Real & Smooth improve under Hold Separate

It’s been a good quarter for Real Radio and Smooth Radio as the group has increased audience figures both quarter on quarter and year on year.

Real and Smooth Radio Limited has 5.7 million adult listeners tuning into one if its national, regional or local stations every week, an increase of over 260,000 (year on year) and up 163,000 on the quarter. The stations have listeners tuning in for 46.1 million adult listening hours each week.

However, Real Radio North East has continued to lose listeners since its rebrand from Century, reporting its lowest ever figure of 238,000 listeners and Real Radio Wales continues to lose average and total hours.

The group’s only digital spin-off station Smooth 70s has also seen an increase in listeners, making it the third biggest digital-only commercial station behind Planet Rock and Absolute 80s.

Group Managing Director for Real and Smooth Ltd Andy Carter said: “I’m delighted with the results this quarter has produced, with rises in reach across the group. To have 5.7 million adult listeners tuning into our stations every week is a wonderful achievement and testament to the hard work, commitment and talent we have on both Real and Smooth Radio.

“Smooth Radio maintains a fantastic reach and to see Smooth 70s continue to grow audience is proof the brand is connecting with our listeners via the digital platform.”