RAJAR Results for Bauer Media Audio

Bauer Media Audio UK is celebrating an impressive reach of 21m weekly listeners tuning into its portfolio of owned stations each week.

These Q1 2026 RAJAR figures reinforce Bauer’s position as a leader in the industry, contributing significantly to the overall UK commercial radio reach of 39.3million people.

 

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Audio at Scale: Reaching the UK Like Nothing Else

Radio continues to be one of the most powerful mass-reach media channels in the UK and Bauer Media sits firmly at the heart of it.

Build Awareness Faster: 

39.3 million people listen to commercial radio every week, reaching 86% of the UK population

Across Bauer Media, 20.6 million people tune in weekly, delivering meaningful national scale for advertisers

85% of Bauer listening now happens on a digital device, 10% higher than the industry average

Strong Networks, Loyal Audiences

Bauer’s flagship networks continue to deliver consistent, high-quality audiences at scale.

  • The Hits Radio Network attracts 6.5 million weekly listeners, with 3.8 million tuning in to Hits Radio each week

  • Greatest Hits Radio reaches 5.7 million weekly listeners, with 6.8 million across the wider network

RAJAR Montage

Leading the Way in Digital Audio

  • 32% of Bauer listening now takes place via connected devices, ahead of the industry average of 30%

  • 5.5 million listeners tune in via smart speakers every week, highlighting how embedded Bauer stations are in listeners’ daily routines; at home, in kitchens, offices and living rooms

This shift towards connected listening creates more opportunities for advertisers to reach audiences in highly engaged, brand-safe environments, with the added flexibility and targeting benefits of digital audio.

Home to the UK’s Top Digital-Only Stations

We’re proud to be home to 4 of the UK’s top 5 digital-only commercial radio stations:

  • Absolute Radio

  • KISSTORY

  • Absolute 80s

  • KISS

Absolute Radio and KISSTORY hold the top two spots, cementing Bauer’s position at the forefront of digital audio innovation.

For advertisers, this means access to premium, well-defined audiences through brands that listeners actively choose… not just stumble across.

What This Means for Advertisers

These figures highlight a simple truth: audio remains unmatched for reach, trust and consistency, and Bauer Media delivers it at national scale, with a digital-first audience.

Whether you’re looking to build brand awareness, drive response, or reach audiences through smart speakers and connected devices, Bauer Media offers advertisers a platform that is both mass and modern.

Contact Us Today To Find Out More

Sources: RAJAR Q1 2026, exc. partner stations