165 | 164 | 179 | +9.1% | +8.5% |
| 112 | Capital Chill | Global Radio | 249 | 225 | 179 | -20.4% | -28.1% |
| 113 | Magic Classical | Bauer Radio | 142 | 159 | 174 | +9.4% | +22.5% |
| 114 | Radio X 00s | Global Radio | 149 | 150 | 163 | +8.7% | +9.4% |
| 115 | Radio X Chilled | Global Radio | 171 | 111 | 162 | +45.9% | -5.3% |
| 116 | Nation 90s | Bauer Radio | 209 | 117 | 161 | +37.6% | -23% |
| 117 | Heart Musicals | Global Radio | 152 | 187 | 158 | -15.5% | +3.9% |
| 118 | Classic FM Movies | Global Radio | 121 | 153 | 150 | -2% | +24% |
| 119 | Mi-Soul | Bauer Radio | 84 | 116 | 123 | +6% | +46.4% |
| 120 | Nation 70s | Bauer Radio | – | 142 | 123 | -13.4% | – |
| 121 | Boom Light | Bauer Radio | 106 | 86 | 95 | +10.5% | -10.4% |
Reach figures in 000s. Bold indicates the highest reach of the three periods shown per station; “–” denotes not measured/not applicable for that period.
| Average hours per listener | % change | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Station | Group | Sep 25 | Jun 26 | Sep 26 | QoQ | YoY |
| 1 | Boom Brand | Bauer Radio | 13.6 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 0% | +6.6% |
| 2 | Boom Radio | Bauer Radio | 13.2 | 14.7 | 14.3 | -2.7% | +8.3% |
| 3 | BBC Radio 4 (including 4 Extra) | BBC | 12.1 | 12.7 | 12.9 | +1.6% | +6.6% |
| 4 | BBC Radio 4 | BBC | 11.5 | 12.1 | 12.3 | +1.7% | +7% |
| 5 | BBC Radio 2 | BBC | 10.4 | 11.2 | 10.4 | -7.1% | 0% |
| 6 | LBC (UK) | Global Radio | 10.2 | 9.7 | 10.3 | +6.2% | +1% |
| 7 | Planet Rock | Bauer Radio | 10.2 | 9.4 | 10.3 | +9.6% | +1% |
| 8 | Greatest Hits Radio | Bauer Radio | 9.1 | 9.7 | 10.0 | +3.1% | +9.9% |
| 9 | BBC 6 Music | BBC | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.8 | +1% | +1% |
| 10 | Greatest Hits Network (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 8.9 | 9.5 | 9.6 | +1.1% | +7.9% |
| 11 | Total Global Radio (UK) | Global Radio | 9.4 | 9.3 | 9.4 | +1.1% | 0% |
| 12 | Bauer Media Audio UK – Total (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.3 | +1.1% | 0% |
| 13 | LBC Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 8.9 | 8.5 | 8.9 | +4.7% | 0% |
| 14 | Times Radio | News Broadcasting | 8.5 | 8.9 | 8.8 | -1.1% | +3.5% |
| 15 | Classic FM Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 8.3 | 8.4 | 8.7 | +3.6% | +4.8% |
| 16 | Classic FM | Global Radio | 8.2 | 8.1 | 8.6 | +6.2% | +4.9% |
| 17 | Hits Radio Portfolio (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 0% | +1.2% |
| 18 | Radio X Network (UK) | Global Radio | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 0% | +3.7% |
| 19 | Talk (was TalkRadio) | News Broadcasting | 9.9 | 8.9 | 8.3 | -6.7% | -16.2% |
| 20 | BBC Radio 3 Brand | BBC | – | 8.2 | 8.3 | +1.2% | – |
| 21 | Radio X Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 7.6 | 8.2 | 7.9 | -3.7% | +3.9% |
| 22 | BBC Radio 3 | BBC | 7.7 | 8.4 | 7.8 | -7.1% | +1.3% |
| 23 | Boom Light | Bauer Radio | 9.2 | 5.5 | 7.7 | +40% | -16.3% |
| 24 | Gold Radio UK | Global Radio | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.7 | +6.9% | +6.9% |
| 25 | News Broadcasting Speech Network | News Broadcasting | 7.8 | 7.5 | 7.4 | -1.3% | -5.1% |
| 26 | BBC Radio 4 Extra | BBC | 6.6 | 6.8 | 7.3 | +7.4% | +10.6% |
| 27 | Smooth Radio Network (UK) | Global Radio | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.2 | +1.4% | +2.9% |
| 28 | Smooth Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 0% | +1.4% |
| 29 | Magic Classical | Bauer Radio | 7.7 | 6.5 | 7.0 | +7.7% | -9.1% |
| 30 | Magic Soul | Bauer Radio | 5.2 | 5.8 | 7.0 | +20.7% | +34.6% |
| 31 | Kerrang! | Bauer Radio | 6.0 | 6.2 | 7.0 | +12.9% | +16.7% |
| 32 | talkSPORT | News Broadcasting | 7.0 | 6.8 | 6.9 | +1.5% | -1.4% |
| 33 | Total News Broadcasting | Total News Broadcasting | 7.0 | 6.9 | 6.7 | -2.9% | -4.3% |
| 34 | News Broadcasting National Network | News Broadcasting | 6.9 | 6.8 | 6.7 | -1.5% | -2.9% |
| 35 | talkSPORT Network | News Broadcasting | 6.8 | 6.4 | 6.6 | +3.1% | -2.9% |
| 36 | Heart Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 0% | +1.6% |
| 37 | BBC Radio 1 Brand | BBC | – | 6.4 | 6.5 | +1.6% | – |
| 38 | Absolute Radio | Bauer Radio | 7.0 | 5.8 | 6.5 | +12.1% | -7.1% |
| 39 | Absolute Radio Network | Bauer Radio | 6.6 | 6.6 | 6.5 | -1.5% | -1.5% |
| 40 | BBC Radio 1 | BBC | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.4 | +1.6% | +1.6% |
| 41 | BBC Radio 5 live (inc. sports extra) | BBC | 6.6 | 6.1 | 6.4 | +4.9% | -3% |
| 42 | Heart Network (UK) | Global Radio | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.4 | +1.6% | +1.6% |
| 43 | Sunrise Radio National | Sunrise Radio | 4.9 | 4.9 | 6.2 | +26.5% | +26.5% |
| 44 | Radio X Classic Rock | Global Radio | 5.6 | 9.0 | 6.2 | -31.1% | +10.7% |
| 45 | Sunrise Radio Group National | Sunrise Radio | 5.1 | 4.8 | 6.1 | +27.1% | +19.6% |
| 46 | BBC Radio 5 live | BBC | 5.8 | 5.8 | 6.1 | +5.2% | +5.2% |
| 47 | Absolute 80s | Bauer Radio | 5.0 | 5.9 | 6.1 | +3.4% | +22% |
| 48 | Absolute Radio Country | Bauer Radio | 6.4 | 6.8 | 6.0 | -11.8% | -6.3% |
| 49 | Hits Radio Network (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 6.4 | 6.1 | 6.0 | -1.6% | -6.3% |
| 50 | Absolute Classic Rock | Bauer Radio | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.8 | +1.8% | +3.6% |
| 51 | Mi-Soul | Bauer Radio | 6.6 | 5.6 | 5.7 | +1.8% | -13.6% |
| 52 | Magic Network | Bauer Radio | 5.6 | 5.4 | 5.6 | +3.7% | 0% |
| 53 | Jazz FM | Bauer Radio | 4.6 | 5.1 | 5.6 | +9.8% | +21.7% |
| 54 | BBC Radio 3 Unwind | BBC | – | 5.5 | 5.6 | +1.8% | – |
| 55 | Greatest Hits Radio 60s | Bauer Radio | 6.3 | 6.4 | 5.6 | -12.5% | -11.1% |
| 56 | Capital Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 5.6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 0% | -1.8% |
| 57 | Virgin Radio | News Broadcasting | 5.3 | 6.1 | 5.5 | -9.8% | +3.8% |
| 58 | Smooth Chill | Global Radio | 6.9 | 6.5 | 5.4 | -16.9% | -21.7% |
| 59 | BBC World Service | BBC | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.4 | +8% | +8% |
| 60 | Classic FM Calm | Global Radio | 5.9 | 5.1 | 5.3 | +3.9% | -10.2% |
| 61 | Nation Broadcasting Group | Bauer Radio | 7.1 | 5.7 | 5.3 | -7% | -25.4% |
| 62 | Smooth Country | Global Radio | 5.1 | 7.1 | 5.2 | -26.8% | +2% |
| 63 | Classic FM Movies | Global Radio | 4.1 | 6.0 | 5.2 | -13.3% | +26.8% |
| 64 | Capital Network (UK) | Global Radio | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 0% | 0% |
| 65 | Capital Chill | Global Radio | 4.1 | 3.6 | 5.2 | +44.4% | +26.8% |
| 66 | BBC Asian Network UK | BBC | 4.9 | 5.3 | 5.1 | -3.8% | +4.1% |
| 67 | Heat | Bauer Radio | 2.8 | 4.6 | 5.0 | +8.7% | +78.6% |
| 68 | Magic | Bauer Radio | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.0 | -3.8% | -5.7% |
| 69 | Magic Musicals | Bauer Radio | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 0% | +2.1% |
| 70 | Greatest Hits Radio 70s | Bauer Radio | 4.0 | 4.7 | 4.8 | +2.1% | +20% |
| 71 | KISS Network | Bauer Radio | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.7 | -6% | -2.1% |
| 72 | Hits Radio | Bauer Radio | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | -2.1% | -2.1% |
| 73 | Capital Dance | Global Radio | 5.9 | 4.5 | 4.6 | +2.2% | -22% |
| 74 | BBC Radio 1Xtra | BBC | 4.4 | 5.7 | 4.5 | -21.1% | +2.3% |
| 75 | Smooth 80s | Global Radio | 3.9 | 4.8 | 4.4 | -8.3% | +12.8% |
| 76 | KISSTORY | Bauer Radio | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.2 | -4.5% | 0% |
| 77 | Heart Love | Global Radio | 4.7 | 2.3 | 4.2 | +82.6% | -10.6% |
| 78 | Heart 80s | Global Radio | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 | +2.5% | +10.8% |
| 79 | Capital XTRA Brand UK | Global Radio | 4.2 | 3.8 | 4.0 | +5.3% | -4.8% |
| 80 | Heart Dance | Global Radio | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.0 | -14.9% | -7% |
| 81 | Heart 70s | Global Radio | 4.5 | 3.3 | 4.0 | +21.2% | -11.1% |
| 82 | BBC Radio 1 Dance | BBC | – | 3.8 | 4.0 | +5.3% | – |
| 83 | Absolute Radio 90s | Bauer Radio | 4.1 | 3.7 | 4.0 | +8.1% | -2.4% |
| 84 | Mellow Magic | Bauer Radio | 4.5 | 3.9 | 4.0 | +2.6% | -11.1% |
| 85 | Virgin Radio Network | News Broadcasting | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.0 | -9.1% | -9.1% |
| 86 | BBC Radio 1 Anthems | BBC | – | 3.5 | 3.8 | +8.6% | – |
| 87 | Capital Anthems | Global Radio | 3.1 | 2.9 | 3.8 | +31% | +22.6% |
| 88 | Capital XTRA Reloaded | Global Radio | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.7 | +23.3% | +5.7% |
| 89 | Capital XTRA (UK) | Global Radio | 3.9 | 3.6 | 3.7 | +2.8% | -5.1% |
| 90 | KISS | Bauer Radio | 4.2 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 0% | -14.3% |
| 91 | BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra | BBC | 4.8 | 3.4 | 3.6 | +5.9% | -25% |
| 92 | Absolute Radio 00s | Bauer Radio | 2.6 | 4.2 | 3.6 | -14.3% | +38.5% |
| 93 | Greatest Hits Radio 80s | Bauer Radio | 3.8 | 4.4 | 3.5 | -20.5% | -7.9% |
| 94 | Smooth Relax | Global Radio | 5.0 | 3.8 | 3.5 | -7.9% | -30% |
| 95 | Nation 90s | Bauer Radio | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.4 | +41.7% | +385.7% |
| 96 | Nation 80s | Bauer Radio | 2.2 | 3.6 | 3.3 | -8.3% | +50% |
| 97 | Heart 00s | Global Radio | 3.1 | 4.4 | 3.3 | -25% | +6.5% |
| 98 | Hits Radio 90s | Bauer Radio | 3.2 | 3.8 | 3.3 | -13.2% | +3.1% |
| 99 | Heart Musicals | Global Radio | 1.5 | 2.0 | 3.2 | +60% | +113.3% |
| 100 | Heart 90s | Global Radio | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.2 | -13.5% | 0% |
| 101 | Smooth Soul | Global Radio | 3.6 | 4.7 | 3.2 | -31.9% | -11.1% |
| 102 | KISSTORY R&B | Bauer Radio | 3.6 | 3.2 | 3.0 | -6.3% | -16.7% |
| 103 | KISS Xtra | Bauer Radio | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.8 | -6.7% | 0% |
| 104 | Radio X 90s Group | Global Radio | 3.0 | 3.4 | 2.8 | -17.6% | -6.7% |
| 105 | Smooth 70s | Global Radio | 3.6 | 2.9 | 2.8 | -3.4% | -22.2% |
| 106 | LBC News (UK) | Global Radio | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 0% | +8% |
| 107 | Absolute Radio 70s | Bauer Radio | 2.3 | 2.8 | 2.7 | -3.6% | +17.4% |
| 108 | Hits Radio 00s | Bauer Radio | 3.4 | 2.8 | 2.6 | -7.1% | -23.5% |
| 109 | Radio X Chilled | Global Radio | 1.2 | 0.9 | 2.5 | +177.8% | +108.3% |
| 110 | Hits Radio Chilled | Bauer Radio | 3.6 | 2.9 | 2.4 | -17.2% | -33.3% |
| 111 | Heart 10s | Global Radio | 1.6 | 2.6 | 2.4 | -7.7% | +50% |
| 112 | Nation 70s | Bauer Radio | – | 2.5 | 2.3 | -8% | – |
| 113 | talkSPORT2 | News Broadcasting | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.3 | +4.5% | +4.5% |
| 114 | Virgin Radio Legends (was Virgin Radio Anthems) | News Broadcasting | 2.8 | 2.1 | 2.3 | +9.5% | -17.9% |
| 115 | Radio X 90s | Global Radio | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.9 | -17.4% | -5% |
| 116 | Virgin Radio Chilled | News Broadcasting | 2.1 | 1.7 | 1.8 | +5.9% | -14.3% |
| 117 | Radio X 00s | Global Radio | 2.5 | 1.8 | 1.7 | -5.6% | -32% |
| 118 | Hits Radio Pride | Bauer Radio | 1.1 | 1.9 | 1.5 | -21.1% | +36.4% |
| 119 | Absolute Radio 10s | Bauer Radio | 2.4 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0% | -37.5% |
| 120 | Virgin Radio 80s | News Broadcasting | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.1 | -21.4% | -21.4% |
| 121 | Virgin Radio 90s | News Broadcasting | – | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0% | – |
Figures show average hours listened per listener. Bold indicates the highest of the three periods shown per station; “–” denotes not measured/not applicable for that period.
| Share of listening (%) | Change (pp) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Station | Group | Sep 25 | Jun 26 | Sep 26 | QoQ | YoY |
| 1 | Total Global Radio (UK) | Global Radio | 25.4% | 24.9% | 25.3% | +0.4pp | -0.1pp |
| 2 | Bauer Media Audio UK – Total (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 19.6% | 19.0% | 19.2% | +0.2pp | -0.4pp |
| 3 | BBC Radio 2 | BBC | 13.0% | 13.3% | 12.8% | -0.5pp | -0.2pp |
| 4 | BBC Radio 4 (including 4 Extra) | BBC | 10.9% | 11.4% | 11.3% | -0.1pp | +0.4pp |
| 5 | BBC Radio 4 | BBC | 9.9% | 10.4% | 10.3% | -0.1pp | +0.4pp |
| 6 | Hits Radio Portfolio (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 10.6% | 10.3% | 10.2% | -0.1pp | -0.4pp |
| 7 | Heart Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 8.1% | 8.1% | 8.2% | +0.1pp | +0.1pp |
| 8 | Greatest Hits Network (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 6.3% | 6.4% | 6.3% | -0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 9 | Heart Network (UK) | Global Radio | 5.8% | 5.7% | 5.8% | +0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 10 | Greatest Hits Radio | Bauer Radio | 5.6% | 5.4% | 5.5% | +0.1pp | -0.1pp |
| 11 | Smooth Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 5.2% | 5.0% | 5.1% | +0.1pp | -0.1pp |
| 12 | Capital Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 5.2% | 4.7% | 4.9% | +0.2pp | -0.3pp |
| 13 | BBC Radio 1 Brand | BBC | – | 4.7% | 4.8% | +0.1pp | – |
| 14 | BBC Radio 1 | BBC | 4.5% | 4.2% | 4.3% | +0.1pp | -0.2pp |
| 15 | Total News Broadcasting | Total News Broadcasting | 4.4% | 4.3% | 4.2% | -0.1pp | -0.2pp |
| 16 | News Broadcasting National Network | News Broadcasting | 4.1% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 17 | Smooth Radio Network (UK) | Global Radio | 4.1% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 0.0pp | -0.2pp |
| 18 | Hits Radio Network (exc Partners) | Bauer Radio | 4.4% | 3.9% | 3.8% | -0.1pp | -0.6pp |
| 19 | Classic FM Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 20 | BBC Radio 5 live (inc. sports extra) | BBC | 3.7% | 3.4% | 3.6% | +0.2pp | -0.1pp |
| 21 | Absolute Radio Network | Bauer Radio | 3.6% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 0.0pp | -0.1pp |
| 22 | Classic FM | Global Radio | 3.4% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 23 | Capital Network (UK) | Global Radio | 3.6% | 3.3% | 3.4% | +0.1pp | -0.2pp |
| 24 | News Broadcasting Speech Network | News Broadcasting | 3.2% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 25 | LBC Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 2.9% | 3.0% | 3.1% | +0.1pp | +0.2pp |
| 26 | BBC Radio 5 live | BBC | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 27 | LBC (UK) | Global Radio | 2.7% | 2.7% | 2.8% | +0.1pp | +0.1pp |
| 28 | talkSPORT Network | News Broadcasting | 2.3% | 2.3% | 2.4% | +0.1pp | +0.1pp |
| 29 | BBC 6 Music | BBC | 2.6% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 0.0pp | -0.2pp |
| 30 | talkSPORT | News Broadcasting | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.3% | +0.1pp | +0.1pp |
| 31 | KISS Network | Bauer Radio | 1.6% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.0pp | +0.2pp |
| 32 | Magic Network | Bauer Radio | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.8% | +0.1pp | -0.1pp |
| 33 | Radio X Brand (UK) | Global Radio | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.8% | -0.1pp | -0.1pp |
| 34 | BBC Radio 3 Brand | BBC | – | 1.8% | 1.7% | -0.1pp | – |
| 35 | Hits Radio | Bauer Radio | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.6% | -0.1pp | -0.3pp |
| 36 | BBC Radio 3 | BBC | 1.4% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 37 | Radio X Network (UK) | Global Radio | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.5% | -0.1pp | -0.1pp |
| 38 | Planet Rock | Bauer Radio | 1.1% | 1.0% | 1.2% | +0.2pp | +0.1pp |
| 39 | Absolute Radio | Bauer Radio | 1.4% | 1.1% | 1.2% | +0.1pp | -0.2pp |
| 40 | Gold Radio UK | Global Radio | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1.2% | +0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 41 | Magic | Bauer Radio | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.0pp | -0.1pp |
| 42 | BBC Radio 4 Extra | BBC | 1.0% | 0.9% | 1.0% | +0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 43 | Boom Brand | Bauer Radio | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 44 | Boom Radio | Bauer Radio | 0.9% | 0.9% | 0.9% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 45 | Absolute 80s | Bauer Radio | 0.8% | 0.9% | 0.9% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 46 | Nation Broadcasting Group | Bauer Radio | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.9% | +0.2pp | +0.2pp |
| 47 | KISSTORY | Bauer Radio | 0.9% | 0.9% | 0.8% | -0.1pp | -0.1pp |
| 48 | Virgin Radio Network | News Broadcasting | 0.9% | 0.8% | 0.7% | -0.1pp | -0.2pp |
| 49 | Capital XTRA Brand UK | Global Radio | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.0pp | -0.1pp |
| 50 | Heart 80s | Global Radio | 0.6% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 51 | KISS | Bauer Radio | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 52 | Times Radio | News Broadcasting | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.5% | -0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 53 | Virgin Radio | News Broadcasting | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.5% | -0.1pp | -0.2pp |
| 54 | Capital XTRA (UK) | Global Radio | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.0pp | -0.1pp |
| 55 | BBC World Service | BBC | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 56 | BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra | BBC | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0pp | -0.2pp |
| 57 | Absolute Classic Rock | Bauer Radio | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0pp | -0.1pp |
| 58 | Capital Dance | Global Radio | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0pp | -0.2pp |
| 59 | Heart 90s | Global Radio | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 60 | Heart Dance | Global Radio | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.4% | -0.1pp | -0.1pp |
| 61 | Talk (was TalkRadio) | News Broadcasting | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.4% | -0.1pp | -0.1pp |
| 62 | Kerrang! | Bauer Radio | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 63 | LBC News (UK) | Global Radio | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 64 | Magic Soul | Bauer Radio | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 65 | Smooth 80s | Global Radio | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 66 | Smooth Country | Global Radio | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 67 | Heart 00s | Global Radio | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.3% | -0.2pp | 0.0pp |
| 68 | Absolute Radio 90s | Bauer Radio | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0pp | -0.1pp |
| 69 | Absolute Radio Country | Bauer Radio | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.3% | -0.1pp | -0.1pp |
| 70 | BBC Asian Network UK | BBC | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 71 | BBC Radio 1Xtra | BBC | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.3% | -0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 72 | Capital Anthems | Global Radio | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | +0.1pp | +0.1pp |
| 73 | BBC Radio 3 Unwind | BBC | – | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | – |
| 74 | BBC Radio 1 Anthems | BBC | – | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | – |
| 75 | BBC Radio 1 Dance | BBC | – | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | – |
| 76 | Absolute Radio 00s | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 77 | Greatest Hits Radio 60s | Bauer Radio | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.2% | -0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 78 | Greatest Hits Radio 70s | Bauer Radio | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 79 | Greatest Hits Radio 80s | Bauer Radio | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.2% | -0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 80 | Classic FM Calm | Global Radio | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 81 | Capital XTRA Reloaded | Global Radio | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 82 | Heat | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 83 | Hits Radio 90s | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 84 | Heart 70s | Global Radio | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | -0.1pp |
| 85 | Sunrise Radio Group National | Sunrise Radio | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 86 | Sunrise Radio National | Sunrise Radio | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 87 | Smooth Chill | Global Radio | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | -0.1pp |
| 88 | Mellow Magic | Bauer Radio | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 89 | Jazz FM | Bauer Radio | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 90 | KISSTORY R&B | Bauer Radio | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 91 | KISS Xtra | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 92 | Mi-Soul | Bauer Radio | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.1% | -0.2pp | -0.2pp |
| 93 | Magic Classical | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 94 | Magic Musicals | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 95 | Radio X Classic Rock | Global Radio | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.1% | -0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 96 | Smooth 70s | Global Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 97 | Radio X 90s Group | Global Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 98 | Nation 80s | Bauer Radio | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 99 | Nation 90s | Bauer Radio | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% | +0.1pp | +0.1pp |
| 100 | Smooth Relax | Global Radio | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.1% | -0.1pp | -0.1pp |
| 101 | Smooth Soul | Global Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 102 | talkSPORT2 | News Broadcasting | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 103 | Virgin Radio Chilled | News Broadcasting | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 104 | Virgin Radio Legends (was Virgin Radio Anthems) | News Broadcasting | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 105 | Hits Radio Chilled | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 106 | Hits Radio 00s | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 107 | Heart Love | Global Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 108 | Classic FM Movies | Global Radio | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | +0.1pp |
| 109 | Heart 10s | Global Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 110 | Absolute Radio 70s | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 111 | Capital Chill | Global Radio | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 112 | Boom Light | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.1% | +0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 113 | Absolute Radio 10s | Bauer Radio | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0pp | -0.1pp |
| 114 | Heart Musicals | Global Radio | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 115 | Hits Radio Pride | Bauer Radio | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0% | -0.1pp | 0.0pp |
| 116 | Virgin Radio 80s | News Broadcasting | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 117 | Virgin Radio 90s | News Broadcasting | – | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0pp | – |
| 118 | Radio X 00s | Global Radio | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 119 | Radio X 90s | Global Radio | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 120 | Radio X Chilled | Global Radio | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0pp | 0.0pp |
| 121 | Nation 70s | Bauer Radio | – | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0pp | – |
Figures show share of listening (%). QoQ/YoY columns show the percentage-point (pp) change, not a percent-of-value change. Bold indicates the highest of the three periods shown per station; “–” denotes not measured/not applicable for that period.
