The latest Rajar data for Quarter 2 1994 shows commercial radio further increasing its share to 47.4%; this is an increase of 8.5% points on the same period in 1993 and an increase of 2.3% points on Quarter 1 1994. Commercial radio has a reach of 59% (27.8m) compared with 53% a year ago.
Although commercial radio has increased its share, radio listening in general is down by 1% point year on year to 87% (40.8m) weekly reach.
Virgin has again improved its figures, with its highest weekly reach so far, 3.4m, compared to 3.2m in Quarter 1 1994. Total hours listened increased from 23.2m to just under 27m, taking Virgin’s share of all listening to 3.2%, up from 2.8% last quarter.
Classic FM has increased its weekly audience by 2% on the same period 1993 to a total of 4.587m listeners. Weekly reach, of 10%, remains the same. Classic’s share of total radio listening has increased by 0.1% points to 2.8%. The more detailed quarter 2 data, which is not released until next Monday, shows that ABC1 listening has increased by 8.7% to 2.963m. This means that 65% of Classic FM’s audience is now ABC1.
John Spearman, chief executive of Classic, commented, “The latest RAJAR figures are very encouraging for Classic FM – our weekly audience and, indeed, our market share remain constant, whilst at the same time our ABC1 listenership … has increased significantly”.
Atlantic 252 fared well, increasing its weekly reach year on year by 1% point to 9% (3.4m), achieving a 3.7% share of total listening, up 0.9% points on last year.
BBC Radio has continued in its decline; the latest Rajar figures show its share of listening dropping to 50.3%, compared to 57.2% a year ago, and 52.3% on quarter 1 1994. Weekly reach has dropped 5% points to 62% (28.89m).
Radio 1 has yet again suffered the most, with its total share of listening falling from 19.9% for the same period last year to just 13.3% this quarter. Weekly reach has fallen from 34% to 26% year on year. Radio 2 fared better, increasing total share of listening year on year to 12.9% from 12.6% Radio Five Live, which launched one week after the start of Quarter 2 1994, maintained its predecessor’s share of listening, achieving 2.1% share, compared to 2.0% last quarter.
