Digital radio listening in the UK has reached a new record share of 49.9%.
The figure was released as part of the RAJAR listening figures for Q4 2017. In the same quarter of 2016 the share of digital listening was 45.2%.
Reaching a 50% share of digital listening is seen as significant, as this is the point at which the Government will consider a timetable for a ‘digital switchover’.
The growth in digital listening was helped by relatively new digital radio stations, such as Radio X, Kisstory and Virgin Radio, which all saw their audiences grow. More than a million listeners tuned into newcomer Heart 80s.
Digital listening to BBC Radio 4 exceeded 50% for the first time while BBC Radio 4 Extra sets a new record audience of 2.26 million listeners.
The majority of digital listening still takes place with a DAB digital radio. The fastest growing platform is online and apps, which now accounts for 8.5% of all radio listening.
BBC 6 Music is the most popular digital-only station. Kisstory is the most listened to commercial digital-only station.
In car digital radio listening has also increased.
Bob Shennan, Director of BBC Radio and Music, says: “Whether it’s music and top guests with Nick [Grimshaw] or Chris [Evans], agenda-setting news and analysis on the Today programme or lively discussion on 5 live, millions of people choose to start their day with BBC Radio.”
The RAJAR figures also reveal that 48.9 million adults, or 90% of the adult population, tune in to the radio every week.
A quarter of adults listen to radio via a smartphone or tablet at least once per month.
Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, said: “Listening on a digital platform is fast becoming the norm for all age groups with nearly 50% of all listening now being digital. This quarter we have seen a strong surge in digital listening for commercial radio stations, which is now 51.6%, boosted by the strong audience growth of a number of stations including Radio X, Kisstory, Kiss Fresh, Virgin Radio, and the success of new station Heart 80s, to name a but a few.”