Radio Listenership is Growing - Latest JNLR Results released today.
The latest JNLR/Ipsos audience figures released today, 16th May 2024, shows that the Irish daily radio audience is at almost 3.4 million listeners, growing by 110,000 listeners while 66% of Gen Z’s listen to radio every weekday. The JNLR/Ipsos report, covering the period April ‘23 to March ‘24 shows that Radio enjoys huge listenership with 91% of Irish adults and 87% of 15–34 year olds listening to radio every week.
The daily listenership levels are also hugely impressive with the daily weekday audience now at almost 3.4 million, growing by 110,000 listeners compared to the previous survey covering the same period (Apr ‘22-Mar ‘23). Listenership for 15–34-year-olds also increased with 70% of this age group listening every weekday, an uplift of 32,000 listeners. Gen Z’s (15 to 29 year olds) also love their radio with 66% of them listening to radio every weekday. Listening levels to local and regional radio continues to be very strong with almost 2.2 million adults listen to their local or regional station every single weekday.
The ability to access content easily and the quality and popularity of Irish radio means that this latest JNLR shows that the average adult is listening to radio content for over 4 hours each day. And the latest Irish Audio Report, released by Ipsos, which looks at total audio listening, shows that live radio dominates with a 74% share of total listening. Music streaming has a 12% share of listening while YouTube Music and Podcasts have a 7% and 3% share respectively.
6% of all radio listening is now through a smart speaker while listening via a mobile device is at 3%. For the younger 15 to 34 age cohort. there has been an increase in listening through connected devices with 8% of their listening through a smart speaker and 9% through a mobile device.
Source: JNLR/Ipsos 2024-1 (April ‘23 -March ‘24)/ Ipsos Irish Audio Report 2023.
Ciaran Cunningham CEO Radiocentre Ireland said:
“It is clear that radio listening is booming in Ireland and today’s figures are a great reminder that Irish radio is a central part of people’s lives, with brilliant content being consumed by millions of listeners every single day. All parts of the Irish population, from young to old are listening to radio in huge numbers because it is a key part of Irish daily life.”
At a national level, Today FM has moved closer to 1 million listeners weekly, with 992,000 tuning in every week. The King of Breakfast, Ian Dempsey continues to dominate the morning airwaves with 216,000 listeners. These results follow a big milestone for the team this month as Ian Dempsey and Mario Rosenstock celebrated Gift Grub turning 25 this year. Ian’s breakfast listeners voted in their thousands for their favourite Gift Grub character of all time, with Roy Keane taking the crown. “Sure, it’s his job!”
Dave Moore on Today FM (09:00-12:00) holds the title of the most listened to show on Today FM, with an audience of 228,000 (+24,000 YoY) tuning in to the show. Celebrating the latest results, Dave Moore said: “Wow! What a great day for myself and the team! We are thrilled such a huge number of you are tuning in to the show. I love what I get to do every morning, whether it’s chatting to superstars, telling bad jokes, playing Music Master or having the craic with you guys. It’s great that so many of you love it too! Thanks for tuning in!”
Louise Cantillon has proven very popular with Today FM audiences as her lunchtime show (12:00-14:00) has seen a sizeable rise in listenership to 139,000 (+3,000 YoY). Arguably the hardest-working woman in Irish media at the moment, with a successful podcast and numerous TV projects, Louise was also recognised as Most Stylish Newcomer at the VIP Style Awards last month. Commenting on her Today FM lunchtime experience to date, Louise Cantillon said – “It’s absolutely flown by, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it so far! We’re only getting started and we want to continue to grow our group of lunchtime listeners even further! It’s a little bit of fun at lunchtime and I’m completely honoured that so many have chosen me to be their lunchtime company. Beidh samhradh iontach againn le chéile! Ag súil go mór leis!’
Ray Foley in the afternoons (14:00 – 16:30) now entertains an audience of 161,000 and continues to be the most successful show in the timeslot ever on Today FM. Ray is also proving a huge hit with social media audiences with many of his show features generating millions of views and interactions on Today FM’s social media channels. Most notably for his Tell Me I’m Wrong segment where listeners share their dilemmas ranging from dating etiquette to office romances, the feature has divided many opinions online gaining great social interaction.
The Last Word with Matt Cooper (16:30-19:00) continues to hold a strong audience of evening commuters and current affairs enthusiasts. Today FM’s drive time listenership is now at 181,000 (+13,000 YoY). Matt was also a key figure for The Big Busk for Focus Ireland as he championed an engaging interview series with Focus Ireland LEAP ambassadors, giving a voice to those with lived experience of homelessness.
It was a Block Rockin’ JNLR for Dec Pierce with his Saturday Block Rockin’ Beats show (18:00-21:00) now at 44,000 listeners (+5,000 Bob). The show has amassed a loyal cult following and commenting on these latest results, Dec Pierce said: “I’m truly over the moon with these results! I cannot thank this wonderful group of die-hard ravers enough and to see this audience continue to grow just warms my heart. So, wherever it is you’re tuning in for your classic dance anthems, in the car, kitchen or in your back garden thanks for choosing Block Rockin' Beats!”
Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis continues to entertain a large audience of weekend early risers with Alison’s Saturday morning show (08:00-11:00) now at 190,000 listeners and her Sunday morning show (09:00-12:00) now at 156,000 listeners.
Commenting on the latest figures, Fyona Smith, Managing Editor of Today FM said: “Today FM has a new weekly reach of almost 1 million! Thank you to everyone who joins us each day and to the Today FM team for their collective creativity, energy and commitment to making brilliant radio every day. We look forward to building on this success throughout 2024.”
James Brownlow, Managing Editor, Music & Entertainment at Bauer Media Audio Ireland commented: “It's clear that the overwhelming support from nearly a million listeners underscores the station's unparalleled position in the Irish market. The unwavering devotion of our listeners shown in this survey not only validates the team’s efforts but also solidifies Today FM as the ultimate destination for music and entertainment in Ireland.”
Over at Newstalk, The Pat Kenny Show has achieved record listenership of 229,000 making it the most listened to show on commercial radio in Ireland, according to the latest JNLR results published today, 16th of May 2024. The results also see the station achieve an all time high market share of 8.2% in a strong radio market that has almost 3.4 million Irish adults tuning in every week.
Newstalk has also recorded its highest ever weekly reach with 852,000 listeners tuning in every week and 489,000 now tuning in every day. The Pat Kenny Show numbers represent an increase of 55,000 listeners in the last 12 months, while Newstalk Breakfast with Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman have also recorded an all time high audience of 157,000 listeners.
Andrea Gilligan’s Lunchtime Live programme also saw an increase in listenership to 118,000, while Moncrieff with Sean Moncrieff and The Hard Shoulder with Kieran Cuddihy stand on 104,000 and 147,000 respectively. The station’s flagship weekend programme The Anton Savage Show proved itself to be a destination for audiences achieving listenership of 132,000 on Saturdays between 9am and 11am and 104,000 in its new additional slot of 10am – 12pm on Sundays. Down to Business with Bobby Kerr continues to attract a significant audience growing to 115,000 in these latest results. Newstalk retained its commanding position in Dublin, enjoying a market share of 11.7% in the capital and record weekly and daily listenership of 306,000 and 196,000 respectively in the capital.
Managing Editor of Newstalk, Patricia Monahan commented today.
'"We are delighted with these record numbers and to see our audience growing consistently book on book. The success of The Pat Kenny Show is particularly rewarding and richly deserved by Pat and his team. They work tirelessly to deliver a compelling, engaging and entertaining listen for the audience every day. It is fantastic to see them and the rest of the Newstalk team get the recognition it deserves from the people who matter most."
Among the younger 15-34-year audience, Local/Regional Radio is in the majority share position achieving a combined share of minutes of 61.5% (-0.6%) versus 38.5% (+0.6%) for National Radio. In particular, the Local/Regional group holds its strongest share position among this age cohort in the South-West area (69.1%), in Cork (65.3%), and in Dublin (65.0%). (See T7). Considering the older 35+ age segment, Local/Regional radio is marginally ahead in terms of share of all minutes listened, 50.3% (=) compared to National radio, 49.7% (=). However, in regional markets among this age group, National Radio holds the majority share of minutes in Dublin (63.0%), the Dublin Commuter region (63.3%), the Multi-city area (54.7%) and marginally, in the North East & Midlands area (50.1%). (See T8). Local radio continues to perform strongly in the local radio markets across the country, with 36.1% of adults in the country tuning into their local station every day. In particular, on the criterion of share of minutes listened during prime 7am to 7pm local radio has a total share nationally of 36.9% while particular stations - Highland Radio, Northern Sound Radio, MidWest Radio and Radio Kerry hold the majority share position (50%+) in their respective franchise areas