MUMBAI: The reach of all UK radio stations, put together, fell by 0.7 per cent in Q3 2015 as compared to Q2 2015. However, there was an upward trend of 0.5 per cent in Q3 2015 as compared to the same quarter last year, as per the RAJAR report that released on 29 October 2015.

The reach of all BBC radio stations in the UK witnessed an increase by 1.9 per cent in Q3 2015 as compared to Q3 2014. The increase of 1.1 per cent was reported for Q3 2015 compared to the corresponding quarter of the same year. A major jump was seen in the reach of BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, which recorded 42 per cent in Q3 2015 compared to same quarter last year. However, compared to the previous quarter, the station witnessed a reach of 6.3 per cent.

Radio 2 of the BBC network, reported the highest market share- 17.6 per cent in Q3 2015, which is same as compared to Q2 2015. Overall, the market share of all BBC Network radio stations was 53.3 per cent, a 0.4 rise in comparison to the last quarter of the same year. BBC local/ regional witnessed a fall of 0.1 per cent in market share in Q3 2015 as compared to the corresponding quarter of the same year.

The BBC’s digital-only radio stations- BBC Radio 4 Extra, 5 Live Sports Extra and 6 Music reached their record audiences. BBC Radio director Helen Boaden said, “It is fantastic to see that listeners are finding and enjoying our distinctive digital-only stations in record numbers. Radio 4 Extra’s reach continues to grow, bringing the best of the spoken-word archive now to 2.2 million people, and all of the BBC’s digital-only stations complement and strengthen our overall offer to audiences. From specialist shows to news, world-class music performances and our much-loved breakfast shows, BBC Radio caters for everyone and I’m delighted that our programmes and stations continue to play such an important part in people’s everyday lives.” The YoY share of digital radio went up by 12 per cent, and now stands at 41.9 per cent. The listening on digital in an average week now stands at 433 million hours.

The overall market share for commercial radio was 44.1 per cent in Q3 2015, which is 0.3 per cent lower as compared to the last quarter of 2015. In commercial radio, the market share of Heart Radio Networks was the highest at 6.3 per cent. The second highest market share among commercial radio was Capital Brand, followed by Smooth Radio and Kiss Network. Meanwhile, radio stations like Classic FM, Talksport and Absolute radio, registered market shares of 3.5 per cent, 2 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively.