Source: RAJAR DATA RELEASE | QUARTER 3, 2023

● 49.5 million adults or 88% of the adult (15+) UK population tuned in to their selected
radio stations each week in the third quarter of 2023
● On average a listener tunes into 20.5 hours of Live Radio per week.
● 43 million adults aged 15+ are now tuning in to radio via a digitally enabled platform
(DAB, DTV, Online/App, or Smart speaker) each week.
● 30% of Adults claim they listen to Live Radio via a smartphone or tablet at least once
a month
● 15% of adults claim that they use the catch up radio services or listen again at least
once a month
● DAB has a 60% share of digital listening hours
● Smart Speakers have 20% of the listening hours share
● 63% of speaker users claim to use it for listening to the radio and 33% of which claim
to use it to listen to Radio everyday
● 61% of people say that they listen to radio at home
● 25% of people say they listen to radio in a vehicle
● 13% of people say they listen to the radio at work

Evaluation: The information that I have gathered from the Radio Joint Audience
Research (RAJAR) has let me know the share that Radio has. The Statistics show that
88% of the population does listen to radio and the average listener tunes in for 20.5
hours of Live Radio a week. The information also tells me about where people listen
to the radio the most, this shows that most people listen to it via a smart speaker (e.g.
Amazon Echo, Google Home) with only a small share of 25% saying that they listen to
radio in their car.

Source: UK: podcast reach 2017-2026 | Statista

Evaluation: This chart shows an

estimated number of podcast
listeners in the UK between 2017
to 2026. It is shown that the
popularity of podcasts are going
up, this tells me that podcasts
are gaining more popularity and
this could be affecting the
popularity of radio. With the
prediction that the popularity of
radio is going to keep expanding
and the ratings for radio being
lower than the previous year, it
could be the case that podcasts
are hurting the popularity of
radio in the long term.

Source: Radio industry RAJAR observations and headlines from Q3 2022

Context: These are the RAJAR Figures from Q3 2022
● 9.7 million adults or 88.8 % of the adult (15+) UK population tuned in each week
● On average a listener tunes into 20.6 hours of Live Radio per week
● 41 million adults aged 15+ are now tuning in to radio via a digitally enabled platform
(DAB, DTV, Online, App, Smart Speaker)

Evaluation: This information links back to the RAJAR figures from Q3 2023. The 2023
figures have shown the popularity of radio has decreased by 0.8% since the Q3 2022
figures. This information also tells me that there is 0.1 hours less of radio that is
listened to in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022. The information has also told me that
Radio has had a listening figure decreased by 2 million people.

Source: The ups and downs of RAJAR for Q3 2023 – RadioToday

● Radio listening remains steadfast at 49.5 million people, representing 88% of the
adult population in the latest RAJAR results for Q3, 2023.
● Commercial radio’s share of listening is once again ahead of the BBC at 54.1%
which is up from 50.9% in Q3 2022.
● In London, the Top 5 commercial stations, based on Reach, are:
○ 1. Heart (2m)
2. Capital (1.8m)
3. Magic (1.5m)
4. LBC (1.3)
5. Greatest Hits Radio (1.1m)
● Across the BBC local radio stations, 17 are up and 26 are down

Evaluation: Radio Listening figures are still strong from the previous years RAJAR figures,
but this does show commercial radio is becoming more popular than BBC Stations (and is).
The biggest commercial station is Heart.

Source: Podcast statistics UK 2023: how businesses can benefit

● Podcasts are experiencing a surge in popularity around the world, with 61% of
people, globally, reporting that they now listen to them.
● Podcasts seem to be particularly popular among younger demographics, as 75% of
18-24-year-olds and 76% of 25-34-year-olds listen to podcasts
● In the UK specifically, podcasts have a weekly reach of 19% among adults, with the
highest reach among 25-34-year-olds at 27%.
● About 68% of podcast listeners listen to an entire episode, with peak listening times
at 9 am and 5:15 pm.
●
Evaluation: This information again shows that the popularity of podcasts are growing.
Podcasts are reaching a larger population if younger audiences, this is a change from the
Radio listening figures which are shown to be leaning towards a younger audience.
Source: Rajar Q3 2023: BBC claws back share of listening - The Media Leader

● The BBC has taken some

share of listening back from
commercial radio, a small buck of a
trend that has been happening for the
previous three quarters.
● Quarterly Rajar surveys also
include on-demand music and
podcast service listening, with this
latest report finding 21.18 million
adults aged 15+ listen to an
on-demand music service and 11.25
million to a podcast once a week or
more.

Evaluation: This source has outlined

the 2022 figures of listening of BBC
Radio Services and Commercial
Radio and has also outlined the
figures for On-Demand Music and
Podcast services. This information shows the rise of the BBC Radio Services again in 2022
but also shows that music services like Spotify and Amazon Music are bringing a large
majority of listeners to Their services. Again, this information from the source also shows
that podcasts are gaining popularity.

Source: 4 Reasons Why Radio is Still Popular.

CONTEXT: This information is from an American Source
● Radio has a legacy as THE audio medium audiences are used to. It’s also easily
accessible to anyone, as most, if not all, cars come equipped with radios.
● Radio doesn't require any form of monthly subscription, due to being
advertiser-funded, unlike many current media services.
● Even podcasts are often on subscription sites such as Spotify, making radio a free
alternative when most other services are becoming increasingly costly.
● Radio adapts with changing technologies and consumer trends. Radio is now
accessible through laptops, computers, phones and even smart speakers
● The appeal of radio across demographics, drawing large listener numbers across all
ages, genders and ethnicities

Evaluation: This source has done some independent research. From the information that
this source has gotten, they have found out that Radio is the most accessible form of audio
because it is available to almost everyone. It also says that Radio doesn’t require any
subscription, this again links back to the fact that it is accessible, there is no paywall (unless
you count the BBC Licence Fee). The information also shows that radio is adapting through
the times, there are now multiple ways that people can listen to Radio via modern
technology. Since modern technology can now access radio services, the demographics of
age, gender and ethnicities are all able to listen to radio whenever they want.
Source: Is Radio Still Relevant? – Published July 2017
Context: This is a video of Ralph Tashjain, the CEO and founder of DMU, He is talking
from a professional music management perspective but is also talking from what he
experiences from where he lives (America)
● ‘Radio is going to be like Taxi Cabs’
● ‘These Technology’s on how they help you discover new music, I mean a radio can’t
do that’
● ‘What I predict they won’t have is advertising’
● ‘Radio is Important’
● ‘It becomes a matter of impressions’
● ‘You need to get as many impressions as you can, anywhere you can get them’
● ‘Record companies are still paying Indie promoters. They're paying them a fraction of
what they used to pay them.’
● The record companies have figured out they can do it themselves.
● ‘Where are you guys getting your music from, your not getting it from radio, your
getting it from the internet, your getting it from YouTube, your getting it from your
Spotify’

Evaluation: The information that I have gathered from this talk that Ralph Tashjain
held. Since Tashjain has a background in music management, he looks more at the
distribution of music on Radio instead of all round popularity. Tashjain makes the
statement that ‘Radio is going to be like taxi cabs’, in his view, the popularity of radio
is declining. Tashjain also talks about technology being the way that people can
discover new music and these websites like Spotify and Youtube being better for
artists to publish their songs because it has a high chance of being distributed to new
people. But Tashjain still makes the point that Radio Is Important, this tells me that
there isn’t a way that Radio can completely die out.

Source: Radio In The Digital Age - Digital Media and Society Series – Written by Andrew
Dubber — Published 2014
Evaluation: From this extract from ‘Radio In The Digital Age’, it tells me that Radio will still
be around and popular as long as people continue to do the same thing that they do now. It
continues to say that radio would survive because there isn’t a reason for it not to, it
continues to say that the question about the future of radio to Ira Glass was meaningless.
This information again backs up the point that Radio isn’t losing popularity and can aid me
when deciding if Radio has a future in the digital age.

Source: Why Radio is Still Relevant in the Digital Age

● Radio is personal. Radio creates a connection between the listener and the
presenter, the listener and the content, and the listener and the brand. Radio can
make you feel like you’re part of a conversation, a community, or a movement. Radio
can also tailor its content to suit your preferences, moods, and needs.
● Radio is informative. Radio provides you with timely and reliable information on
various topics, such as news, sports, entertainment, business, health, and more.
Radio can also educate you on issues that matter to you and your society, such as
politics, culture, religion, and more.
● Radio is entertaining. Radio offers you a variety of content that can entertain you,
such as music, comedy, drama, games, quizzes, and more. Radio can also inspire
you with stories of success, innovation, creativity, and more.
● Radio is adaptable. Radio has evolved with the times and embraced the new
technologies and platforms that have emerged. Radio can now be accessed through
digital streaming, podcasts, social media, and more. Radio can also integrate with
other media forms, such as video, graphics, text, and more.

Evaluation: This report from QVT Media brings across the point that Radio is still relevant in
the digital age. One of the major points that it brings across is that radio is personal to the
listener, this is because of the connection the presenters make to the listeners to make the
experience feel like a conversation. Another major point that this brings across is that radio
is informative, this is because radio keeps people up to date on topics that are important to
them and also the topics that they want to hear about, this links back to the fact that radio is
personal to the listener. The text point is that Radio is entertaining, this is because of the
amount that can happen during a radio show and the different contents that a show can
involve. The final major point that this report brings is that Radio is adaptable, they say that
radio has evolved with the times and will continue to grow, especially that radio can now be
accessed via digital streaming platforms. The information that this report has given me will
help me when coming to the final conclusion of ‘Does Radio Have A Future In The Digital
Age’, most of the information that I have been given from this source has also been given
from other sources, this means that the information and facts that I have are reliable.

Source: BBC local radio shows suffer drop in listeners over past two years | The
Independent
● The average weekly audience for local and regional stations has fallen by 20% in the
past two years, from 9.2 million in the third quarter of 2021 to 7.3 million in the same
period for 2023, according to data from research body Rajar
● The figures come as the corporation has sought to make savings in the face of high
inflation and a licence fee freeze, including plans for local radio stations to share
more content and transmit fewer programmes unique to their areas.
 ● A BBC spokesperson said the figures are “consistent” with those in the first quarter of
the year but acknowledged the “dip” over the summer months, adding: “We’re
determined to grow the impact of local radio across the country and we’ll be looking
in detail at the listening changes over the last period.
● “Alongside our commitment to local radio, we’re also growing our digital offering. For
example, online traffic to BBC Local news stories in England is up by 21% over the
last three months compared to the same period last year.”

Evaluation: This information that I have gathered from this source has shown the fall of the
National Broadcasters Radio Popularity. The facts say that the listening figures for BBC
Local Radio are falling. The article mentions that people are turning to online sources to find
news from Their local area, this means that people are losing interest in Local Radio and are
moving towards digital sources to find out what is happening in their local area.

Source: The BBC’s proposals for the future of local radio - House of Commons
Library

● All 39 BBC Local Radio stations will continue with their own dedicated local
programming from 6am to 2pm on weekdays.
● Between 2pm-6pm on weekdays, the BBC will produce 18 afternoon programmes
across England, with a number of local stations sharing programming.
● Between 6pm-10pm on weekdays, there will be ten local programmes across
England. This will also apply all day on Saturday and on Sunday mornings.
● These programmes will serve areas that broadly mirror the BBC’s existing local
television areas: North West & North East, Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, Midlands,
London & East, South and South West.
● A national ‘all-England’ programme will be launched after 10pm across the week and
from 2pm on Sundays.
● Local news bulletins and sports coverage will continue.

Evaluation: This information was found on the parliament website. This is a parliamentary
report on the BBC’s choice to cut a large portion of its local radio content. This information
tells me that Local Radio isn’t receiving enough traffic for the BBC to warrant producing
different programs for 39 local stations, this would most likely be due to the lack of listeners.

Source: New report shows success of local radio thanks to government fund -
GOV.UK
● Report shows community radio continues to go from strength to strength
● Media Minister Julia Lopez said: ‘The Community Radio Fund has been a lifeline for
local radio, benefitting listeners across the UK. We’ve been able to target this funding
at local stations that need it most and once again we’ve seen the valuable role the
radio industry plays in being responsive to connect with its listeners.’
● In the past two years the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has also
given an extra £400,000 to the Fund, in recognition of the sector’s significant
contribution to reducing loneliness and helping to level up communities.

Evaluation: This information is part of a report from the official GOV.UK website, the
information shows that listeners of community radio are rising. The ‘Community Radio Fund’
has helped new radio stations provide content for their local area, this also means that they
have also been able to increase the quality of their output for Their listeners. This information
will help me decide on the question of ‘Does Radio Have A Future In The Digital Age’.

Source: Digital radio and audio review - GOV.UK

● It has evolved to embrace new digital opportunities to maintain its universal appeal to
audiences
● New online audio formats including on-demand music streaming and podcasts from
both existing broadcasters and new entrants have emerged and grown rapidly
● Radio remains a strong, trusted medium in the UK delivering significant public value.
89% of the population tunes in every week
● Radio is a valuable and integral part of the UK creative economy with a reach across
all parts of the UK
● Over the past 10 years, listening choices have expanded greatly thanks to digital
technology and in particular to the successful development of the DAB digital radio
platform. As well as online listening, there are 574 stations available on DAB across
the UK
● There are also over 300 analogue community radio stations which collectively reach
over 1 million listeners every week
● Smart speakers, which emerged only five years ago, are owned or accessed by a
third of all adults, and account for 6% of all audio consumption. 64% of audio
consumed on a smart speaker is live radio
● Radioplayer is one example of successful cross-industry collaboration – a
broadcaster-led, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to keeping radio listening
simple on computers, smartphones, tablets and smart speakers, now with a sharp
focus on in-car listening
● As online listening increases, the challenge for broadcasters is to ensure their strong
brands continue to resonate and for the government to ensure that UK consumers
continue to have easy access to UK-generated radio and audio content
● Younger audiences who are early adopters of on-demand audio services, sometimes
at the expense of listening to live radio
● Future listening projections show that radio will retain a central role in UK media for
at least the next 10-15 years.
● Live radio will still account for over 50% of UK audio listening in the mid-2030s
● Radio’s future must be both digital and multiplatform. DAB digital radio has given
listeners a greater choice of services - with small-scale DAB opening up new
opportunities for smaller commercial and community radio services
● Radio’s audience must, it goes without saying, be central to the transition to a wholly
digital and hybrid future. So while an eventual switch-off of AM and FM networks will
help to reduce the long-term costs of dual networks, the transition needs to work for
all listeners in all parts of the UK
● The Review’s conclusion is that FM will be needed until at least 2030.
● The UK radio industry should begin preparing the ground for a possible switch-off of
analogue services at some point after 2030

Evaluation: The information is from an official GOV.UK report in Digital Radio and Audio.
There are multiple different pieces of key information that I have taken out of this report. The
main point that this report is giving is that Radio still has a massive popularity, especially with
the changing landscape of the audio industry and also the massive changes in how radio is
listened to. The report predicts that radio will retain a main part of the UK’s media landscape
for at least the next 10-15 years. The report also makes the point that the radio industry must
start to prepare for a possible switch off of FM at some point after 2030. The information that
this report has given me will impact my response on the question of ‘Does Radio Have A
Future In The Digital Age’ in a positive way, this is because most of the information that this
source has given me has been positive about how radio is changing and also how the
popularity of radio is still strong.

Source: Do People Still Listen to the Radio in 2023?.

● The radio continues to offer a unique means of accessing live information
conveniently and affordably
● Radio has adapted to smartphones with most stations available through dedicated
apps that accommodate live streaming and repeat listens
● Radio is a powerful medium for disseminating information, entertainment and culture
to diverse audiences. It is wide reaching, connecting people across geographic and
socioeconomic boundaries
● Radio fosters a sense of community, providing a platform for local voices and
promoting cultural preservation. It remains an accessible and inclusive medium,
requiring only a receiver to access a world of content
● Radio is not limited to mere entertainment; it serves as a source of information,
education and cultural preservation
● Radio is a versatile and timeless concept adapting to technological advancements

Evaluation: The information that I have gathered from this source continues to tell me that
Radio will have a future in the digital age. From the information that I have taken from this
source, radio is continuing to offer a way for people to access live information and
entertainment that is convenient and affordable. Radio can be listened to on any device, this
has now provided a way for people to listen to the radio wherever they are, as well as catch
up on Their favourite shows. Now that people can listen to the radio on Their smartphones,
they can have access to information and entertainment wherever they are. The idea that
Radio creates a sense of community is something that multiple different people connect to,
most of the time on radio the presenter speaks directly to the audience, this brings the
audience closer to the presenter. Radio is a concept that changes with the times, to me this
tells me that Radio does have a future in the digital age.

Source: 10 Reasons Radio is More Relevant Than Ever

● Radio Can Segment and Target a Specific Audience: Radio's array of formats and
stations allows advertisers to target listeners that best match their businesses needs
● Radio is 24/7: Radio is always on and always available. For generations, radio has
been a constant in our lives. Even with ongoing changes in technology and
communication platforms, radio remains a constant and a much loved reliable
familiar friend
● Radio is Interactive: Radio can be one-on-one and personal with listeners. Shows
with call-in segments give listeners an opportunity to be involved and to be heard.
Contests reward listeners for their loyalty and increase their interest in the radio
station. Polls allow listeners to see how other listeners feel about things as well.
Social media presence provides a space for personalised interaction with the stations
 and their on-air personalities. Radio gives listeners the opportunity to engage with a
program or personality in ways other media platforms cannot. And, many times, radio
can spark introspection and conversation with those around them.

Evaluation: The information that I have been able to gather from this source shows that
Radio is still relevant. The first key bit of information that I have found says that radio
stations/shows are able to target a specific audience, the source says that this is good for
advertisers but from my already existing knowledge, I know that it is good for the audience
as well, if someone is interested in a topic/genre, they are more likely to listen to a show
about that topic/genre instead of something that they aren’t interested in. With the point that
radio is 24/7, It is a solid piece of evidence again that Radio can be accessed at any time,
which backs up a few other sources. The final piece of key information that I haven’t seen
much of is that Radio is Interactive. With Radio being interactive, It draws in more listeners
because they have the chance to talk to the presenter via a message or even a phone call.
All together I think that is source will be incredibly useful towards my final outcome for the
question ‘Does Radio Have A Future In The Digital Age’, this is mainly because it backs up a
lot of the points that have already been made from previous sources, this lets me know that
the information is reliable and can be used to make the decision.

Source: Is Radio Dying? Exploring the Challenges Facing the Industry” | by Saman
Wijesighe | Medium
● In an era dominated by smartphones, streaming services, and on-demand content,
traditional radio has been grappling with a significant decline in listenership.
● One of the primary factors contributing to the declining listenership is the rapid
growth of digital platforms. Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and
podcasts have emerged as formidable alternatives to traditional radio.
● This shift towards personalised and on-demand content consumption has
significantly impacted the radio industry’s ability to attract and retain a substantial
audience.
● From music streaming apps to social media platforms, the competition for audience
attention has intensified, diverting attention away from traditional radio broadcasts.
● Devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home provide convenient access to
various audio sources, including streaming services and podcasts, making it easier
than ever for users to bypass traditional radio altogether
● Millennials and Gen Z, who have grown up in an increasingly digital world, often
prioritise convenience, customization, and interactive experiences
● To address the decline in listenership, radio broadcasters have attempted to adapt to
changing consumer habits by incorporating digital elements into their programming.
Many stations now provide online streaming options, podcast versions of popular
shows, and interactive features on their websites and social media platforms

Evaluation: The information that I have gathered from this source gives an alternative
perspective than most of the other sources I have used. The perspective of this source is
that Radio is facing the threat of Podcasts and Music Streaming, this is showing a decline in
listening figures. When comparing this against some of the listening figures that I found for
Q3 2023 from Rajar (UK Figures), This information is proving to be accurate. This will aid me
in moving forward and providing the point that Radio might be coming to its end. It will also
help me come to the final decision of ‘Does Radio Have A Future In The Digital Age’.
Source: Written Evidence to House of Lords Select Committee on Communications Inquiry
into Digital Switchover of Television and Radio –February 2010
● Radio must go digital if it is to compete for consumers’ time and remain relevant in
the future media environment.
● All sectors of the UK radio industry (Commercial Radio, Community Radio and the
BBC) support digital radio upgrade as outlined in Digital Britain and as facilitated by
the Digital Economy Bill.
● Digital Radio offers valuable benefits for listeners including more choice, easier use
and greater interactivity
● The status quo, whereby the industry is bearing the dual cost of analogue and digital
transmission, is unsustainable. In addition, the analogue spectrum is full and offers
the industry no opportunity to grow.
● As larger stations move to digital, there will be a spectrum dividend for small and
community radio stations that choose to remain on FM.
● The industry is united in its resolve to address the challenges ahead (including
expanding coverage, getting digital into more cars, cost of sets, consumer
communication and providing new content and services).
● Although the different sectors of the radio industry have different bases for their
relationship with listeners, everyone is completely focused on the need to ensure the
digital radio upgrade is genuinely consumer‐led. Noone will be left behind in the
move to digital.
● Conclusion: It is clear that radio must move decisively into the digital age. Doing so
will bring important benefits for consumers and will enable radio to retain its place at
the heart of British daily life. However, Digital Radio UK is clear that the transition
must be a carefully managed one: consumers must be at its heart, and that is why
we agree that criteria around coverage and listening should be met before a
switchover date is set. In order to achieve these criteria, the radio industry (along
with manufacturers, the motor industry, retailers etc) will have to work hard, but we
are ready for this challenge. We know that, for everyone involved, the prize will be
worth the effort.

Evaluation: This Source is useful because of the perspective it gave over 13 years ago. I
can use the information from this source and compare it to what is happening now to see
what It got right, this information is mainly about the FM switch off which is something that I
have researched previously. I can use the information that I have recently gathered from the
up to date parliamentary report and I can then compare it to this older version. This can also
help me work out if the information is accurate and if I can trust the predictions from this
source.