United Kingdom - Current situation - History
23.10.2025
RAJAR audience data: DAB has 56% share of UK 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.
24.10.2024
RAJAR audience research data published in October 2024, and covering the period ending September 2024, shows the continued growth of DAB listening in the United Kingdom.
- DAB has a record 63.4% reach of the UK population (Q3 23: 61.3%), and DAB share of all listening is 44% (Q3 23: 42.3%)
- DAB share of in-car listening is 64.8%, an increase of over ten percentage points year-on-year (Q3 23: 54.7%)
- All digital share of all listening reaches another record high of 74.3% (Q3 23: 70.3%), with AM/FM share of all listening falling to 25.7% (Q3 23: 29.7%).
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 Octover 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.