Press Releases

• Record numbers tuning in to radio
• Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live increase reach
• Records for digital-only networks
• Moyles audience climbs after Kilimanjaro feat

BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live saw their audiences grow as record numbers of people tuned in to radio last quarter, according to data released today by RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research Ltd).

The figures show Radio 4 pulled in nearly 10 million listeners every week – its highest reach since Q1 2003 – while Radio 5 Live (combined with sister station Sports Extra) attracted 6.32 million listeners, its biggest audience for four years.

The data – covering the period from 5 January to 29 March – reveals a buoyant radio industry, with listening across all radio up to a record 45.76 million, a figure boosted by digital radio, which now accounts for 20% of all listening.

Among BBC digital-only networks, BBC 6 Music enjoyed a seventh consecutive record audience, while BBC Radio 7's audience edged towards a million with a record 984,000 listeners every week.

Tim Davie, Director BBC Audio & Music, said: "These figures are excellent news for the radio industry and digital radio in particular. Radio remains as relevant and popular as ever and the growth in digital listening – powered by DAB – is particularly encouraging."

All BBC Radio now has a reach of 33.81 million (from 34.22m last year and 33.52m last quarter) and a share of 56.3% (from 56.8% last year and 55.7% last quarter).

BBC Radio 1 drew 11.07 million listeners per week in the quarter (from 11.07m last year and 10.58m last quarter). Its share, at 10.3%, is up on the last quarter (10.1%) and down on last year (10.6%).

The Chris Moyles Show has 7.70 million listeners – up from 7.30 million last quarter – following the DJ's high profile climb of Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief.

BBC Radio 2 has a weekly reach of 13.46 million listeners (steady on 13.47m last quarter and 13.63m last year). Share, at 15.9%, is slightly down with the year (16.5%) and level on the quarter (15.8%).

Wake Up To Wogan has 7.78 million listeners tuning in each week (from 7.96m last quarter and 8.10m last year).

BBC Radio 3's reach rose to 1.99 million (from 1.98m last quarter and 1.80m last year). Share is 1.1%, from 0.9% last year and 1.3% last quarter.

Radio 4's reach rose to 9.98 million listeners (up from 9.56m last year and 9.81m last quarter). Its share remains steady at 12.5%, from 12.4% last quarter and 12.2% last year.

The Today programme has a weekly reach of 6.69 million listeners (up from 6.42m last year and 6.60m last quarter).

Radio 5 Live and its digital service 5 Live Sports Extra recorded a combined reach of 6.32 million – up on last year's combined total (6.01m) and on last quarter (6.11m). Joint share remains steady at 4.8%, from 4.7% last year and 5.0% last quarter. 5 Live Sports Extra has a weekly reach of 642,000.

In digital-only services, BBC 6 Music posted its seventh consecutive record reach, with 681,000 listeners – up on both year and quarter.

BBC Radio 7 has 984,000 listeners, the BBC Asian Network has 405,000 listeners and 1Xtra has a reach of 616,000.

The BBC World Service increased its reach to 1.47 million (up from 1.35m last year and 1.43m last quarter).

Notes to Editors

BBC Radio Publicity