Data shows radio listening figures have risen

The latest RAJAR figures have been released today – showing a rise in the number of people tuning into their radio every week.

These figures again show the importance of having access to a radio and therefore how vital the work done by British Wireless is. 

RAJAR is the official body in charge of measuring radio audiences and the recent data covers the period from April 4th to June 26th.

There are now 48.7 million adults listening to the radio each week which is 90% of the population, a rise from the first quarter of 2015 when it stood at 47.8 million.

The total average number of weekly hours listened to for the quarter is 1.045 billion.

Numbers of people tuning into digital radio has also risen, from 57% of the population in the first quarter to 59% during the second.

On average, a listener enjoyed 21.5 hours of live radio a week and the data also shows that 30 million adults now own a DAB radio, up 10% year on year.

In an average week, digital listening accounted for 473 million hours, with DAB making up 71% of that; online 18% and DTV 11%.

Radio listening via a mobile phone or tablet also increased compared to the first quarter, with 27% of adults using these devices at least once a month, and 39% of 15-24-year-olds in the same period.

These figures show just how much the medium of radio means to people all across the UK, and for those who are visually impaired it becomes even more of a vital lifeline.

Many blind and partially sighted people can experience loneliness and isolation, but by providing them with a radio, BWBF gives them a lifeline to the world.