Digital listening in the UK has moved closer to the magic 50% mark by reaching a new record share of 48.7%, according to RAJAR Q2 2017 data. 1.5m additional adults are now listening via a digital platform, compared to Q2 2016, taking digital reach to 33 million people and for the first time over 60% of the population at 61.2%.
Digital listening across 10-64 years olds combined is already above 50% at 50.8%, and there are now four age groups with a digital share of over 50% (10-14; 15-24s; 35-44s; 45- 54s year olds).
Digital listening across commercial and BBC radio is approaching 50% and both have grown digital listening share to 49.4% and 48% respectively. Digital listening has grown across both national and local stations, with national digital listening hours increasing to 57.3%, and local digital listening hours to 33.5%.
In car digital listening hours have grown by 20% year on year and have reached a new record share of 29.7%, supported by over 700,000 new cars on UK roads with DAB digital radio as standard in Q1 2017 alone (Q1 2016 CAP/SMMT). Digital listening in cars has contributed to 38% of all digital listening hourly growth.
Niocast Digital's Head of Content, John Evington says: "these latest results are very positive for DAB which now accounts for 71% of all digital listening. Others are following our lead to adopt the more efficient DAB+ standard which offers higher audio quality and more services per multiplex - as evidenced by the explosion of new and unique formats here in Manchester. The impending rollout of small-scale DAB+ nationwide will further accelerate the migration to digital listening which now seems unstoppable".
Digital listening across 10-64 years olds combined is already above 50% at 50.8%, and there are now four age groups with a digital share of over 50% (10-14; 15-24s; 35-44s; 45- 54s year olds).
Digital listening across commercial and BBC radio is approaching 50% and both have grown digital listening share to 49.4% and 48% respectively. Digital listening has grown across both national and local stations, with national digital listening hours increasing to 57.3%, and local digital listening hours to 33.5%.
In car digital listening hours have grown by 20% year on year and have reached a new record share of 29.7%, supported by over 700,000 new cars on UK roads with DAB digital radio as standard in Q1 2017 alone (Q1 2016 CAP/SMMT). Digital listening in cars has contributed to 38% of all digital listening hourly growth.
Niocast Digital's Head of Content, John Evington says: "these latest results are very positive for DAB which now accounts for 71% of all digital listening. Others are following our lead to adopt the more efficient DAB+ standard which offers higher audio quality and more services per multiplex - as evidenced by the explosion of new and unique formats here in Manchester. The impending rollout of small-scale DAB+ nationwide will further accelerate the migration to digital listening which now seems unstoppable".
The Niocast Digital 'Family' of Services - September 2015 - August 2017
Source: RAJAR/Ipsos MORI/RSMB Q2 2017