RAJAR: BBC Asian Network loses over 80k listeners in Q4/19

The BBC Asian Network lost over 80,000 listeners in latest radio listening figures for Q4/19 published by RAJAR today.

The BBC Asian Network delivered a weekly reach of 519,000 listeners – down from 602,000 listeners in Q3/19, that’s 13.8% down quarter-on-quarter. However, its listening hours increased from 3.7 hours to 4.4 hours. The station’s share was static at 0.2%. Year-on-year, the BBC Asian Network was also down by 1.5%.

A BBC spokesperson said, “BBC Asian Network remains the UK’s most listened to Asian radio station as we continue to expand our offer for younger audiences; over half a million listeners tune in every week with a further 1.4 million engaging with our content across social media and YouTube. The station continues to demonstrate its distinctive commitment to new British Asian music and provides a unique platform for creativity, entertainment and impactful debate that proves popular with our younger audiences.”

National rival station, Sunrise Radio also suffered a loss but not as large as the BBC Asian Network. The commercial service dropped 65,000 listeners in Q4/19 – from 383,000 listeners down to 318,000 listeners currently. Its listening hours increased slightly from 4.0 hours to 4.2 hours. Its share fell from 0.2% to 0.1%. Year-on-year, Sunrise Radio was up by 5.0%. This time last year, the station clocked up a reach of 303,000 listeners.

Tony Lit, MBE & Managing Director Sunrise Radio, said, “RAJAR Q4 2019 was released this morning and once again confirmed Sunrise Radio as the UK’s unrivalled market leader in commercial Asian radio, consecutively since its launch in 1989. Sunrise Radio is now the only national commercial Asian service and its weekly reach is up year on year. In London Sunrise Radio has 74% more weekly listeners than its nearest Asian commercial radio competitor.

Sunrise Radio continues to provide its loyal audience with the best in Asian music – Bollywood Hits & Punjabi Desi Beats as well as great entertainment including interviews and competitions with some amazing prizes. Sunrise is also committed to raising awareness of important issues to its audience and last month announced its partnership with CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) the only UK charity dedicated to preventing young sudden cardiac death through specialist screening and research. Every week in the UK 12 apparently fit and healthy young people under 35 die suddenly from an undiagnosed heart defect. In 80% of these cases no sign or symptoms have shown until it’s too late. Sunrise is working with CRY to raise awareness and encourage screening of those aged 14-35.

Sunrise continues to see a significant growth in audience of those listening live on Sunriseradio.com and downloads of our free App, ‘Sunrise Radio National’ are coming in thick and fast.”

Also Read:
RAJAR: Sunrise Radio witnesses significant drop in London during Q4/19