Radio listeners in the UK continue to favour Chris Evans’ BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, which enjoyed a 4.2% QoQ rise in weekly reach in Q1 2012.

Capital has retained its position at the top of the London chart after a 4.1% YoY increase in reach (up 0.7 QoQ) to almost 2.3 million listeners, which is its highest figure since 2004.

The latest RAJAR figures for Q1 2012 show that All Radio’s reach has dropped slightly compared with the same period last year, keeping it just below the 47 million listener mark, which it hit for the first time ever in Q1 2011.

Total Global Radio (UK) heads up the nationals and networks once again, though it recorded a -0.6% QoQ and -1.9% YoY decline in reach to 19.3 million, with the Capital brand continuing to perform well for Global.

RAJAR’s Q1 2012 release was particularly positive for Bauer’s Kiss, Absolute Radio and Global Radio’s Capital brand.

Charlie Yeates, associate director, Investment Trading at MediaCom, congratulates some of the specialist radio brands who offer nich­é and unique choices to both listeners and advertisers…

Mike Williamson, head of radio at Carat, says today’s RAJAR results represent a superb year overall but some stations need to re-focus after disappointing results…

Steve Parkinson, MD of Bauer Radio London, gives a positive view on the latest RAJAR results…

Adam Bowie, head of strategy & planning at Absolute Radio, says one concerning trend across the whole radio industry is the long-term decline of radio listening among the younger audience.

The new RAJAR radio research figures are out – and you’ll read two sets of stories today regarding digital radio.