According to the latest Rajar audience measurement figures, Absolute, which rebranded from Virgin Radio last year, had an average of 1.7 million listeners in the first three months of 2009, compared with the 1.5 million that it recorded in the last quarter of 2008.
Other radio stations that performed well over the quarter included Capital Radio, which increased its number of listeners by 15 per cent period on period, and Heart, which was up 4.6 per cent period on period.
Classic FM retained its position as the UK's most popular commercial radio station, although its audience figures fell 3.7 per cent year on year and 5.1 per cent period on period to 5.4 million.
Of the BBC radio stations, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4 both performed well, up 11 per cent and 4.4 per cent year-on-year respectively, while BBC 6 Music also saw a major increase in listeners, up 31 per cent year on year.
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