Digital radio listening hits 16%

Author: Russell Parsons | Published: 31 January 2008 12:30

Digital Radio Radio listening via a digital platform now accounts for 16.6 per cent of all radio consumption, according to today’s Rajar figures.

This is an increase of 1.6 per cent on the quarter three figure of 15 per cent.

The rise of digital radio continued across the board in the fourth quarter, with increases in its weekly listening reach and total listening hours across all platforms.

Digital radio’s weekly listening reach is now 29.9 per cent compared with 28.4 per cent in quarter three.

Digital listening hours now totals 169 million, an increase of 10.6 million on the quarter three figure of 153 million with listening via DAB showing the most substantial increase, up 16 per cent to 14 million hours quarter on quarter.

Fourth quarter Rajar figures show increases across all digital radio platforms with DAB, TV and the internet all seeing increases in platform share, weekly reach and total listening hours.

Impressive sales figures for DAB digital radios have contributed to the success of digital radio. A recent report compiled by electronic research group GfK further highlighted the popularity of digital radio showing that 550,000 DAB radios were sold in December, a 22 per cent rise on the same month in 2006.

However, a recent report published by media and telecoms specialist Enders Analysis did strike a note of caution, stating the high cost of broadcasting transmission and slow growth in revenue had undermined confidence in digital audio broadcasting

Listening to radio via mobile phone has increased by 21 per cent compared with the same period last year. The number of adults aged 15+ who claim to have listened to the radio via a mobile jumped from 7.8 per cent in quarter four last year compared with 9.4 per cent this quarter.