One in 10 UK adults tune into a GMG Radio owned station every week, according to the latest industry research released today (Thursday 10^th May).

 

The research by industry body RAJAR shows that the group’s eleven stations across the country attract huge listener loyalty with 10 per cent of the entire adult population tuning in every week for an average of 10 hours per listener.

 

The group is reporting its audience research for Real Radio, the five former Saga FM and Smooth FM stations which were all rebranded as Smooth Radio on March 26^th, Century FM and Glasgow’s 96.3 Rock Radio, which was re-launched from Q96 in January.

 

GMG Radio’s stations now attract 48 million hours of listening each week, making it the fourth largest group in the UK in terms of total hours. The group is widely expected to move into third position once it launches its two new stations – Smooth Radio in the north east of England, and Rock Radio in Manchester - in the coming months.

 

GMG Radio Chief Executive John Myers said: “The listener loyalty to our stations is incredible. We are well on track to becoming the No.3 most listened to group in the UK.”

 

 

Real Radio in Scotland continues to be the radio success story of the decade north of the border, increasing its reach and market share yet again. The station saw its weekly audience grow to 766,000 adult listeners a week, an increase on both the quarter and the year. Its market share of the central belt’s listening now stands at an impressive 17.5%.

 

Its sister Real station in Wales is also enjoying success. It remains Wales’ No.1 commercial radio station having increased its weekly reach to 342,000 adult listeners and total hours have topped the four million mark.

 

Smooth in the north west of England has become the most listened to commercial station in its region, recording 5.5 million hours of listening every week.

 

GMG Radio looks forward to reporting its first audience figures for its newly rebranded Smooth Radio stations in Q2 2007.

 

Ends

 

Source: RAJAR/Ipsos MORI p/e March 2007 within the GMG Radio Network TSA