News Broadcasting shows impressive results in the latest RAJAR data for the period ending 15 December 2024.
The group, which includes talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK, Times Radio, Talk, and U105 in Northern Ireland, saw a significant 7.7% rise in weekly reach, totaling 6.6 million listeners, along with 43.9 million cumulative listening hours.
Scott Taunton, President of Broadcasting at News UK, highlighted the group’s strong digital growth, noting it reaches 6.6 million engaged adults weekly and leads the industry with 86% of listening hours coming from streaming and DAB platforms.
talkSPORT performed exceptionally well, attracting a record 3.6 million weekly listeners in the fourth quarter. The channel remains a top choice for live sports coverage and commentary. Additionally, Times Radio celebrated a remarkable 23% audience growth this quarter, reaching 604,000 listeners.
As audio and video platforms merge, News Broadcasting capitalized on visual content, achieving 764 million video views on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok in the quarter. The recent launch of talkSPORT on smart TVs shows their commitment to innovation for audiences and partners.
The talkSPORT network recorded a 7.4% increase in listeners, reaching 3.6 million, including 904,000 female listeners, a record high. The station, as the largest sports radio broadcaster, covered over 120 football matches, including the Champions League, and kept fans updated on major events like the England manager announcement.
Listeners enjoyed commentary from former England fast bowlers during the series against the West Indies, adding star power to the broadcasts.
Virgin Radio UK also saw strong growth, reaching 2.2 million listeners, up 22.5% from last year. Virgin Radio Anthems hit a record 468,000 listeners, reflecting a 69.6% year-on-year rise and achieving 1.4 million listening hours.
The Chris Evans Breakfast show featured big names from film and TV, including Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington. Virgin Radio UK also marked 40 years of Band Aid with a documentary showcasing its cultural influence and featuring interviews with key figures.
Times Radio achieved record listening hours, reaching 4.4 million, a 12% increase year-on-year. The station welcomed 604,000 weekly listeners, a rise of 22.8%. It also celebrated one million YouTube subscribers.
This quarter, Times Radio provided live overnight coverage of the US election, including Donald Trump’s second-term victory, and reported on major political events like the Labour and Conservative Party conferences and the assisted dying bill vote in the House of Commons.
As it heads into 2025, Times Radio continues to be a strong voice for The Times.