More And More People Continue To Listen To Radio

More And More People Continue To Listen To Radio
Emma Mackenzie
By Emma Mackenzie



Well, if the latest figures from Commercial Radio Australia are anything to go by, Aussies just can’t get enough of radio.

The listening numbers for 2015 show an increase of 1.8 per cent from 2014, and up 6.2 per cent across the past two years.

The numbers also suggest younger audiences are continuing to listen to commercial broadcast radio, as there’s 30,000 more people in the 18-24 age brackets that are tuning in.

“Radio is also continuing to stay relevant to younger audiences, with 30,000 more listeners in the 18-24 age group turning in, which points to a positive outlook for the future,” said Joan Warner, CEO of Commercial Radio Australia.

Here’s a snapshot from the past five years of people tuning into radio.

Commercial radio listeners, five metro markets. Sources: Gfk Radio Ratings, Survey 1 to 8, 2014-2015 and Nielsen Survey 1 to 8, 2011-2013. Total People 10+, Mon-Sun, midnight to midnight unless stated otherwise, all commercial and digital listening.

Commercial radio listeners, five metro markets. Sources: Gfk Radio Ratings, Survey 1 to 8, 2014-2015 and Nielsen Survey 1 to 8, 2011-2013. Total People 10+, Mon-Sun, midnight to midnight unless stated otherwise, all commercial and digital listening.

The data is based on the surveys from research company GfK, who measure the radio ratings.

Breakfast radio saw 7.4 million people tuning in, of which the last survey for 2015 saw in Macqaurie Radio’s 3AW with Ross & John dominating in Melbourne, 2GB with Alan Jones number one in Sydney, ABC first in Brisbane, Australian Radio Network’s MIX102.3 first in Adelaide and Southern Cross Austereo’s MIS94.5 top in Perth.

And some 6.9 million tuned in to the drive slot. In Melbourne, SCA’s Hamish & Andy were winning in drive, ABC dominated in Sydney, NOVA’s Kate, Tim & Marty were number one in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Read more about the radio ratings here.

These figures are up from 7.3 million for brekkie and 6.8 million for drive in 2014.

The positive numbers go hand in hand with ad spend increasing this past year too. According to the Standard Media Index, ad bookings for radio have increased 7.8 per cent over the last 12 months.

“2015 was a very good year for commercial radio, with listener numbers rising to record levels and a healthy increase in audiences for both the critical breakfast and drive time shifts,” said Warner.

And while various other platforms such as podcasts and streaming services have come into play, Warner is confident the mass broadcast medium will maintain its appeal.

“People are listening to radio via multiple platforms, but traditional broadcast radio is still the preeminent means of consuming radio and is deeply embedded in people’s lives throughout their day,” she said.




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