RAJAR – The New Methodology Explained

In January 1999 RAJAR launched a new method of measuring radio audiences. The second set of data using this new methodology will be released at 2:00pm today.

The new method reports listening on a rolling basis. Under the old system a different set of stations reported in each quarter; now all stations’ listening figures are reported every three months, with audience data being refreshed with each RAJAR release. The figures released for individual stations will be based on either the preceding 3, 6 or 12 months. The length of survey period is determined by the station’s TSA (Total Survey Area), as shown in the table below.

The data released for January to March 1999, whilst using the new methodology, only covered stations with a TSA of 4,000 or higher. Today’s data will cover all stations; those with a TSA of less than 300 have been upweighted for the January to June period in order that listening figures can be released.

Prior to January there were four RAJAR surveys a year each covering a three month period (Jan-Mar (Q1), Apr-Jun (Q2), Jul-Sep (Q3) and Oct-Dec (Q4)). The second and fourth quarters were referred to as ‘high quarters’ with all stations reporting for the April to June period and the majority of stations reporting for the October to December period. The other two periods were reserved for the national, London and large regional stations only.

Due to the methodological changes the new rolling data should not be directly compared with data compiled using the old methodology. For more information on the new methodology please refer to the RAJAR website www.rajar.co.uk.

The new data will be available on in MediaTel’s Radio Database from 2:00pm today. Analysis of the figures will be available on Newsline and in the Radio features list shortly afterwards.