• Times Radio reaches 637k national listeners with “conversation not confrontation”

• 3.5m listening hours consumed for quality news and current affairs station

Times Radio today reports its debut RAJAR for the period between 28th June 2021 and 19th September 2021, with a weekly reach of 637k listeners, consuming almost 3.5m listening hours. Average listeners are listening for around 5.5 hours a week.

The national digital station, which launched on 29 June 2020, has established a strong audience across the UK for a roster of broadcasters that includes Aasmah Mir and Stig Abell at Breakfast, Matt Chorley, Mariella Frostrup, John Pienaar, Phil Williams, Carole Walker, Luke Jones, Jenny Kleeman, Giles Coren, Alexis Conran, Hugo Rifkind, Ayesha Hazarika, Calum Macdonald, Kait Borsay, Tom Newton Dunn, Cathy Newman and Michael Portillo. 

Tim Levell, Times Radio Programme Director, said: “Times Radio launched last June during the height of the pandemic, bringing together a set of brilliant broadcasting professionals united by a desire to create something new: a digital radio station providing quality news and analysis with the space for conversation not confrontation. I’m delighted by this debut RAJAR. It exceeds our expectations and shows there is a national audience hungry for intelligent, informed, thought-provoking and open-minded speech radio at any time of the day or night.”

Times Radio has rapidly established itself as a well-respected media outlet. The award-winning station regularly sets the news agenda, breaking national stories, as well as accessing world-class journalists from The Times and The Sunday Times to respond to breaking news events nationally and internationally.

John Witherow, Editor of The Times, said: “Times Radio has, in short order, become appointment listening for a discerning audience across the UK who want to tune into provocative, well-informed and useful discussions covering the key stories of the day. It is infused with our world-class journalism and is a perfect complement to our digital and print offer.”

Times Radio has brought a new dimension to the brand experience for existing readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. It is also bringing a new audience. Internal research indicates that 43% of Times Radio listeners are new to The Times brand. 

Scott Taunton, News UK Broadcasting CEO, said: “Times Radio is a brilliant example of how News UK is redefining the potential of modern media brands and delivering Times journalism in new formats to reach new audiences. As a digital-first business, we are creating choice for consumers - and opportunities for commercial partners to reach audiences that they may not previously have reached through radio. Times Radio is also a major pillar in The Times’ innovative digital-first strategy - introducing Times content to new audiences and driving subscriptions and loyalty to the brand.”

Since launch, Times Radio has partnered with over 30 commercial sponsors, including Google, RangeRover, Axa, Santander, Nutmeg, Waitrose, Sky Arts and Go Daddy. Some have been completely new to commercial radio, such as Fortnum and Mason. The station will build on today’s RAJAR report as it continues to commercialise the brand with new ways for clients to reach its quality audience.