RAJAR Q4 2024: More Ears, More Impact, More Opportunity

RAJAR Q4 2024 Highlights

The latest Q4 2024 RAJAR figures demonstrate the continued success of commercial radio, offering significant opportunities for audio advertising. Commercial radio now reaches 40 million listeners weekly, up from 39 million in the same period last year and 38 million in 2022.

This steady growth highlights radio’s longevity and its ability to engage audiences effectively. Notably, online listening has surged, accounting for almost a third (31.1%) of all commercial radio listening, up from 28.9% in the same quarter last year.

The overall UK radio audience remains robust, with 50.2 million people tuning in weekly, an increase from 49.5 million in Q4 2023. Commercial radio continues to widen its lead over the BBC, now reaching 8.2 million more listeners than BBC stations. 

The rise in online and smart speaker listening highlights the evolving ways that UK audiences are engaging with audio content. Smart speaker listening now accounts for 16.1% of total listening, up from 14.7% in Q4 2023, with commercial radio driving much of this growth, reaching 19.8% on these devices. For advertisers, these trends reinforce audio advertising as an effective way to connect with attentive audiences. The increasing digital consumption of radio content also offers innovative ways for brands to connect with listeners in interactive ways.

The continued rise in commercial radio listenership, alongside the growth of digital platforms, offers a strong foundation for delivering impactful audio advertising campaigns. This quarter’s RAJAR figures reinforce commercial radio’s strength and widening audience reach. As the audio landscape evolves, we remain dedicated to using these insights to create compelling and effective advertising solutions for our clients.