The BBC's radio division has kicked off 2026 with a bang, according to the latest RAJAR figures. The corporation's radio stations continue to dominate the airwaves, with a combined weekly audience of 31.4 million people. This is a slight increase from the previous quarter, with a market share of 43.4%. The numbers are even more impressive when you consider the new brand extensions on DAB+ - Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems, and Radio 3 Unwind - which have quickly gained traction with an average of 400,000 listeners each. This is a testament to the BBC's ability to innovate and adapt to the changing audio landscape.
Greg James, the charismatic presenter of Radio 1's Breakfast Show, has been a key driver of the station's success. His Longest Ride Challenge for Comic Relief raised over £4 million, showcasing his dedication to charity and his ability to engage young listeners. BBC Radio 3 also had a strong quarter, with a total brand reach of 2.2 million, and the new Radio 3 Unwind extension attracting 388,000 listeners.
Speech radio performed exceptionally well, with BBC Radio 4 leading the pack. The station's flagship programmes, including The Archers and the Today programme, saw significant growth, with the latter attracting 5.79 million listeners during a busy news period. Radio 4 Extra also saw a boost in listeners, reaching 1.59 million weekly.
BBC Radio 5 Live and its sister station, 5 Live Sports Extra, have been on a roll, with 5.4 million and 907,000 listeners, respectively. The station's coverage of major news stories and sporting events has been a significant draw for audiences. BBC Radio 2, the UK's most-listened-to single radio station, held steady with 12.6 million weekly listeners, and Vernon Kay's Breakfast Show remains the most popular on UK radio.
BBC 6 Music, recently crowned Station of the Year at the Music Week Awards, saw a 11% increase in listeners, reaching 2.6 million. This is a testament to the station's unique blend of music and the station's ability to connect with its audience. BBC Sounds, the corporation's on-demand audio platform, also had a record-breaking first quarter, with 718 million plays of radio, podcasts, and music, up 5% year-over-year.
The BBC's Chief Content Officer, Kate Phillips, expressed her delight with the results, highlighting the corporation's commitment to providing an unrivalled music and speech offering. She emphasized the importance of live listening alongside the growing popularity of on-demand content on BBC Sounds. As the audio landscape continues to evolve, the BBC's ability to innovate and provide a diverse range of content will be crucial to its continued success.
