RAJAR Results Q2 2005:BBC Rises At A Cost To Commercial Rivals

The BBC saw its radio operations perform well in the second half of 2005, with the Corporation increasing its weekly reach and share of listening for both national and local stations at a cost to commercial rivals, which suffered dips overall.

However, there were some increases in share of listening and average hours per listener for national commercial stations, despite negative growth in local commercial radio.

Share Of Listening

Britain’s national commercial stations saw some year on year increases in share of listening during the second quarter, with All National Commercial adding 0.1% points to push its total to 10.2%.

The figure remains unchanged from the first quarter of the year, however, although this is likely to be welcomed given All BBC’s dip in share since the last RAJAR data release.

The Corporation’s year on year rise of 0.9% points is dampened slightly by a period on period decline of 0.2% points, although BBC Local Radio has seen a year on year increase of 0.1%, while BBC Local/Regional remained steady year on year and added 0.1% points period on period.

All Local Commercial saw the largest decline, meanwhile, with a 1.1% point downturn in share of listening year on year.

Weekly Reach

The BBC saw increases in its weekly reach overall, with All BBC notching up a 1.51% rise year on year. The Corporation continues to reach more listeners than its commercial rivals, with All BBC’s total standing at 32,885 compared to All Commercial’s 31,199. However, some comfort can be found in period on period analysis, where All Commercial radio can be seen enjoying a 0.72% increase, although this is still less than All BBC at 1%.

All BBC Network Radio saw a respectable 0.77% increase year on year, while All National Commercial suffered a 1.05% dip in the same period. Under period on period analysis this looks more optimistic, as the decline is lessened to 0.28%.

Local Commercial radio was again the source of the largest year on year decline, shedding 1.55% of its weekly reach to total 25,522. However, this represents a rise of 0.39% period on period, while BBC Local Radio is seen losing 1.15% year on year and 1.69% period on period.

BBC Local/Regional is also seen in a poor light, losing 1.18% from its weekly reach year on year and 1.12% period on period.

Average Hours Per Listener

All National Commercial painted a happier picture in average hours per listener, with a 1.2% increase in both year on year, and period on period analysis.

The BBC also saw its average hours increase for national services, as All BBC Network Radio added 1.27% year on year, but suffered a decrease of 0.62% period on period.

Local services were again in decline within the commercial sector, as All Local Commercial suffered a 1.39% dip year on year. However, this figure represents a 1.42% increase period on period.

The BBC’s local services were more fortunate, with BBC Local Radio increasing its average hours per listener by 2.61% year on year and 1.72% period on period.

BBC Local/Regional more successful still in period on period analysis, adding 3.57% and 0.87% year on year.

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