Figuring it out

What does 'triumph' look like, when you're a BBC PR person drafting the quarterly release that goes with the quarterly audience figures ? What's the lead ?

This quarter, the warm quotes come from Mohit Bakaya, Director of Speech and Controller of Radio 4; new Director of Content Kate Phillips is presumably still getting across her extended brief, with extended audio listening; and Director of Music Lorna Clarke is waiting hopefully to be 'stepped back up' after allowing us to watch and listen to Bob Vylan at Glastonbury.  

The PR person has gone for 'brand' as the lead. "According to the latest RAJAR figures for the period (31 March – 22 June 2025), the BBC is still the number one radio brand with 31.1m people tuned in each week for live output across BBC’s radio stations, with a share of 42.1%."

Ten years ago, 35m were listening each week to BBC Radio, and the BBC's share of the audience was 53%. 

The release goes on: "BBC Radio 2 firmly remains the UK’s most listened to single radio station with an audience of 12.6m listeners each week. Radio 6 Music continues to be the most listened to digital only radio station with 2.6m listeners."

Last year, Radio 2's weekly reach was 13.3m; ten years ago it was 15.1m. 6Music reached 2.7m listeners weekly this time last year, and just 2m ten years ago. 

Not mentioned in the press release: BBC Local Radio in England's weekly reach is down to 4.7m, compared with 4.86m last year, and 6.6m ten years ago. 

Radio London reaches 450k, compared with 673k this time last year, and 477k ten years ago. 

Radio Cymru's reach is down 8% year on year; Radio Wales is down 12%; Radio Ulster is down 6%, and Radio Scotland is up 4.5%. 

Mo says "I’m delighted to see Radio 4 and 5 Live continue to deliver for audiences with increased listening figures year on year. BBC Radio remains the number one UK radio brand and listeners continue to turn to us for trusted news and analysis, as well as the big sporting moments in the national calendar."