Commercial radio now reaches 40 million listeners in the UK, compared with 39.7 million in the third quarter of 2025.

Online listening to all radio stations also grew year-on-year to comprise 30.8% of all listening, compared with AM/FM, which accounts for 23.6% of total listening. Smart speakers, meanwhile, now represent 18.7% of all radio listening.

Radiocentre’s chief executive Matt Payton said: “As listening habits continue to evolve, commercial radio is thriving, attracting 40 million listeners and growing its listening hours due to more digital consumption and the resilience of broadcast platforms.

“These results are a testament to the enduring appeal of great content, trusted stations and the ability of radio to deliver both scale and targeting for brands.”