December 1999 RAJAR – Local Commercial Stations

Local commercial radio saw a decline in listening share for the December 1999 RAJAR period, from 39.2% in September 1999 to 38.4% for this three month period. At the same time, the sector’s overall weekly reach grew slightly by 0.7% to 26.2 million listeners. Average hours, on the other hand, dropped back by 0.7% to 14.8 per listener per week.

The following tables show the best and worst performers, in terms of weekly reach and share of listening, of the local commercial stations broadcasting outside London. Birmingham’s Galaxy 102.2, which reported its first RAJAR figure last quarter, is still performing well with reach up a further 21.0% to 266,000. Down at the other end of the scale are four of GWR Group’s Classic Gold stations, all showing audience declines of over 15%.

Two stations report for the first time in this RAJAR survey. London’s Millennium Radio took a 0.4% share of listening and had a weekly reach of 19,000 listeners; Tower FM, which broadcasts from Bolton, had a 3.1% share of listening and an average weekly reach of 36,000.

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For an explanation of the new RAJAR methodology and how and when the stations report, click RAJAR – The New Methodology Explained.