6 Music hits almost 1.9m digital listeners

Digital radio listening is now one third of all listening, with over 25 million people now tuning in to a digital signal, up 2.1 million year on year.

42% of the population now has a digital radio set, up from 40.3% in Q4 2011. This equates to 22 million adults now having a digital radio, up 6% year on year.

DAB ownership however is only up 9%, with 21.1% of all listening done via DAB.

BBC 6 Music grew 31% in reach and overtook Radio 4 Extra to be the number 1 digital-only station with almost 1.9 million listeners.

Radio listening online and via apps on mobile devices also grew.

Planet Rock has seen an eight per cent increase since last year. Chairman Malcolm Bluemel said: “This consistent growth confirms our place at the forefront of digital radio in this country and we would like to thank our ever growing audience for their ongoing support”.

Jazz FM has seen a slight dip in reach but is now boasting over 3million listening hours, compared with 2million 12 months ago.

Carter Tanner, Managing Director said: “We have simplified the programming schedule and reestablished the familiar Jazz FM mix of jazz, soul and blues across daytime as well as evenings and weekends, which has been well received by our listeners, as reflected in record hours and our new peak half hour at 5pm on week days.”

Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, says: “I am delighted with these results. Digital radio continues to transform the way people listen to the radio and one third of all listening to digital platforms represents an important milestone.

“With a third of all new cars now having digital radio as standard, improvements to national and local DAB coverage and the positive impact of the D Love industry campaign, we are making good progress in the lead-up to a Government decision later this year.”