The latest RAJAR Q3 2025 results paint a fascinating picture of how the UK continues to listen to radio. Far from fading in a streaming-dominated world, radio remains a cornerstone of British life, reaching millions of people every week. The story this quarter is one of quiet strength and digital evolution: while traditional broadcast still holds firm, digital platforms, from DAB to smart speakers, now account for a large share of listening.
It’s also been a quarter of shifting dynamics. Commercial radio continues to close the gap on the BBC, with brands like Heart, Capital, and Magic finding and maintaining momentum.
Meanwhile, the rise of niche and mood-based formats, particularly Chill and Sport stations, shows that listeners are increasingly seeking out audio that fits the rhythm of their daily lives. More than ever, radio is reflecting not just what people want to hear, but how, when, and where they want to hear it.
The total UK radio weekly reach edged up 0.3% quarter-on-quarter to 50.1 million listeners, maintaining an 86% weekly reach of adults 15+. Commercial radio marginally extended its market share to 56%, up from 53.3% last year. BBC radio now holds 41.7%. Listening via DAB and digital platforms now accounts for 77% of all hours, up from 75% a year ago. Online and app-based listening continues to grow, particularly among under-35s, a group that’s redefining what “radio” even means. For many younger listeners, tuning in doesn’t mean twisting a dial, but tapping a screen or asking Alexa to “play talkSPORT.”
What's happening with BBC radio
BBC Radio 2 remains the UK’s most listened-to station, reaching 12.8 million weekly listeners, up 1.3% on the quarter. Radio 1 stayed dominant among younger audiences, whilst BBC Local Radio combined reached 6.7 million. In the lead-up to the Q3 2025 RAJAR figures, local BBC regional stations focused heavily on content that leveraged their unique position as trusted local news sources, delivering stories with direct community impact.
BBC Radio Somerset saw standout growth, with weekly reach up 45% from 40,000 to 58,000 and total hours up 20%. BBC Lancashire rose 23%, and BBC Radio Bristol improved reach by 12%. These numbers show that when local voices tell local stories, engagement follows.
The continued rise of News Broadcasting
It’s been another great run for News Broadcasting, with a massive 6.3 million people tuning in each week and 44.4 million listening hours across talkSPORT, Virgin Radio, Times Radio, Talk, and U105.
talkSPORT reached 3.4 million listeners and 22 million listening hours, up 10.8% year-on-year. talkSPORT2 also grew, attracting 408,000 listeners and 893,000 hours (+5.6%). Major sporting coverage included the British and Irish Lions tour, the Lionesses’ European title defence, and the Usyk–Dubois heavyweight clash, events that continue to draw loyal and passionate audiences.
Talk, the opinion-led station, attracted an impressive 506,000 listeners and recorded 5 million total listening hours, representing a 19.4% increase compared with the previous quarter. This strong growth highlights the station’s continued success in engaging audiences and establishing itself as a leading voice in national discussion. By consistently delivering thought-provoking content and facilitating lively debate on the UK’s most significant stories, Talk continues to strengthen its reputation as a platform where opinions are shared, challenged, and heard across the country.
Times Radio grew listening hours by 13.4% year-on-year to 4.8 million, reaching 564,000 weekly listeners (+1.3%). Its fifth anniversary saw the station cover major political and international events, from the first anniversary of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to the Putin–Trump summit.
What the RAJAR figures mean to broadcast PR
The RAJAR Q3 2025 results reinforce a powerful message: radio continues to evolve, not erode, in the face of digital transformation. In a world dominated by streaming services and on-demand content, radio still connects with over 50 million listeners each week a testament to its unique blend of accessibility, authenticity, and trust.
What’s most striking this quarter is how seamlessly digital listening has become part of the everyday radio experience. With 77% of all listening hours now taking place through digital platforms, the UK audience has clearly embraced the flexibility of DAB, apps, and smart speakers. This shift isn’t just about technology it’s about convenience, personalisation, and the ability to tune in anywhere, anytime.
Commercial radio’s growing momentum also speaks volumes. Heart, Capital, Magic, and other major brands continue to strengthen their reach, while niche and mood-based stations from Chill to Sport formats capture audiences who crave audio that reflects their lifestyle and mindset. At the same time, the BBC’s enduring influence, particularly across its local and regional stations, highlights how trusted, community-driven content remains vital. The success stories from Somerset, Lancashire, and Bristol prove that when radio serves local needs, audiences respond.
We believe there are good opportunities on News Broadcasting – the consistent growth across talkSPORT, Virgin Radio, Times Radio, and Talk reflects an appetite for diverse, opinion-driven audio that sparks national conversation.
In all, Q3 2025 paints a portrait of a medium that’s confident, connected, and constantly reinventing itself. Radio’s magic lies in its adaptability, blending the best of tradition with the innovation of digital. It continues to entertain, inform, and unite people across generations and geographies. The frequencies may be shifting, but the heartbeat of radio remains as strong as ever.
Interested in securing more radio for your next PR campaign?
Read about our radio days – which offer high quality, guaranteed levels of coverage, on national and regional radio in the UK. Click here to read more. https://shoutcommunications.co.uk/what-we-do/broadcast-media-relations/radio-public-relations/
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