Whilst the groups are concentrating on how well their brands are doing in the latest audience figures, we thought we'd take time out to look around the local radio stations around the UK. Starting with a sorry story in Greater Manchester at The Revolution.
The Oldham based independent station has been the hot topic of conversation for many years since the station changed from being a safe pop music station to concentrating on guitar-led music, whilst continuing its Format of local news and information. Five years ago the station peaked with a million hours, 95,000 listeners and a 9.6 per cent market share. The latest results show the station at an all time low with 86,000 hours, 19,000 listeners and a market share of just 1.1 per cent.
Original 106 in Solent, which started off with a modest 0.6 per cent share in Q1 has dropped each survey and is now on 0.4 per cent. Hours are down too per listener from 7.6 to 4.
Other interesting figures worthy of a mention are those from 107 The Bee. After a shaky start, the locally-owned station is increasing to a reputable figure, with better than average listening hours. Oak 107, which has just been sold to Lincs FM Group saw an increase in weekly reach.
We don't know what Big L's share or reach is this time, as they appear to have pulled out of RAJAR.