Radio still on the crest of an airwave as nine in 10 of us tune in

LISTENING to the radio is as popular as it has ever been, latest figures show.

Almost nine out of ten people still tune in to their favourite stations each week, despite intense competition for their attention.

The body responsible for commercial radio said the industry was now enjoying being at the heart of an “audio revolution” and was continuing to reach huge audiences via a range of devices including smart speakers and mobile phones.

Experts said new technology has given a fresh lease of life to the medium, which began as “the wireless” in 1922 with the BBC’s first broadcast from the Marconi studio in London.

Figures published by Rajar which measures radio audiences in the UK, said 87.5 per cent of people listen to the radio each week.

The figures show 48.1 million switch on for 20.3 hours, or almost three hours a day.

More than 58 per cent of listeners tune in on digital platforms, of which DAB is the biggest part on 41 per cent.

Online listening, which includes smart speakers like Google Home and Amazon’s

Alexa, stands at 12.5 per cent and is the fastest growing area, up 33 per cent year-on-year.

The rise of online listening has particularly helped commercial radio, which now has 35.1 million weekly listeners. Commercial radio body Radiocentre said: “Radio is not a box in the corner – it’s everywhere.”

MOVING images are everywhere but radio has a unique magic. About nine out of 10 people continue to listen to their favourite stations each week, new research shows. Digital radio is a success story and more people are using the likes of Amazon’s Alexa to listen online.

Radio excites the imagination with a special power and a great presenter can forge an intimate bond with millions of listeners. Long may radio’s wonderful blend of storytelling, music, conversation and reportage thrive.