The latest results show 3.36 million listeners (15+) tune into radio every weekday – that is daily radio listening at 80.0% of all adults. Listening levels in the past week increase to 90% of the population.

The latest JNLR/Ipsos report into radio listening is published today (16th May 2024). It covers the period from April 2023 to March 2024.    

The latest results show 3.36 million listeners (15+) tune into radio every weekday – that is daily radio listening at 80.0% of all adults. Listening levels in the past week increase to 90% of the population.

A total of c 16,700 people were interviewed during the survey period by Ipsos B&A, on behalf of JNLR – Joint National Listenership Research – that is commissioned by all national, regional and local stations, AAI, IAPI and Coimisiún na Meán.

The following tables show the key, topline results from the week-day report for the main radio stations at National level, within Dublin and Cork counties, and the South- East, South-West, North-West, North-East/Midlands, Multi-City and Dublin Commuter regions.  (See p.12).  

While Tables 1-4 show the proportion of adults tuning into the stations at some time during the day, the depth of listening or loyalty to various stations is best reflected in the share of listening achieved by each station, as shown in Tables 5-8, whilst Table 9 provides information on the Local Stations in each licensed franchise area.

(Reference to change in this report relates to the previous published report incorporating the period Jan to Dec’23.  Figures showing the size of the increase/decrease reflects the movement since this last publication (book-on-book) and are rounded to 1 decimal place).

A large majority of Irish adults – 80.2% (-0.8%) listen to the radio on an average day. More than half, 51.8% (-0.6%) tune into their local or regional station and 44.4% (-0.6) listen to a national station.  Among the younger, 15 to 34-year, market 69.8% (-1.1%) listen daily.

Irish radio audiences continue to listen to a significant amount of radio everyday – tuning in, on average, for almost 4 hours (228 mins, +1) per day during the prime 7am to 7pm time (Irish Adults listening Mon-Fri). In terms of share of all minutes listened in the country, National Radio currently has 47.5% share (+0.1%) of all minutes, while Local/Regional Radio holds the majority share position with 52.5% (-0.1%) in this reporting period.
Across the various regional areas throughout the country, National Radio holds the majority share position in Dublin (57.0%), the greater Dublin Commuter belt (57.9%), and marginally, in the Multi-city area (50.9%).  On the other hand, Local/Regional radio is in the majority in the other regions throughout the country, in particular achieving its highest share position in Cork (63.5%), in the South-West (60.1%) and in the North-West (57.6%) regions. (See T5).

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.  (See T9).

Population estimates in this report are based on Labour Force Survey data (to Qtr3’23).

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For more details, please contact Karen Hall:  Karen.Hall@ipsos.com