United Kingdom - Current situation - History
28.10.2021
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
In February 2021, Ofcom announced the first ever awards of small-scale radio multiplex licences. Following a competitive process, where each applicant was judged against specific criteria, licences were awarded in five areas - Derry/Londonderry to Foyle DAB Limited; Glasgow to Nation Digital Investments Limited; Salisbury to Muxcast One Limited; Tynemouth & South Shields to Mux One Limited; Welsh Valleys to GTFM (South Wales) Limited.
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
26.04.2021
The UK industry measurement survey, RAJAR, which uses some elements of face to face recruitment in its methodology, was suspended after Q1 2020 due to Covid restrictions. Plans are in progress for a new methodology and measurement will be resumed in due course.
DAB+ listening
In the UK, 40% of all listening is done on DAB+ (Q1 2020)
Small-scale DAB
In February 2021, Ofcom announced the first ever awards of small-scale radio multiplex licences. Following a competitive process, where each applicant was judged against specific criteria, licences were awarded in five areas - Derry/Londonderry to Foyle DAB Limited; Glasgow to Nation Digital Investments Limited; Salisbury to Muxcast One Limited; Tynemouth & South Shields to Mux One Limited; Welsh Valleys to GTFM (South Wales) Limited.
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
KEY DIGITAL RADIO FACTS AND FIGURES:
- Digital listening share has increased to a new record of 58.6% in Q1 2020, up from 56.4% in Q1 2019 - representing a 4% growth in share percentage
- Digital reach is also at a new record with 36.9 million adults, or 67% of the population, tuning in via a digital platform, up from 36.3m in Q1 2019
KEY DAB FACTS AND FIGURES:
- Listening via DAB now accounts for 40% of all listening and 69% of digital listening, while listening via DTV now accounts for 4% of all listening and 8% of digital listening (Q1 2020)
- Digital listening in car maintained the new record set in the last quarter at 44.5% of all in car listening and growing by 5.5million hours or 5.5% year on year (Q1 2020)
- With 95% of new cars now coming with DAB as standard (Source: Q4 2019, CAP/SMMT), the majority of in car growth was to DAB which increased by 14 million hours or 15.6% (Q4 2019)
Bayerischer Rundfunk,
22.02.2021
DAB+ listening
In the UK, 40% of all listening is done on DAB+ (Q1 2020)
Implementation of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC)
In June 2020, the UK's Department for Transport published a consultation on their proposal to mandate the fitment of terrestrial digital radio in new cars as part of their implementation of the EU Electronic Communications Code.
In August 2020 the necessary legal regulations were approved by Parliament to support the mandating of the fitment of digital radio in passenger vehicles in the UK. The new order, which comes into force in September 2020, is in line with the EU's EECC directive, which mandates digital radio in new cars across Europe.
More information is available here
Small-scale DAB
In February 2021, Ofcom announced the first ever awards of small-scale radio multiplex licences. Following a competitive process, where each applicant was judged against specific criteria, licences were awarded in five areas - Derry/Londonderry to Foyle DAB Limited; Glasgow to Nation Digital Investments Limited; Salisbury to Muxcast One Limited; Tynemouth & South Shields to Mux One Limited; Welsh Valleys to GTFM (South Wales) Limited.
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
KEY DIGITAL RADIO FACTS AND FIGURES:
- Digital listening share has increased to a new record of 58.6% in Q1 2020, up from 56.4% in Q1 2019 - representing a 4% growth in share percentage
- Digital reach is also at a new record with 36.9 million adults, or 67% of the population, tuning in via a digital platform, up from 36.3m in Q1 2019
KEY DAB FACTS AND FIGURES:
- Listening via DAB now accounts for 40% of all listening and 69% of digital listening, while listening via DTV now accounts for 4% of all listening and 8% of digital listening (Q1 2020)
- Digital listening in car maintained the new record set in the last quarter at 44.5% of all in car listening and growing by 5.5million hours or 5.5% year on year (Q1 2020)
- With 95% of new cars now coming with DAB as standard (Source: Q4 2019, CAP/SMMT), the majority of in car growth was to DAB which increased by 14 million hours or 15.6% (Q4 2019)
Bayerischer Rundfunk,