RAJAR Results: Steady increase for DAB

Listening to radio via DAB digital radio remained almost unchanged in data supplied by RAJAR for Q4/09.

DAB listening now stands at 13.7 per cent from 13.3 per cent in the previous quarter. However the number of adults living in a household with a DAB receiver has increased by 500,000.

Digital only station Jazz FM is seeing more people tune in via mobile phones, and now has an audience of 446,000, up 30,000. Chief Executive Richard Wheatly says, “We were astonished by the extent of the take up of listening to Jazz FM via mobile, which I�۪m sure is due to the strength of our Brand. I�۪m delighted that these new audiences have translated directly into Rajars. We�۪ve also seen a surge in our ABC1 listening, which we believe is linked to this new mobile audience.”

Ford Ennals, Chief Executive, Digital Radio UK, commented, “It�۪s encouraging to see steady and sustained growth in both digital set listening and ownership, and stability across all platforms. It�۪s also notable that analogue listening now accounts for only two thirds of all listening, and within homes this figures is lower still at 54 per cent. Given that 75 per cent of all new portable radios purchased are digital, this is no surprise.”

The percentage share of all radio listening via a digital platform has increased by just 14 per cent in the past year to 20.9 from 18.3 and remained almost static quarter on quarter.