RAJAR: BBC Asian Network adds nearly 50k listeners in Q3/25 data
The BBC Asian Network remained the No.1 Asian radio broadcaster in the UK, after it added 49,000 listeners in latest radio listening figures for Q3/25.
RAJAR, the audience measuring body, which surveys listeners for subscribed radio stations, put BBC Asian Network in front with a reach of 566,000. Previously, in Q1/25, BBC Asian Network registered 530,000, followed by 517,000 in Q2/25. Its average listening hours per listener was slightly down from 5.1 to 4.9 in Q3/25.
Ahmed Hussain, Head of BBC Asian Network said: “It’s fantastic to see that Asian Network has increased its audience to 570,000 weekly listeners and we have received a further 11.37 million views across YouTube and social media in the last quarter. We are proud to continue championing British Asian music and for our diverse audience.”
Sunrise Radio National was consistent, with a drop of 5,000 listeners. It was down from 333,000 in Q2/25 to 328,000 in Q3/25. Over the past year, Sunrise Radio National has delivered 370,000 in Q3/24, 360,000 in Q4/24, 340,000 in Q1/25 and 333,000 in Q2/25. Average listening hours per listener for Sunrise Radio National remained 4.9.
Tony Lit MBE, Managing Director of Sunrise Radio, said, “Once again, following the release of Rajar Q3 2025, I’m delighted to confirm Sunrise Radio as the market leader in UK Asian commercial radio, both in London & Nationwide. Sunrise Radio has maintained its lead ahead of its commercial Asian competitors nationally and in London, and has also had an increase in listeners and total listening hours in London. Sunrise reaches another milestone, broadcasting for 36 years on the 5th of November, and as the trailblazers of British Asian Radio, we shall be announcing officially, the super exciting news about the launch of two new radio stations, one in London and one nationwide, in the next few days. The tentative launch date of these two new stations is the 5th of November 2025. I would like to thank our listeners, our long-standing commercial partners and the Sunrise Team. Sunrise Radio, the Greatest Asian radio station in the world.”
Locally, Sunrise Radio in Greater London extended the gap over its rival, Lyca Radio, by adding 11,000 listeners. The gap between Sunrise Radio and Lyca Radio stood at 26,000 listeners. Sunrise Radio consolidated its position as the No.1 Asian radio station in Greater London with 151,000 in Q3/25, compared to Lyca Radio with 125,000 during the same period.
Lyca Radio’s sister channel, Lyca Gold Radio delivered its highest ever reach and crossed the 100,000 mark. It delivered 109,000 in Q3/25 – up from 92,000 in Q2/25 – an increase of 17,000 listeners. It is worth stating that the Lyca Group – consisting of Lyca Radio and Lyca Gold remained the No.1 Asian commercial radio network in London with a reach of 192,000.
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Raj Baddhan, Chief Executive Officer of Lyca Radio Network, said, “We are delighted with the latest RAJAR figures, which once again confirm the Lyca Group’s leading position in the Greater London market. The combined reach of Lyca Radio and Lyca Gold is now approaching 200,000 listeners. Notably, Lyca Gold Radio has achieved its highest ever weekly reach, with 109,000 listeners tuning in each week. We are immensely grateful to our loyal audience for their continued support, as we press ahead with our ambitious expansion plans across the UK.”
Sunrise Smooth, the easy-listening playlist station was down slightly from 39,000 to 37,000. Its average listening hours per listener was up again from 5.7 in Q2/25 to 6.1 in Q3/25.
Panjab Radio was down by 14,000 listeners from 101,000 in Q2/25 to 87,000 in Q3/25. Its average listening hours per listener remained the highest amongst South Asian radio stations with 7.3 hours.
Surjit Singh Ghuman MBE, Managing Director of Panjab Radio, stated, “We remain deeply grateful to the loyal listeners of Panjab Radio, which continues to lead in listening hours compared to our competitors. As we make significant investments across both radio and television platforms, we are genuinely enthusiastic about the promising developments in the months ahead for Panjab Radio.”
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Last updated: 17:30 – 23/10/2025
