• Times Radio reports a reach of 637k listeners and 3.5 million listening hours in its first RAJAR since launch in June 2020 

• Virgin Radio network delivers record RAJAR reach, with over 2.2 million listeners

• talkRADIO delivers record reach and listening hours

• talkSPORT network maintains 3 million listeners

The latest round of RAJAR results - for the period between 28th June 2021 and 19th September 2021 - sees record reach and hours for News UK’s portfolio of radio stations, including national stations talkSPORT, Virgin Radio, talkRADIO and Times Radio, as well as U105 in Belfast.

Together they have delivered just over 6m unique listeners, tuning in for over 38 million hours a week. 

Times Radio today reports its debut RAJAR with a weekly reach of 637k listeners, consuming almost 3.5m listening hours. Times Radio has rapidly established itself as a well-respected media outlet and is attracting a new audience to The Times and The Sunday Times with internal research suggesting 43% of listeners are new to the brands.

Scott Taunton, News UK Broadcasting CEO, said: “News UK’s portfolio of radio stations have delivered a record set of results, both on reach and listening hours. Times Radio launched in the middle of the pandemic and has demonstrated there is a gap in the market, drawing an audience that has exceeded our expectations in its first set of audience figures. By delivering Times content in a new format, we are reaching new audiences and we have created choice for consumers. We are also providing opportunities for commercial partners to reach audiences that they may not previously have reached through radio.” 

Since launch, Times Radio has partnered with over 30 commercial sponsors. The station will continue to commercialise the brand with new ways for clients to reach its quality audience.

The talkSPORT network maintains its audience of more than 3 million listeners, despite having broadcast throughout the height of the pandemic with no live sport. During that time the station launched a new, award-winning Breakfast Show with Laura Woods and Ally McCoist for three days each week, with Alan Brazil continuing on Thursday and Friday. 

Further schedule shakeups included the launch of new formats including Darren Bent’s Boot Room, Jonny Owen and Friends on Sunday morning, with a new Drive line-up of Andy Goldstein, Darren Gough and Darren Bent, as Adrian Durham brings his leading football insight to live football across the schedule.

The period also saw a record audience for live sport channel, talkSPORT 2 with half a million listeners tuning in each week. 

The talkSPORT network broadcast every match of the Euros with special guest pundit José Mourinho, and has delivered exclusive commentary of the British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa and the start of a brand new Premier League season.  

Scott said: "talkSPORT has shaken up the schedule and is driving diversity across its programming for its three million-strong audience. The network has continued to invest in leading sports rights, with plenty more to come - from Rugby's Autumn Nations series to more big boxing fights and exclusive Premier League and EFL coverage." 

The Virgin Radio network, which also includes Virgin Radio Anthems UK, Virgin Radio Chilled UK and Virgin Radio Groove UK, has broken two million listeners for the first time. The network now reaches 2.25m listeners - more than ever before. Each of the stations in the Virgin Radio network posted its highest-ever reach. 

In January, Virgin Radio UK launched The Graham Norton Radio Show at the weekend in partnership with Waitrose, which has boosted weekend listening across the schedule. Graham was away on leave for two months within this reporting period. In a turbulent year for breakfast radio, The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky has maintained its market share. 

The network also launched a stand alone pop up station - Virgin Radio Pride UK to champion the LGBTQ+ community this summer. Virgin Radio Pride UK was named Best Brand Campaign at The Proud Scotland Awards for reducing inequality through its core programming by addressing important issues and bringing to life cancelled Pride festivals around the UK. The station will return next summer with more big conversations and more great music. 

Scott said: "Graham Norton has supercharged Virgin Radio's weekends and The Chris Evans Breakfast Show has maintained its market share, packed with the best guests from the world of music and entertainment. The network's award-winning launch of Virgin Radio Pride UK reinforces the strength of the brand and its ability to have powerful conversations as well as entertain listeners." 

Meanwhile, talkRADIO delivers another set of record results: with reach up to a record 450k listeners and hours up to 3.5m hours weekly. 

The station remains the destination for punchy political discussion and opinion, with hosts across the day - including  Julia Hartley-Brewer and Mike Graham - delivering record reach and share. talkRADIO has recently been bolstering it’s schedule with high profile new signings including Jeremy Kyle, Rob Rinder and Trisha Goddard. It also continues to drive visualised brand reach, with talkRADIO TV delivering 156k viewers a week watching for 267k hours across smart devices and social media platforms.

Scott said: “talkRADIO has delivered another period of record reach and listening hours. The station continues to invest in top quality talent across the schedule - our latest signing, Jeremy Kyle, took over drive time in September. Beyond radio, talkRADIO TV continues to attract new audiences to the station’s visualised output, across smart devices and social platforms.”

Northern Ireland radio station U105 continues to serve its loyal audiences through the COVID disruption, reaching 217k listeners and growing listening to 2.1m hours weekly. 

Summing up the overall performance, Scott added: “We continue to drive our digital-first agenda, which has engaged over 6 million listeners, listening for an impressive 38.1million hours. We will continue to drive investment and innovation across the portfolio - with a particular focus on continuing to invest in talent, rights and visualising our audio content.”