A number of local radio stations have recorded a large increase in listening hours in the latest RAJAR results.
The station with the biggest increase in average hours per listener is Gold Crawley on 18.6, up from just 3.2 last quarter, followed by The Bee's regular large record of 17.20. Both are higher than all of the BBC's average hours combined.
Time FM 106.8, a station which closed down in March, also achieved 13.3, up from 8.1 last quarter.
In the northwest, Steve Penk's Revolution is also up with hours almost doubling from 4.8 to 8.1 per cent. Former TLRC station Dune FM is also up from 4.9 to 7.9 per cent.
"At a time when it seems everyone’s saying it’s ‘Game Over’ for local radio these are simply stunning results” says Station Manager John Evington. “Not only are more people tuning-in but they’re listening for almost double the amount of time than previously which kind of suggests they’re liking what they’re hearing."
"It's absolute vindication of our decision to go ‘back to basics’ with broad-based locally-focused radio that actually gives a damn about the area it serves”.
BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Island FM and Gold Gloucester are also enjoying average hours of 14 per cent or higher.
Pennine FM, which is currently broadcasting non-stop music after ending live programmes two weeks ago, recorded a rise from 5.6 ro 6.2 per cent. Valleys Radio, which closed last week, is up in listener numbers and hours.