Global has reported record listening hours in the latest RAJAR figures, with its portfolio reaching 29.1 million weekly listeners and generating 289 million listening hours across the UK. The media company’s market share has hit 28%, posting quarter-on-quarter growth in reach, hours, and market share.
Heart and Capital Maintain Commercial Dominance
Heart remains the UK’s biggest radio brand with over 13 million weekly listeners, placing it 355,000 ahead of the single BBC Radio 2 station. Across the Heart network, 9 of its 24 stations increased weekly reach, 13 recorded declines, and two remained unchanged. Flagship show Heart Breakfast, hosted by Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden, holds its position as the UK’s biggest commercial breakfast show with 4 million weekly listeners.
Capital grew its overall audience to 9.1 million weekly listeners, positioning the brand more than 1.5 million ahead of BBC Radio 1. Audience gains were recorded at 11 of Capital’s 17 stations, five saw declines, and one stayed unchanged. Capital Breakfast with Jordan, Chris and Siân reaches 2.7 million listeners, achieving year-on-year growth across reach, hours, and share.
Digital Expansion and Regional Growth
Seven of Global’s digital stations delivered their highest listening figures to date:
Smooth Country: 509,000 listeners
Classic FM Calm: 465,000 listeners
Heart 10s: 391,000 listeners
Smooth 70s: 359,000 listeners
Heart Love: 294,000 listeners
Radio X 90s: 275,000 listeners
Smooth Radio reaches 7.5 million listeners nationally, with audience growth reported at 10 of its 18 stations (seven declined, one remained unchanged). Regional highlights include Smooth Radio Solent, which grew its weekly reach by 27%, and Smooth Radio Thames Valley, up 20%.
In news and speech broadcasting, LBC News increased its weekly reach by 7.2% year-on-year to 1.1 million, with total listening hours jumping 17.9%. Global’s main LBC presenters also recorded year-on-year growth in both reach and total hours.
London Market Lead
In London, Global commands the top four commercial radio stations for reach: Heart, Capital, LBC, and Smooth. The company also holds the top four commercial positions for listening share and total hours in the capital with LBC, Heart, Capital, and Classic FM.
Executive Reactions
James Rea, Chief Content Officer at Global, said: “It’s brilliant to see Heart, Capital and Smooth are the top three commercial radio brands in the UK. There’s also impressive growth for some of our newer stations such as Classic FM Calm which is celebrating record numbers.”
Simon Pitts, Group CEO at Global, added: “Thank you to every Globaller who makes this possible, and to our listeners and advertisers for their continued support.”