BBC increases lead over commercial radio

Source: mad.co.uk | Author: Branwell Johnson | Published: 31 January 2008 10:30

listening Commercial radio has lost ground to the BBC and seen its share of listeners drop nearly one per cent, according the latest Rajar figures.

Commercial radio saw its share drop from 43.3 per cent to 42.4 per cent for the fourth quarter. However, it retains the lead, albeit a shrinking one, in the desirable 14-44 year-old demographic with 53.1 per cent. It saw a bigger drop for the 45 plus bracket, falling one per cent to 33.5 per cent.

Commercial radio’s national brands – Classic FM, Talksport and Virgin Radio – saw share drop from 11.6 per cent to 11.3 per cent.

BBC Radio 4 was the big winner for the corporation, increasing share from 11.2 per cent to 11.8 per cent while BBC Radio 1’s share fell quarter on quarter by 0.3 per cent to 10.3 per cent.

However, the station’s jewel in the crown, the Chris Moyles Show, went from strength to strength with an increase in reach to 7.31 million, up from 6.98 last quarter.

Radio 5 Live and its digital service BBC 5 Live Sports Extra saw a combined jump to a reach of 6.174 million, up on last quarter’s 5.65 million.