‭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

‭ valuation: The information that I have gathered from the Radio Joint Audience‬
E
‭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

‭ valuation: This chart shows an‬

E
‭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 headlines‬‭from 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)‬

‭ valuation: This information links back to the RAJAR figures from Q3 2023. The 2023‬
E
‭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

‭ valuation:‬‭Radio Listening figures are still strong‬‭from the previous years RAJAR figures,‬
E
‭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 businesses‬‭can 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.‬

‭ valuation:‬‭This information again shows that the‬‭popularity of podcasts are growing.‬

E
‭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.‬

‭ valuation:‬‭This source has outlined‬

E
‭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.‬

‭ ource:‬‭4 Reasons Why Radio is Still Popular‬‭.‬

S
‭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

‭ valuation:‬‭This source has done some independent‬‭research. From the information that‬
E
‭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.‬
‭ ource:‬ Is Radio Still Relevant? ‭– Published July 2017‬
S
‭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’‬

‭ valuation: The information that I have gathered from this talk that Ralph Tashjain‬
E
‭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.‬

‭ ource:‬‭Radio In The Digital Age - Digital Media and‬‭Society Series – Written by Andrew‬
S
‭Dubber — Published 2014‬
‭ valuation:‬‭From this extract from ‘Radio In The Digital Age’, it tells me that Radio will still‬
E
‭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 Digital‬‭Age‬

‭●‬ ‭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.‬

‭ valuation:‬‭This report from QVT Media brings across‬‭the point that Radio is still relevant in‬
E
‭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.‬

‭ ource:‬‭BBC local radio shows suffer drop in listeners‬‭over past two years | The‬
S
‭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.”‬

‭ valuation:‬‭This information that I have gathered‬‭from this source has shown the fall of the‬
E
‭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.‬

‭ ource:‬‭The BBC’s proposals for the future of local‬‭radio - House of Commons‬

S
‭Library‬

‭●‬ A ‭ ll 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.‬

‭ valuation:‬‭This information was found on the parliament‬‭website. This is a parliamentary‬

E
‭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.‬

‭ ource:‬‭New report shows success of local radio thanks‬‭to government fund -‬

S
‭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.‬

‭ valuation:‬‭This information is part of a report from‬‭the official GOV.UK website, the‬

E
‭information shows that listeners of community radio are rising. The ‘Community Radio Fund’‬
‭ as helped new radio stations provide content for their local area, this also means that they‬
h
‭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

‭ valuation:‬‭The information is from an official GOV.UK‬‭report in Digital Radio and Audio.‬

E
‭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

‭ valuation:‬‭The information that I have gathered from‬‭this source continues to tell me that‬
E
‭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
 ‭ nd their on-air personalities. Radio gives listeners the opportunity to engage with a‬
a
‭program or personality in ways other media platforms cannot. And, many times, radio‬
‭can spark introspection and conversation with those around them.‬

‭ valuation:‬ ‭The information that I have been able‬‭to gather from this source shows that‬
E
‭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.‬

‭ ource:‬‭Is Radio Dying? Exploring the Challenges Facing‬‭the Industry” | by Saman‬

S
‭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

‭ valuation:‬‭The information that I have gathered from‬‭this source gives an alternative‬

E
‭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’.‬
‭ ource:‬‭Written Evidence to House of Lords Select Committee on Communications Inquiry‬
S
‭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.‬

‭ valuation:‬‭This Source is useful because of the perspective‬‭it gave over 13 years ago. I‬
E
‭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.‬

‭ ource:‬
S
‭The company is jointly owned by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) and by the‬
‭RadioCentre (the trade body representing the vast majority of Commercial Radio stations in‬
‭the UK).‬

‭Evaluation:‬‭This information is just a bit of useful‬‭information to let me know what RAJAR is‬
‭Source:‬‭RAJAR Q2 2023‬
‭-‬ ‭RAJAR announced 49.5 million adults or 88% of the adult (15+) UK population tuned‬
‭in to their selected radio stations each week in the second quarter of 2023. The total‬
‭average number of weekly hours listened to radio for this Quarter is 1.016 billion‬
‭hours.‬
‭Evaluation:‬‭This is just a short bit of information‬‭that I can use to compare the previous‬
‭RAJAR Figures to the ones that have been used in Q3 2023‬