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United Kingdom - Current situation - History

20.05.2022
Rajar listening data published on 19 May 2022 confirmed the predominance of digital radio platforms in the United Kingdom 

  • Digital listening share increased to a new record of 67.9%, up from 64.5% in Q4 2021, boosted by the growth of online listening including via smart speakers.

  • Digital reach is also at a new record with 42 million adults, or 75% of the population, tuning in via a digital platform each week, up from 40 million or 72% in Q4 2021.

  • Digital platforms now account for 72% of all commercial radio listening and 65% of all BBC radio listening.

  • Listening via DAB remains the most popular platform for radio listening, accounting for 41% of all listening and 60% of digital listening while listening via DTV accounts for 4.5% of all listening and 7% of digital listening.  Listening via analogue platforms now accounts for under a third (32%) of all radio listening.

  • Digital listening in home increased to 72%, up from 69% quarter on quarter, and digital listening in car increased to 54%, up from 51% quarter on quarter.

Small-scale DAB

The Ofcom small-scale programme is extensive and will potentially see the launch of up to 200 small-scale multiplexes throughout the UK over an extended period of 10 years.

The first small scale DAB multiplex launched on 10 December 2021, after several years of trials. The multiplex, managed and operated by Teesside firm MUX ONE, was launched in Tynemouth and South Shields in the north east of England, and sees 13 stations launched with more to follow in the coming months.

In a second round of licensing, Ofcom has awarded 17 new small scale multiplex licences, taking the total to 42. It has also published a review of its first two rounds of licensing.

Ofcom small-scale licensing roll-out timetable:

  • September 2020: Round One licences advertised
  • July 2021: Completion of Round One licence awards
  • August 2022 - January 2023: Deadline for Round One multiplex launches
  • June 2021: Round Two licences advertised (North west England and north east Wales ‘macro area’)
  • May 2022: Round Two licences awarded
  • November 2023: Deadline for Round Two multiplex launche
  • January 2022: Round Three licences advertised
  • Autumn 2022: Round Four licences advertised
12.05.2022
Rajar listening data published on 28 October 2021 confirmed the predominance of digital radio platforms in the United Kingdom 
  • Digital listening surged to 65.8% of all radio listening
  • DAB is now the predominant platform for radio listening accounting for 43% of all listening compared to 34.2% for AM/FM
  • New digital stations deliver strong performances
  • Digital listening now accounts for the majority of in car listening at 53%

According to RAJAR data published on 28 October 2021, digital listening in the UK surged to 65.8% of all radio listening. DAB is now the predominant platform for radio listening accounting for 43% of all listening compared to 34.2% for AM/FM.

The strong performance of digital platforms has been boosted by the launch of a number of new digital stations.

Digital listening in car now accounts for 53% of all in car listening, with DAB in car accounting for 46.6% of listening (compared to AM/FM’s 33.1%).

Commenting on the October 2021 RAJAR data, Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK said: ‘’The new RAJAR listening data for Q3 2021 confirms the importance of digital listening and digital platforms which now account for two thirds of all radio listening. It’s funny to consider that some radio industry commentators used to question the viability of DAB which is now comfortably the predominant radio platform accounting for 25% more hours of listening than FM and AM combined. It’s good to see the new distinctive digital-only stations launched during the pandemic finding audiences and supporting digital growth.”

Small-scale DAB

The Ofcom small-scale programme is extensive and will potentially see the launch of up to 200 small-scale multiplexes throughout the UK over an extended period of 10 years.

The first small scale DAB multiplex launched on 10 December 2021, after several years of trials. The multiplex, managed and operated by Teesside firm MUX ONE, was launched in Tynemouth and South Shields in the north east of England, and sees 13 stations launched with more to follow in the coming months.

In a second round of licensing, Ofcom has awarded 17 new small scale multiplex licences, taking the total to 42. It has also published a review of its first two rounds of licensing.

Ofcom small-scale licensing roll-out timetable:

  • September 2020: Round One licences advertised
  • July 2021: Completion of Round One licence awards
  • August 2022 - January 2023: Deadline for Round One multiplex launches
  • June 2021: Round Two licences advertised (North west England and north east Wales ‘macro area’)
  • May 2022: Round Two licences awarded
  • November 2023: Deadline for Round Two multiplex launche
  • January 2022: Round Three licences advertised
  • Autumn 2022: Round Four licences advertised
09.05.2022
Rajar listening data published on 28 October 2021 confirmed the predominance of digital radio platforms in the United Kingdom 
  • Digital listening surged to 65.8% of all radio listening
  • DAB is now the predominant platform for radio listening accounting for 43% of all listening compared to 34.2% for AM/FM
  • New digital stations deliver strong performances
  • Digital listening now accounts for the majority of in car listening at 53%

According to RAJAR data published on 28 October 2021, digital listening in the UK surged to 65.8% of all radio listening. DAB is now the predominant platform for radio listening accounting for 43% of all listening compared to 34.2% for AM/FM.

The strong performance of digital platforms has been boosted by the launch of a number of new digital stations.

Digital listening in car now accounts for 53% of all in car listening, with DAB in car accounting for 46.6% of listening (compared to AM/FM’s 33.1%).

Commenting on the October 2021 RAJAR data, Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK said: ‘’The new RAJAR listening data for Q3 2021 confirms the importance of digital listening and digital platforms which now account for two thirds of all radio listening. It’s funny to consider that some radio industry commentators used to question the viability of DAB which is now comfortably the predominant radio platform accounting for 25% more hours of listening than FM and AM combined. It’s good to see the new distinctive digital-only stations launched during the pandemic finding audiences and supporting digital growth.”

Small-scale DAB

The Ofcom small-scale programme is extensive and will potentially see the launch of up to 200 small-scale multiplexes throughout the UK over an extended period of 10 years.

The first small scale DAB multiplex launched on 10 December 2021, after several years of trials. The multiplex, managed and operated by Teesside firm MUX ONE, was launched in Tynemouth and South Shields in the north east of England, and sees 13 stations launched with more to follow in the coming months.

Ofcom licensing roll-out timetable:

  • September 2020: Round One licences advertised
  • July 2021: Completion of Round One licence awards
  • August 2022 - January 2023: Deadline for Round One multiplex launches
  • June 2021: Round Two licences advertised (North west England and north east Wales ‘macro area’)
  • May 2022: Round Two licences awarded
  • November 2023: Deadline for Round Two multiplex launche
  • January 2022: Round Three licences advertised
  • Autumn 2022: Round Four licences advertised