Radio1 stems listener decline
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The ratings decline which has seen Radio1 lose more than 4 million listeners in a year looks to be levelling off, according to official research released yesterday.
Figures published by Radio Joint Audience Research (RAJAR) showed that the network's audience slipped by 200,000 listeners in the final three months of last year, a dramatic improvement on average quarterly losses of more than 1 million during the previous year.
Overall, BBC Radio attracted an additional 180,000 listeners across all its networks, with the major gains going to Radio5-Live. Launched amid a tide of industry scepticism last March, 5-Live added a further 360,000 listeners in the final quarter of 1994, taking its weekly reach to 4.76 million. It means the network is attracting 52 per cent more listeners than its predecessor Radio5, while its weekly audience has now overtaken the three national commercial stations - Classic FM, Virgin 1215 and Atlantic 252.
The figures will come as some relief to the corporation, which has found itself under pressure during the past few weeks following the resignation of Steve Wright from Radio1 and the axing of Anderson Country from Radio4.
Although it is too early to talk about a complete vindication of the strategy introduced in autumn 1993 by Matthew Bannister, controller of Radio1, which led to younger DJs, more live music and speech, Sue Farr, BBC Radio's head of marketing, said the situation was at least "stabilising".
It was, by contrast, a disappointing quarter for commercial radio, despite the launch of five new "super" regional stations, including JFM in Manchester and Heart FM in Birmingham. Predictions that it would pass the 50 per cent threshold proved optimistic as commercial radio's share of listening held firm at 49 per cent. The BBC, overtaken last autumn for the first time, was static at 48 per cent.
Talk of the trade, page 22
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments