Online listening now has a 29.1% share, compared to just 26.6% for AM/FM.
Heart Breakfast grew its weekly reach by 3.3% year on year, as host Jamie Theakston returned to the show in mid-January following a leave of absence to receive cancer treatment.
Commercial radio’s audience share expanded marginally in Q1, according to the latest Rajars, with Global maintaining mid-single-digit year-on-year growth.
Total share of digital listening rebounded from last quarter, growing 1.1 percentage points to 73.3%, according to the latest Rajar figures.
Commercial radio listening fell modestly from Q3 to Q4 to 39.9m, but listeners still grew by 2% year on year.
Commercial audiences helped drive 1.6% growth in total radio listening in Q4 as Global capped off a strong year of growth despite a milder quarter for listening.
The presenter was absent for much of Q4 amid a successful cancer treatment, but the popular breakfast show managed to grow listeners and remain the top commercial broadcast in its timeslot.
Total share of digital listening fell in Q4 and ended roughly flat year on year, according to the latest Rajar figures.
BBC Radio 4’s morning show saw a notable jump in listening, while Global’s Capital Breakfast continued to capitalise on the popularity of new presenter Jordan North.
The BBC grew its share of listening for the first time in a year, even as both Global and Bauer posted year-on-year increases in weekly reach.
