RAJAR: KISS enjoys phenomenal audience growth as millions tune in to Hits Radio

KISS has recorded a major rise in listeners following its relaunch, while Hits Radio and the wider Bauer Media Audio UK portfolio continue to attract millions of people across the country.

KISS is celebrating a significant boost in audience figures, with the latest RAJAR results revealing impressive year-on-year growth for the station and its breakfast show.

The latest listening figures come as radio audiences across the UK reach a record high, underlining the enduring popularity of the medium and the continued appeal of live presenters, music and entertainment.

Following its relaunch earlier this year, KISS has increased its audience by 29% year on year, reaching 1.7 million weekly listeners. The wider KISS Network now attracts 3.9 million people every week, representing a 12% annual increase.

The station’s breakfast presenters, Tyler West and Chloe Burrows, are also enjoying a strong performance, with their show recording 29% year-on-year listener growth.

KISS has also seen substantial progress across its digital platforms, with views rising by 35%. Its YouTube views have doubled, while Instagram has recorded a 78% increase year on year.

The figures mark a positive period for the brand as it continues to build on its refreshed identity and connect with younger audiences through radio, social media and digital listening.

Hits Radio continues to reach millions

KISS is not the only Bauer Media Audio UK brand celebrating a successful set of results, with Hits Radio and its associated stations also attracting substantial audiences.

The Hits Radio Network reaches 6.6 million weekly listeners, while the wider Hits Radio Portfolio, which includes Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio, attracts 12.2 million people. That figure rises to 14.5 million when partner stations are included.

Hits Radio’s appeal is supported by a varied line-up of presenters and programmes, bringing music, celebrity interviews, entertainment and conversation to listeners throughout the day.

Breakfast with Fleur East is among the key shows in the schedule, with the presenter bringing her energetic personality and entertainment background to the start of the morning. Will Best and James Barr also feature in the station’s presenting line-up, helping deliver a mix of music and personality-led broadcasting.

The schedule extends beyond the daytime hours, with Sam Thompson and Marvin Humes among the presenters bringing their own styles to Hits Radio. Their shows add to the station’s entertainment offering, giving audiences further opportunities to tune in for music, conversation and familiar voices.

Alongside its main station, Hits Radio is also benefiting from strong performances across its decade-focused spin-offs. Hits Radio 90s has recorded year-on-year audience growth of 31%, while Hits Radio 00s is up by 33%, with both stations achieving record audiences.

The results highlight the strength of the Hits Radio brand across different musical eras, allowing listeners to choose stations that suit their tastes while remaining within the wider network.

Greatest Hits Radio and Absolute Radio also celebrate success

Elsewhere across Bauer Media Audio UK’s portfolio, several established radio brands have recorded positive results.

Greatest Hits Radio continues to attract a substantial audience, with its network reaching 6.8 million weekly listeners. Ken Bruce also retains his position as the nation’s most-listened-to commercial radio presenter and show, according to the latest figures.

Its 80s spin-off station has achieved an all-time-high audience of 644,000, representing year-on-year growth of 12.6%.

The Absolute Radio Network has also increased its audience this quarter, reaching 5.5 million listeners. Absolute Radio 00s is another success story, with its weekly audience rising by 22% year on year to a record 582,000.

Magic Radio is continuing to make progress, too. The Magic Radio Network reaches 3.4 million people each week, while its main station has grown by 4.2% quarter on quarter to reach 2.3 million weekly listeners.

Rock music fans are also contributing to Bauer’s overall performance, with Planet Rock attracting 1.2 million weekly listeners, up 7.9% year on year. Kerrang! Radio has reached 646,000 listeners, representing an annual increase of 12.7%.

The latest results demonstrate how Bauer’s range of stations continues to appeal to audiences with different musical preferences, from contemporary hits and nostalgic favourites to rock classics.

Digital listening remains a major part of radio’s success

The latest RAJAR figures reveal that radio continues to play a significant role in everyday life across the UK.

Radio now reaches 87% of the population, equivalent to 51.2 million weekly listeners, with overall audience numbers increasing by 2% year on year.

Digital listening accounts for 76% of all radio listening hours, while 31% of listening takes place online through apps and smart speakers.

Bauer Media Audio UK is also performing strongly in the digital space, with four of the top five digital radio stations belonging to its portfolio.

Absolute Radio holds the number one position, followed by KISSTORY at number two. KISS ranks fourth, while Absolute 80s takes fifth place.

These figures reflect the growing importance of making radio accessible across multiple platforms, allowing audiences to listen at home, while travelling or whenever it fits into their daily routines.

For broadcasters, the combination of traditional radio listening, streaming and social media offers further opportunities to build relationships with audiences beyond the live broadcast.

Bauer Media Audio UK celebrates continued growth

Simon Myciunka, Bauer Media’s President of Audio and CEO for Bauer Media Audio UK, said: “Radio has reached a new record audience this quarter, and commercial radio continues to lead the way, accounting for more than half of all listening. At a time when human connection is more important than ever, almost two in five people listen to our stations every week. Our brands are part of the nation’s daily lives, from the school run to winding down at night. That connection is exactly why advertisers keep coming back to audio.”

Gary Stein, Director of Audio at Bauer Media Audio UK, also welcomed the latest results, highlighting the progress made by KISS following its relaunch and the work of its breakfast presenters.

He said: “It’s been a great quarter across the portfolio. KISS has had a brilliant year since its relaunch, and Tyler and Chloe have made Breakfast fun, unpredictable and genuinely part of their listeners’ mornings. It’s also great to see so many of our other brands growing, from the Hits Radio, Absolute Radio and Magic Radio Networks to Planet Rock. That’s down to talented presenters and teams who know their audiences inside out, so a big thank you to everyone on air and behind the scenes.”

Radio’s popularity shows no signs of slowing

With KISS recording impressive growth, Hits Radio attracting millions of listeners and several other Bauer stations reaching new audience milestones, the latest RAJAR figures provide a positive picture for commercial radio.

KISS’s performance is particularly notable following its relaunch, while the success of Tyler West and Chloe Burrows demonstrates the continuing importance of breakfast radio in building loyal audiences.

At Hits Radio, a schedule featuring presenters including Fleur East, Will Best, James Barr, Sam Thompson and Marvin Humes helps maintain the station’s focus on music and entertainment throughout the day.

With digital platforms becoming increasingly important alongside traditional broadcasts, Bauer’s results also highlight the value of reaching audiences wherever they choose to listen.

As radio listening reaches record levels across the UK, the latest figures suggest that a combination of recognisable presenters, music-led programming and accessible digital services continues to keep the medium firmly in the nation’s daily routine.

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