THE BBC’s radio reach into Scotland has hit a new high, in modern times, according to listening figures issued this morning.
When BBC Radio Scotland’s listening figures are added to those for the Corporation’s other stations, such as Radio 2, the BBC’s total share of the Scottish radio listening audience averaged 60 per cent between January 1 and March 31 – according to listening figures auditors, RAJAR.
By comparison, all the commercial radio stations that can be tuned into in Scotland together averaged a 55.8 per cent share of the audience.
As for BBC Radio Scotland itself, it retained over one million listeners, with its audience share during the first quarter of this year an average 8.9 per cent, up from 8.3 per cent this time last year but down from 9.4 per cent during the final quarter of last year.
Added a statement issued by BBC Scotland: “Online listening also continues to grow, with 403,000 requests across the whole quarter for live streaming of Radio Scotland (up on last quarter’s 362,000). The Iain Anderson Show received the most ‘listen again’ requests from Radio Scotland, with 82,000 in Q1 2007, followed by Travelling Folk, with 59,000.”
Said head of Radio Scotland, Jeff Zycinski: “It’s extremely heartening that Radio Scotland remains the station with the largest number of listeners in Scotland and also that this has helped the BBC reach an all-time high.”
Meanwhile, commercial station, Real Radio Scotland, is declaring a “record” 766,000 adults now tuning into the station every week, equating to 29 per cent of the adult population within the central belt of Scotland.
