RAJAR: BBC Asian Network loses 49k & Sunrise Radio 20k listeners nationally
The BBC Asian Network made the biggest loss in latest radio listening figures, published by RAJAR for the quarter ending March 2025.
The BBC Asian Network lost 49,000 in its weekly reach, while Sunrise Radio’s national service, lost 20,000 listeners during the same period. The BBC Asian Network’s weekly reach stood at 530,000 – down from 579,000. Its average listening hours per listener were up, however, from 5.3 to 5.6 hours.
Sunrise Radio National’s weekly reach was down from 360,000 to 340,000 – its average listening hours were up also from 4.4 to 5.0 hours.
Sunrise Radio’s London services also witnessed a drop with Sunrise Radio down from 145,000 to 139,000. Its average listening hours per listener stood at 4.1. There was better news for its second service, Sunrise Smooth, which saw a significant increase to its average listening hours jump from 2.8 hours to 9.9 hours – the highest for any Asian station during this quarter. Its weekly reach continued to drop though from 31,000 to 29,000.
Tony Lit MBE, Managing Director of Sunrise Radio and Sunrise Smooth, said, “Following the release of Rajar Q1 2025 this morning, I am delighted to announce that Sunrise Radio continues to lead the way in Asian Commercial Radio, as the market leader Nationally and in London. Both radio stations have also had an increase in their average weekly listening hours. A big shout out to Sunrise Smooth, which has achieved the best average weekly listening hours of any Asian commercial radio station in Q1 2025, with each person tuning in, listening for over 9 hours a week. That says a lot! I know I’ve been teasing this for a while, but within the next 10 days, I should be announcing the launch date of our Second National Commercial Radio Station, serving the British Asian community. The nation’s favorite Asian Commercial Radio Station, Sunrise Radio, is as they say, doubling down!”
Related to this
Lyca Radio Network’s two London stations saw an increase with Lyca Radio up to 122,000 from 121,000. Its average listening hours continued to drop to 2.7. Lyca Gold clocked a reach of 81,000 – up from 79,000. Average listening hours also dropped from 4.6 to 3.9 hours for Lyca Gold. In total, the Lyca Group remained the No.1 Asian commercial radio network in London, with 180,000 – up from 176,000. It is also worth adding that the gap between Lyca Radio and rival Sunrise Radio was cut to just 17,000.
Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Radio Network said, “We’re chuffed with today’s RAJAR figures for our London services. We’ve increased our reach year-on-year for both Lyca Radio and Lyca Gold. We also remain the No.1 Asian commercial radio group in London, with a further increase this quarter. As we continue to expand the network, we’re working on some exciting announcements, which will further consolidate our position in the market. A huge thanks to my wonderful team, advertisers and of course our dear listeners, who continue to choose the Lyca brand wherever they are listening in the UK.”
Meanwhile, Panjab Radio stayed consistent, with a slight drop from 105,000 to 104,000. Its average listening hours per listener also climbed from 7.3 to 7.6.
Corrected article at 08:00 – 15/05/2025
Correction: The earlier figure reported on BizAsiaLive.com for Sunrise Radio National was incorrect. Sunrise Radio National’s weekly reach was at 360,000 in Q4/24 – down by 20,000 in Q1/25.
