Local Radio Makes Gains In Latest RAJAR Report

The share of listening held by commercial radio stations and by public service stations increased by the same amount in the last quarter, according to the latest RAJAR figures released this morning. All commercial and All BBC both increased their share of the radio audience by 0.1% in the three months ending June 2000.

The increases were pushed by local radio in both categories: BBC Local Radio was up 0.3%; Local Commercial made gains of 0.2% during the period. National Commercial stations fell back 0.2% however, and BBC Network stations slipped 0.1%.

A year on year analysis, however, shows the BBC making gains while the audience share for commercial stations falls back. All BBC rose by 2.1% for the yearly period to June 2000, while All Commercial slipped 2.0%.

Period on period, weekly reach fell across most categories. BBC Local and Regional took the sharpest tumble, falling 7.9% during the three month period to the end of June 2000. BBC Local Radio fell 7.3% and All National Commercial dropped by 6.3%. All Commercial continues to make slight gains on All BBC however – commercial radio now reaches 566,000 more listeners than public service radio.

A year on year analysis, however, shows All BBC making gains; it increased it weekly reach by 1.8%, with BBC Network Radio up by 2.0%. All National Commercial slipped 5.6% over the year, however.

The average hours per listener increased by 2.2% in the three month period; the average weekly hours spent listening to radio is now 23.6. BBC Local and BBC Local/Regional saw the greatest increases, rising 20.6% and 16.8% respectively.

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