GCap Media's Classic FM remains the biggest commercial radio station this quarter. An extra 140,000 people are now listening, taking its audience to almost six million listeners every week. Virgin Radio remains steady with 1.5m and talkSPORT with 2.3m.
Every single weekday programme on Classic FM has grown its audience over the past three months, with morning show presenter Simon Bates the most powerful man on commercial radio. His show now attracts 3.062 million listeners, a rise of 146,000 people on the quarter.
Classic FM’s evening chillout show Smooth Classics At Seven, presented by John Brunning has also seen a surge in listeners, with its audience up by 114,000 people to 1.643 million over the last three months.
Classic FM managing director Darren Henley said: “With a big jump in listeners to programmes such as Smooth Classics At Seven, Classic FM is the destination of choice for people who want to relax, regardless of their age or background. As the world becomes ever more hectic in the 21st century, classical music still has a vital role to perform as an escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life”.
Virgin Radio continues to lead the industry in digital radio with 20% of all listening over digital platforms, compared to 15% industry average.
David Lloyd, newly installed programme director at Virgin Radio, said, “This is a great time to pick up the baton as the station's new Programme Director, with a focussed music format poised to win. Christian's year on year growth is impressive. He is one of UK radio’s premier names and yesterday was short-listed by the European Radio Awards, along with four other Virgin Radio nominations. This is testament to the quality of programming from the station. Our digital performance also shows the unique position we have to build a leading UK digital brand, underpinned by our loyal AM audience”.