Digital radio attracts more than a third of listeners

RAJARS:Digital radio listener numbers have risen in the first quarter of 2009 taking share of listeners tuning in via DAB or the web to over a fifth of the total (20.1).

Figures compiled by Rajar show just over one third (33%) of people listening to radio stations in the UK did so via digital means in the first three months of 2009, up from 31.4% a year ago and from 32.2% in the 4th quarter of 2008.

Listening via DAB radio sets increased from 17.9% to 19.9% year on year, while numbers tuning in via the internet rose from 6.2% to 6.8%.

The increases contrast to slight dips reported in December compared to the third quarter in 2008 reflecting “strong” Christmas DAB sales, according to DAB industry lobby group Digital Radio Development Bureau’s chief executive Tony Moretta.

The BBC and the commercial radio sector recently announced a new partnership project, The Radio Council, designed to promote the role of radio in the digital era.

The plans were unveiled last month for the group which initially comprises the BBC, Global Radio, Bauer Media and GMG and the RadioCentre.

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