UK

Podcasts have established themselves as a leading media platform in the UK according to the latest UK Podcast Consumer 2024 report by Edison Research.

The key findings, compiled by Edison Podcast Metrics UK, were presented by Gabriel Soto, Senior Director of Research at Edison Research during a webinar, showing data on weekly and monthly podcast consumption in the UK.
Key points from the report:

More UK adults than ever are listening to podcasts: Over two-thirds of the United Kingdom age 18+ have ever listened to a podcast; 42% are monthly podcast listeners and 30% are weekly listeners. All data points are record highs.
Weekly UK podcast listeners 15+ spend an average of 5 hours and 27 minutes listening to podcasts in a typical week.
Young UK adults are loyal consumers of podcasts: The majority of 18–34-year-olds are monthly podcast listeners and 41% are weekly listeners; higher than the average UK adult.
Podcasts are an excellent way to reach the sought-after 35-54-year-old UK segment, many who are in their prime spending years: About half are monthly podcast listeners; 34% are weekly podcast listeners.
The 55+ UK population are increasingly listening to podcasts: 28% of those age 55+ listen monthly, up from 20% in 2023; 18% of those age 55+ listen weekly.
Forty-eight percent of Black UK adults listen to podcasts each month, higher than the 42% among the overall UK population; 39% of UK Asian adults listen to podcasts each month.
Newcomers to weekly podcast listening are more likely to be Gen Z: 38% of new weekly podcast listeners (those who began listening in the last year) are Gen Z; 14% of weekly podcast listeners who started listening more than a year ago are Gen Z.
Reach among UK women monthly podcast listeners is up: 39% of UK women are monthly podcast listeners, up from 31% in 2023; 26% are weekly listeners. The top three podcasts reaching the most UK weekly women podcast listeners are The Diary of a CEO, Saving Grace, and Sh**ged Married and Annoyed.
The Top 10 podcasts in the UK combine to reach 31% of all weekly podcast listeners age 15+. The Top 25 podcasts reach 44% of weekly podcast listeners, which means with only the 25 biggest shows, nearly half of all weekly podcast listeners are accessible.

Soto said, “With this report, Edison Research seeks to arm UK-based creators with the ammunition they need to secure support for their content.”
The UK Podcast Consumer 2024 can be found here. […]

With six months to go before Christmas, Radio Exe has relaunched Radio ExeMas, playing non-stop festive songs.

Last year, the Christmas station went on air at the end of August.
Radio Exe’s Breakfast host, Matt Rogers celebrated this year’s early launch by interviewing Father Christmas live from Crealy on his show.
Matt said: “For people who say Christmas seems to start earlier every year, they’re right!
“We wanted to be at the top of Santa’s nice list by bringing festive cheer to Devon, and now people can get their fix of Mariah, Wizzard and Wham by tuning to Radio ExeMas. Feliz Navidad!”
Listeners have been given a chance to win a luxury lodge break at Crealy Theme Park and Resort, complete with presents from Santa and a Christmas dinner.
Jodie Hodgkins, marketing manager at Crealy Theme Park and Resort said: “Christmas at Crealy is one of the highlights of many families’ calendars, so to tie in with half-Christmas, we’ve opened our bookings for the festive season and were honoured that Santa could spare time to join on air this morning.”
Radio ExeMas can be heard on digital radio across much of Devon on the Exeter, Torbay/Teignbridge and Plymouth areas, as well as being streamed on its own website, www.radioexemas.co.uk, plus on the Radio Exe app. […]

Nation Radio has signed a long-term contract into the next decade for its London and South East DAB platform.

Following a trial period last year, Nation 80s has also joined the London-wide DAB platform full time in DAB+ stereo.
Nation’s Founder Jason Bryant said: “Nation is a fast growing and important media brand in major population centres across the UK.
“In Wales, Scotland and Southern England, we are reaching record weekly audiences. In the London market, the most competitive in the UK, Nation recently posted its highest ever weekly audience of nearly 200,000 – one of the largest digital only station audiences in London.
“The latest streaming data gives me confidence that Nation Radio can continue to grow and that we will also achieve a sizeable audience in London with Nation 80s.”
Nation’s Programme Director Neil Greenslade added: “Listeners tell us we’re a great variety listen with a fantastic line-up of presenters. They love our music mix and, with Nation 80s playing more 80s hits and forgotten classics, we believe our audience will continue to grow.” […]

Island FM has moved into new studios in Guernsey’s capital, St Peter Port.

The station has relocated for the first time in its history, vacating its original premises in St Sampson after 32 years.
Presenters including James Bentley, Carl Ward and David Francis will broadcast their shows from the new complex, which is also home to Island FM’s news and sales teams.
Owners Tindle Radio say the new building is a substantial investment in local broadcasting.
The company also owns Jersey’s Channel 103 and classic hits service Soleil Radio, which serves the Channel Islands.
Island FM’s managing director, James Keen, said: “In a world of media consolidation, it is a rare occasion to be able to open a new radio station building – and our new location in the heart of St Peter Port underscores Island FM’s commitment to be even closer to our listeners and advertisers.”
The new studios were officially opened by Guernsey’s Lieutenant-Governor, the King’s official representative on the island.
Guernsey’s Lieutenent-Governor declares the station open.

After cutting the green ribbon and unveiling a plaque, Lt Gen Richard Cripwell said: “Investing in something so state-of-the-art, so right-up-to-the-minute, is a very special thing in Guernsey and perhaps doesn’t happen as long as it possibly should do.
“I am a huge supporter of radio, particularly in small communities. As a soldier, in the past, I have lived in some of those small communities and that voice really does make a difference to an individual.
“The way in which it promotes social connection between people is hugely, hugely important.
“Thank you for this huge vote of confidence in our community.” […]

Damien ‘Doc’ Atherton who was a presenter on Academy FM Thanet has passed away at the age of 50.

He was also a former Trustee and Company Director of the station where he has been for the last 14 years.
Damien also spent time as a presenter at various stations including Invicta FM, KMFM, TLR, CTFM, Neptune Radio, Classic Gold, Capital Gold, Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting and RTHK Radio 3 (Hong Kong).
KentOnline reported that his death was understood to have been caused by a heart attack and Academy FM trustee Chris West paid tribute to him, saying: “He just loved what he did.” […]

Greatest Hits Radio presenter Ken Bruce has won both radio awards at the TRICs, plus the best daytime category against three television shows.
Ken won the Radio Personality award, where Chris Moyles, Roman Kemp and Sara Cox were nominated.
He also got the Radio Show award where Roman Kemp (for his former Capital breakfast show), Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden and The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show made the shortlist.
In addition, Ken Bruce also won the Daytime award category, against A Place in the Sun, Escape to the Country, and Homes Under the Hammer.

GB News also took part, winning the News award, whilst That Peter Crouch Podcast won the Podcast award.
The awards event, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, also had categories for television dramas, presenters and soaps. […]