Market share for commercial radio is up to 43.9 per cent in the three months to 15 September, while the BBC's market share showed a dip to 53.4 per cent.
Although the changes are marginal, compared to commercial radio's 43.3 per cent market share during the same quarter last year, and the BBC's 54.2 per cent, they show a continuing interest in commercial radio.
Leading figures from the industry met with politicians yesterday (23 October) at the House of Commons to celebrate 40 years of radio and discuss the results of a survey conducted by Kantar Media, which showed its content is worth £1.5 billion in kind to listeners.
Global-owned Capital enjoyed a buoyant quarter and is now the biggest national network. Capital stations have an average weekly reach of 7.72 million across the UK, up 4.7 per cent quarter on quarter and almost 13 per cent year on year.Capital's success meant it leapfrogged the previous national leader, its sister network Heart, which reached an average of 7.56 million listeners a week, up 3.1 per cent quarter on quarter, while Classic FM netted a national audience of 5.3 million.
But stations making large percentage year-on-year gains include the digital stations Absolute 80s (35.1 per cent) and Planet Rock UK (37.8 per cent) as well as South Asian station Sunrise Radio (38 per cent), although they have a small market share.
Rajar's weekly figures show commercial radio hit 34,406,000 listeners last quarter, averaging 13.1 hours each.
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