The latest results are now available for the period 21st September – 20th December 2015.
As they include the first figures for the re-branded Radio X and Chris Moyles at Breakfast I suspect a lot of people will want to know how they have done. So…
Radio X has increased its weekly reach by 77,000 listeners year-on-year from the former XFM, although only by 10,000 quarter-on-quarter. Following a massive drop in hours at the beginning of last year it has been rebuilding and now has its highest hours since Q2/2011.
Moyles has debuted in London with 300,000 listeners – which puts him slightly ahead of Christian O’Connell on Absolute in the key 8.00am – 9.00am hour.
As always BBC Radio 4 and Radio 2 continue to dominate, but the commercial winner – in terms of % Share – this time around is LBC. However it is also the only major commercial station to have lost audience (Reach) year-on-year – down 51,000 – although it’s up 110,000 quarter-on-quarter.
Smooth has also posted its highest reach, with 800,000 weekly listeners, although it still has a long way to go before it becomes a serious challenger to Magic.
Otherwise, as you can see, the game of ‘musical chairs’ continues.
As usual I shall let the charts do the talking…
(Click to enlarge)
Note: Figures used in all charts for Absolute are those for ‘Absolute Radio (London)’.
Previous results – Q3/15 and Q4/14
As ever there is some good, expert, analysis from Adam Bowie and Matt Deegan, as well as insighful comment on Northern Ireland from John Rosborough.
Charts © Paul Easton 2016
Radio X are doing well during breakfast and drive. It appears to have been a big mistake by Bauer to move Geoff Lloyd to evenings as Absolute don’t increase their share until Geoff starts.