Bauer Media has posted record radio listening figures this morning, with a total of 18.4m listeners (up 1.1% year on year).
Its new Hits Radio brands have also seen increases, with Greatest Hits Radio reaching 1.2m and Country Hits Radio at 234k.
Hits Radio Manchester has still not managed to turn its fortunes around, but Gary Stein, Group Programme Director of Hits Radio Network, believes that this is just a matter of time:
“Hits Radio Manchester is bedding in a refreshed music and breakfast show presented by Fleur East, Greg and James and we are pleased with its early performance,” he explained.
“Aimed at a family-orientated audience, the station has a modern and engaging feel and has Hits Radio Live at the Arena coming next month. The station is primed to grow as listeners continue to consume more digital radio across multiple devices”.
The Manchester-based network Breakfast Show team was recruited in June and the full impact of their arrival isn’t likely to be seen until the next quarter.
Bauer also reported that it was above the industry average in terms of how radio is being listened to.
“We are thrilled to see our long-held strategy of investing in exciting and engaging digital products continuing with purpose: 72% of Bauer’s listening is now delivered via a digital device versus the industry average of 57%,” said Dee Ford CBE, Group Managing Director Radio, Bauer Media.
