High Gain Audio analysis shows that both broadcast radio and digital audio consistently outperform the all-media average.
Audience measurement matters. But it is not where the budget battle is being lost, says the founder of media research and econometrics agency, Colourtext.
Commercial radio’s audience share saw a 1% decline from the last quarter and now accounts for 55.2% of total listening, compared to the BBC’s 42.8%.
Top commercial breakfast programme Heart Breakfast with Jamie and Amanda (Global) grew its weekly reach by 5% year-on-year and saw a 5% quarter-on-quarter increase from Q3 2025, according to the latest Rajar figures.
Welcome to the Brief for Wednesday 17 December, The Media Leader’s round-up of media news.
The Government has opened the door to advertising and Netflix-style subscriptions as part of the BBC Charter Review. The commercial radio industry says it is not “commercially viable.”
Commercial radio extended its share of total listening to record highs, with Global leading the way. Digital listening continues to drive growth.
Global’s Heart Breakfast show saw a marginal 0.2% year on year growth despite a quarter-on quarter decline of 3.1%.
Commercial listening now accounts for 56% of total listening, compared to the BBC’s 41.7%.
Online listening now has a 29.7% share, compared to just 26.2% for AM/FM.