MUMBAI: As listeners and radio audiences switch over to online music services and apps, radio as a medium in UK is suffering major losses with its sales figures dropping by 18.3 per cent in a year, according to communications regulator Ofcom in its 'Digital Progress Report'.

The sales of analogue radios fell by 1.5 million from end of June 2011-12 in, while DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) radio sales remained steady despite declining prices. A total of 6.7 million radios were sold, down from a peak of 10.4 million in 2008, which was the lowest figure recorded by the agency.

The report states that, overall 29.5 per cent of all radio is now listened to digitally, compared to 25.8 per cent a year ago and 19.6 per cent in 2009. Almost five per cent of all radio listening is now online or through apps like the iPlayer and Radioplayer which have encouraged more users to listen through their mobile devices.

The digital-only radio listening is dominated by the BBC stations, Radio 4 Extra and 6 Music, which comprise of 1.6 million and 1.4 million users respectively, who are most likely to be living in the affluent south-east part of the country.

The figures emerged as the UK government announced that it would not consider a 'digital switchover' for radio until listening is at least above 50 per cent and coverage is equal to FM.