Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA) has reported weekly listeners of commercial radio are up 8% year on year to more than 12 million people across the five metro capitals in the GfK Survey 5.
The result was boosted by increased in-car listening and a surge in younger listeners.
The growth in driving post lockdowns saw time spent listening to commercial radio in-car climb by 35 minutes to five hours and 21 minutes per week compared to a year ago.
At the same time audiences in the 18-24 age group increased by 9% or 113,000 people and those aged 25-39 jumped by 13% or 387,000.
CRA chief executive Ford Ennals said: “These are fantastic figures and show that radio remains fresh, stimulating and relevant, with strong audience growth across all age groups.”
“It’s no surprise that young people continue to find radio an important part of their day – 81% of 18-24’s and 89% of 10-17’s tune in weekly. This reflects the quality and increased choice of content available, and augurs well for establishing radio as part of a long-term media habit,” he added.
Overall 81% of Australians aged 10+ listened to commercial radio each week across the five metros during the survey period.
Nearly 70% listened via AM and FM, 26% listened via DAB+ and 23% listened via streaming. Streaming listeners rose by 27% to a record high of 3.4 million.
Commercial DAB+ stations, which include 80s, 90s, hip hop, country and heavy metal music formats, enjoyed a 41% year on year increase to 2.6 million weekly listeners.
In Sydney, 2GB is still #1 after extending its lead by 0.7 points. Breakfast with Ben Fordham is still the #1 breakfast host in the market, extending his market-leading share by 1.7 points, bouncing back from Survey 3 earlier in the year, where he lost 3.1 points. Mornings with Ray Hadley continues to build its lead in the daypart, improving by 0.3 points.
For more radio ratings see also:
Sydney Radio Ratings 2022 Survey 5: 2GB increases its lead as Fordham surges
Melbourne Radio Ratings 2022, Survey 5: 3AW still #1, KIIS FM makes its move
Brisbane Radio Ratings 2022, Survey 4: Nova #1, huge surge for 4BH
Adelaide Radio Ratings 2022 Survey 5: Nova takes #1 spot from Mix 102.3
Perth Radio Ratings: Nova reaches new high, 6iX jumps up