Commercial radio in the UK achieved its highest-ever ad revenue in 2025, according to Radiocentre data published today.
Revenue hit £747m, surpassing the previous record set in 2022 of £740m.
Performance was largely driven by continued, steady growth in digital audio, which rose 14.9% year-on-year, from £77.9m to £89.5m.
Increased listening via connected devices reflects this growth and offers advertisers more opportunities to reach listeners across varied locations and on the go.
Notably, the figures revealed that revenue against commercial broadcasters’ digital audio formats has almost doubled since 2018, up from £45.4m to £89.5m.
This is reflective of evolving listening habits, where Rajar Midas showed a 107% increase in total commercial audio connected listening hours and a 56% increase in commercial audio connected adult reach in the same period.
These results demonstrate the medium’s transition to a multi-platform offering to advertisers, with broadcast providing highly trusted and expansive reach. While digital audio enables precision targeting and contextual messaging.
Studies such as High Gain Audio highlighted the high profit-ROI of radio and its strong appeal to advertisers, helping achieve success in both the short-term and long-term.
CEO of Radiocentre, Matt Payton, said: “Reaching record revenues underlines the strength of UK commercial radio and its evolving multiplatform offer.
“Advertisers are increasingly embracing the combined power of broadcast and digital audio, where scale, targeting and proven effectiveness drive results.
“Audio’s reach, impact and strong ROI performance is providing brands with a compelling offer and continued confidence to invest in the medium in the future.”
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