Rajar Q4 2017: Digital

More than 3 in 5 adults (aged 15+) currently listen to radio via a digital platform, according to the latest Rajar results for the fourth quarter of 2017.

In total, 34 million people now tune in to radio via a digitally enabled receiver – DAB, digital TV or online – each week.

In an average week, digital listening accounts for 518 million hours; DAB has a 73% share of digital listening hours, digital TV 10% and online 17%.

The growth in commercial digital listening was boosted by strong audience growth across a number of stations including Radio X, which increased reach by 26% year on year to 1.58 million listeners; Kisstory, which increased by 22.3% to 1.71 million listeners; Kiss Fresh with grew 17.5% to 578,000 listeners; and Virgin Radio which grew 46% to 483,000 listeners.

Digital listening to BBC stations grew to 48.3% from 45.5% in Q4 2016, with BBC Radio 4 exceeding 50% digital listening for the first time at 50.7% and a new record audience for its sister station, BBC Radio 4 Extra, reaching 2.26 million listeners.

In terms of online social interaction, a consistent 42% of 15-24 year old social media users claim to receive updates about their favourite radio station or presenter, with the figure slightly lower for the general adult population at 31% (no change on Q3).

26% of UK adults say they listen to radio via a mobile phone or a tablet device.