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United Kingdom - Current situation - History

16.02.2026
UK Radio Review 2026

In February 2026, the UK Government announced a new Radio Review. It said "the way people listen is rapidly changing. Almost 75% of UK radio listening now takes place on digital or online platforms, rather than FM and AM. To help the industry navigate this shift, the government will work with key partners, including the BBC and commercial radio, to examine changes in listener behaviour and audio markets in recent years, and make recommendations on the future distribution of radio services."

The review will consider:

  • Whether there should be a managed transition away from FM in the 2030s and, if so, over what timescale;
  • The potential impact of a decision on the future of Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) on radio distribution;
  • The role of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the benefits and challenges they pose to the industry.

The Radio Review will conclude in autumn 2026 with a report to the government. This report will inform further policy development and the latter stages of the ongoing BBC Charter Review.

RAJAR audience data: DAB has 56% share of UK digital listening hours
In February 2026, RAJAR announced 50.0 million adults or 86% of the adult (15+) UK population tuned in to their selected radio stations each week in the fourth quarter of 2025. The total average number of weekly hours listened to radio for this Quarter is 1.015 billion hours. In terms of reach 44 million adults aged 15+ are now tuning in to radio via a digitally enabled platform (DAB, DTV, Website/App, or Smart Speaker) each week. 75% of the population tune in to digital radio every week. In an average week, digital listening accounts for 757 million hours; DAB has a 56% share of digital listening hours, Smart speaker 25%, Website/Apps 15%, and DTV 4%.

RAJAR produces an infographic showing key UK audience data. 

Small-scale DAB

The small-scale DAB programme in the UK will enable the launch of around 100 or more multiplexes, covering all four UK nations. By September 2025, 75 multiplexes had launched, broadcasting a range of radio services, from grass-roots community services to specialist music stations, and services aimed at minority groups and other under-served audiences.

UK regulator Ofcom says "Small-scale DAB is an established technology which provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves."

In September 2025, applications opened for the eighth and final round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences, covering 40 areas across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Read more about small-scale DAB licensing in the UK on the media regulator Ofcom's website. In October 2024, Ofcom published a progress update on its small-scale DAB roll-out across the UK.

23.10.2025
RAJAR audience data: DAB has 56% share of UK digital listening hours
On 23 October 2025, RAJAR announced 50.1 million adults, or 86% of the adult (15+) UK population tuned in to their selected radio stations each week in the third quarter of 2025.
In terms of reach, 44 million adults aged 15+ are now tuning in to radio via a digitally enabled platform (DAB, DTV, Website/App, or Smart Speaker) each week. In an average week, digital listening accounts for 754 million hours; DAB has a 56% share of digital listening hours.

RAJAR produces an infographic showing key UK audience data. 

Small-scale DAB

The small-scale DAB programme in the UK will enable the launch of around 100 or more multiplexes, covering all four UK nations. By September 2025, 75 multiplexes had launched, broadcasting a range of radio services, from grass-roots community services to specialist music stations, and services aimed at minority groups and other under-served audiences.

UK regulator Ofcom says "Small-scale DAB is an established technology which provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves."

In September 2025, applications opened for the eighth and final round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences, covering 40 areas across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Read more about small-scale DAB licensing in the UK on the media regulator Ofcom's website. In October 2024, Ofcom published a progress update on its small-scale DAB roll-out across the UK.

06.02.2025

RAJAR audience research data published in January 2025, and covering the period ending December 2024, shows the continued growth of DAB listening in the United Kingdom, reaching 62.3% of the UK population, up one percentage point year-on-year. DAB's share of in-car listening stands at 55.4%.

All digital share of all listening is 72.2%; DAB dominates digital listening with a 42.7% share, alongside smart speakers at 16.1% and website/apps at 10.9%.

RAJAR produces an infographic showing key UK audience data. 

Small-scale DAB

The small-scale DAB programme in the UK will enable the launch of around 150 or more multiplexes, covering all four UK nations. By October 2024, 64 multiplexes had launched, broadcasting a range of radio services, from grass-roots community services to specialist music stations, and services aimed at minority groups and other under-served audiences.

UK regulator Ofcom says "Small-scale DAB is an established technology which provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves."

Several licensing rounds have now been completed, and in May 2024, applications opened for the sixth round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences for 31 areas across England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The regulator received 33 applications in this round. 

Read more about small-scale DAB licensing in the UK on the media regulator Ofcom's website. In October 2024, Ofcom published a progress update on its small-scale DAB roll-out across the UK.