The latest RAJAR results (Q1 2025) are in and the message is loud and clear: radio is thriving, digital listening is surging, and Bauer Media continues to lead the way.

Across the UK, 87% of the population tunes in to radio every week. That’s a powerful reminder of radio’s enduring reach and with 21.8 million weekly listeners across Bauer stations, we’re proud to be at the heart of it.

But it’s not just about how many people are listening, it’s about how they’re listening.

Digital Listening: Bauer Sets the Pace

In Q1 2025, 83% of Bauer’s listening happened via digital devices, a full 10% above the industry average. Whether through smart speakers, mobile apps, or online streams, listeners are connecting with our stations across every platform.

That digital dominance opens new doors for advertisers:

• Targeted digital audio campaigns based on location, interest, or behaviour
• Opportunities to reach engaged listeners across multiple devices
• Seamless integration with broader digital strategies

We also now reach 5.7 million listeners via smart speakers alone, making us the audio partner of choice for brands looking to be heard in the home.

Station Highlights: Trusted Brands, Record-Breaking Growth

The latest RAJAR results show strong performances across the Bauer portfolio:

Greatest Hits Radio

• The most listened-to commercial radio station in the UK
• 62 million listening hours
• A record-breaking 3.1 million breakfast listeners with Rossie (+5.9% YoY)
• 7.5 million weekly listeners (excl. partners)

Hits Radio Network

• 7.1 million weekly listeners
• Audience growth of +5.7% year-on-year

Absolute Radio Network

• 5.6 million weekly listeners (+1.6% YoY)
• Record reach for Absolute 90s (1.1M), Country, 00s, and 10s

Magic Radio Network

• 3.6 million weekly listeners (+3.2% quarter-on-quarter)
• Magic at the Musicals reaches 327K with 1.3M listening hours, up 53% YoY

KISS Network

• 3.9 million weekly listeners (+2.6% QoQ)
• KISSTORY R&B reaches 580K with 2.2M listening hours (+16.5% YoY)

These results showcase the power of trusted radio brands to grow, evolve, and consistently deliver engaged, loyal audiences.

What This Means for Advertisers

At a time when attention is fragmented and digital noise is louder than ever, radio continues to cut through. These RAJAR figures prove:

• Scale: With over 23.4 million weekly listeners across Bauer and partner stations, you’ll reach real people, at real scale.
• Engagement: Listeners aren’t just hearing your ad, they’re absorbing it. Radio is an active, companion medium.
• Trust: Radio consistently ranks as one of the most trusted media formats in the UK.
• Flexibility: From traditional spot airtime to advanced Digital Audio targeting, Bauer offers a solution to suit every business objective and budget.

Ready to Make Radio Work for You?

Whether you’re looking to build brand awareness, drive response, or connect with new audiences through smart speaker and digital audio campaigns, now’s the perfect time to harness the power of radio.

Get in touch with our team or explore your options.

Let’s turn listener attention into brand action.