Sooner for summer

The August RAJAR* release comes around faster than the others, as the publication interval is eleven weeks rather than the full quarter. The latest figures reflect the period up to the end of June, and indicate a slight slippage in local station listening of two percentage points to 55% of all the hours that NI people spend with the medium.

Turning to the broadcasters, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle saw weekly reach go from 566,000 to 493,000, with hours down by 19%.

Downtown now has 215,000 (from 244,000) and 23% fewer hours, while Cool FM sits at 442,000 (from 473,000) with 5% fewer hours; however Downtown Country moves up from 116,000 to 121,000 and has 20% more hours.

Two Belfast-based stations enjoyed increases in reach; Q Radio from 260,000 (the combination of the previously separate Q figures) to 281,000, with hours decreasing by 6%. U105 is up from 153,000 to 189,000 and by 12% in hours in its original FM area. Their DAB-only extended coverage is measured yearly and last had a published figure of 29,000.

As always, comparisons are year-on-year and each station’s figures relate to its own stated Total Survey Area.

*RAJAR is compiled by Ipsos-MORI

The national picture from Matt Deegan:
www.mattdeegan.com

Paul Easton with the London perspective:
http://www.pauleaston.co.uk