Greatest Hits Radio DOUBLES its audience as Bauer brands thrive in latest RAJAR

Bauer Media Audio UK has reached an all-time high with 24 million weekly listeners across its owned and partner stations, marking a 6.9% year-over-year increase. This surge is driving growth in both the commercial radio market, now with a record 39.7 million weekly listeners, and the total radio market, which reaches an unprecedented 50 million people each week.

Greatest Hits Radio continues its remarkable ascent, nearing 8 million listeners. The Absolute Radio Network also celebrates record reach this quarter, and the Magic Radio Network has gained nearly 400,000 listeners over the past year.

Highlights from this quarter include:

• Greatest Hits Radio boasts 7.7 million weekly listeners, a 50.3% year-over-year increase. Simon Mayo hosts the top commercial drivetime show, Ken Bruce has garnered 3.8 million listeners (up 73% year-over-year) in his first year, and Rossie at Breakfast has a record 2.9 million listeners (up 39% year-over-year).

• The Hits Radio Network reaches 6.7 million weekly listeners, with the national Hits Radio brand drawing 4.5 million.

• The Hits Radio Portfolio, which combines audiences from Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio, hits a record 13.2 million listeners, a 20.1% year-over-year increase, and 15 million listeners, a 14% year-over-year increase, when partner stations are included.

• The Absolute Radio Network achieves a record 5.5 million listeners, a 2.7% year-over-year increase, with Absolute Radio being the UK’s largest commercial digital station.

• The Magic Radio Network’s audience grows to a record 4.4 million listeners, up 9.6% year-over-year, with Magic Radio at 3.1 million listeners (up 7.7% year-over-year) and Magic Soul reaching a record 512,000 listeners (up 18.5% year-over-year).

• The KISS Network reaches 4.1 million weekly listeners, while Kerrang! Radio’s listenership increases by a third to 456,000.

Bauer maintains 81% of its listening via digital devices and hosts three of the top five digital commercial stations: Absolute Radio (#1), KISSTORY (#2), and Absolute 80s (#4). Bauer also leads the market in listening through connected devices, with 30.8% of its audience tuning in via smart speakers, web, and apps.

Simon Myciunka, CEO of Bauer Media Audio UK, commented, “This record performance reflects our ambition and confidence as we continue to evolve. We are committed to driving further growth, as seen with our significant investment in Hits Radio, providing even more value for our advertising partners.”

Ben Cooper, Chief Content & Music Officer, added, “Ken Bruce’s first year on Greatest Hits Radio has reshaped our industry, significantly boosting our audience. Listeners are enjoying our talented broadcasters across the portfolio, with record results for the Absolute Radio and Magic Radio Networks.”