Radio has come along way since Canadian Reginald Fessenden made the first public audio broadcast on Christmas Eve 1906 but its appeal shows no sign of fading, with total UK weekly listening now standing at 51 million people, equivalent to 96.5% of the adult population.
That is according to the latest Rajar figures from Radiocentre, which reveal commercial radio also continues to demonstrate strong performance, reaching 40 million listeners across the UK each week (up from 39.7m in Q3 2025) equivalent to 70% of Brits.
Radiocentre insists that the figures underline commercial radio’s position as an essential channel for audiences and advertisers alike.
The study also shows that digital listening is continuing its upward trajectory. Online listening to all radio stations has grown year-on-year to 30.8% of total listening, up from 29.7% in Q3 2025, significantly ahead of AM/FM listening, which accounts for 23.6% of total listening.
Meanwhile, smart speakers remain an important driver of digital consumption, representing 18.7% of all radio listening.
Online listening now accounts for more than a third of commercial radio’s total listening hours. The share of commercial listening on Internet connected platforms has increased to a new high of 34.1%, up from 33.5% in Q3 2025, highlighting the continued shift towards connected audio platforms and devices.
Radiocentre chief executive Matt Payton said: “Radio’s record-breaking reach proves that audio remains an essential part of daily life for millions of people across the UK.
“As listening habits continue to evolve, commercial radio is thriving, attracting 40 million listeners and growing its listening hours due to more digital consumption and the resilience of broadcast platforms.
“These results are a testament to the enduring appeal of great content, trusted stations and the ability of radio to deliver both scale and targeting for brands.”
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