The Most Popular UK Radio Stations
In the United Kingdom, 51 million people listen to the radio, according to RAJAR’s 2024 Q3 report. But what stations are getting the most attention?
We compiled a list of the top 10 most popular radio stations in the UK based on the station’s weekly listener reach. Let’s see the top 10 most listened to stations and dive into a bit about each of them.
The 10 Most Popular Radio Stations
10. BBC 6 Music
Reach: 2,745,000
The digital-only BBC Radio 6 Music kicks things off and comes in at number 10 on our list. Launched in 2002 to focus mostly on alternative music, the station had its fair share of problems in its infancy. In 2008, the station’s controller, Lesley Douglas, was criticised for a comment many perceived as sexist. Lesley claimed a schedule change was to attract more female listeners as men generally are “more interested in the intellectual side of music”. Around the same time, the station was in the news for rigging competitions on their shows.
Nonetheless, BBC 6Music has grown into a well-loved station thanks to its wide array of musical genres and the annual 6 Music Festival. Today’s most popular presenters on the station include Iggy Pop, an influential voice in punk who became known as the “Godfather of Punk;” Afrodeutsche, a DJ, producer, and composer; and Gilles Peterson, who founded the record labels Acid Jazz and Talkin’ Loud.
9. talkSPORT
Reach: 3,410,000
talkSPORT is known for broadcasting sporting discussions and commentary 24-7 and is the official radio broadcaster for the Premier League and the English Football League.
When launched the station didn’t focus on sports content, but instead was a general talk-show station under the name of Talk Radio. But for the 1997 to 1998 season, Talk Radio purchased the rights to broadcast Football League matches from BBC Radio 5 Live. In 1999, it was officially relaunched as talkSPORT and its programming changed to sports-focused content.
8. Magic Radio
Reach: 4,173,000
Magic Radio is one of the Bauer Media owned stations with a focus on upbeat 80s and 90s music and some contemporary music sprinkled in. Popular presents on Magic Radio include Nicole Appleton, a member of the British girl group All Saints and one-half of the pop duo Appleton; Lemar, an award-winning, chart-topping singer and record producer; and Tom Price, a comedian and actor best known for playing Andy Davidson on the hit show Torchwood.
Magic Radio has a number of sister stations, including Magic Chilled, which was later rebranded as Hits Radio Chilled and became one of Hits Radio’s sister stations; Mellow Magic, which plays relaxing classic hits; and Magic Soul, a soul music-focused station.
7. Classic FM
Reach: 4,453,000
Classic FM bills itself as “the most relaxing music.” Owned by Global Media & Entertainment and launched in 1992, Classic FM is unsurprisingly all about classical music. Classic FM is responsible for many UK radio firsts, like broadcasting the first series on UK radio dedicated to music from video games, High Score.
Popular presenters on Classic FM include Alexander Armstrong, a comedian and actor who also hosts the BBC One game show Pointless; John Humphrys, the broadcaster and former Mastermind host; and Jonathan Ross, who has hosted a number of television and radio shows since his first TV appearance in 1981.
6. Hits Radio
Reach: 4,822,000
Hits Radio is another Bauer Media station. Or rather a network of stations all branded under the name and putting out largely the same content. Hits Radio as it’s known today was formed in 2018 and serves the ages of 25- 44 with contemporary and throwback hits.
Presenters on this station include Gemma Atkinson, an influencer, model, and soap opera star; Sarah-Jane Crawford, a TV and radio presenter who has been seen across the BBC channels, Disney Channel, MTV, and the E! Network; Fleur East, a singer and rapper who previously appeared on The X Factor and has a number of chart-topping singles; and Sam Thompson, an influencer and reality TV star best known for his appearance on E4’s Made in Chelsea.
5. BBC Radio 5 Live
Reach: 5,367,000
Back to the BBC for the fifth most popular radio station in the UK, BBC Radio 5 Live. This radio station is BBC’s sports-focused station. BBC Radio 5 Live launched in 1994 as a repositioning of Radio 5, which started in 1990.
Today, BBC Radio 5 Live broadcasts most of the major sporting events in the UK or involving British teams. In addition to broadcasting live sports, this station also has several popular shows, including 5 Live Breakfast with Rick Edwards and Rachel Burden, 5 Live Drive with Tony Livesey and Clare McDonnell, and Sports Report with Mark Chapman. BBC Radio 5 Live also has a companion station, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, which is only available digitally.
4. Greatest Hits Radio
Reach: 7,525,000
Greatest Hits Radio is another network of stations owned Bauer Media and broadcasting under the same name and brand. It differs from Hits Radio in that it focuses on classic hits, primarily playing songs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
Many of the hosts on Greatest Hits Radio have been long-time BBC contributors, like Richard Allinson, who joined BBC Radio 2 in 1997; Simon Mayo, who worked for three different BBC stations between 1982 and 2022; and Ken Bruce, who took his longstanding and ever-popular Popmaster feature with him.
3. BBC Radio 1
Reach: 8,122,000
Another BBC radio station, BBC Radio 1, ranks as the third most popular radio station in the UK. Established in 1967, this radio station focuses on pop music and current chart-topping hits. Its target demographic is between the ages of 15 to 29. Radio 1 is also the most active BBC radio station on social media, which ties into the desire to connect with younger audiences.
Top shows on BBC Radio 1 include The Radio 1 Breakfast Show, which has been running since 1967 and is currently hosted by Greg James; Europe’s Biggest Dance Show, a yearly dance music simulcast that’s in collaboration with several other European stations; and The Official Chart, hosted by Jack Saunders.
2. BBC Radio 4
Reach: 8,976,000
Next up on the list of the most popular UK radio stations is BBC Radio 4, a news radio station. Although it wasn’t always called Radio 4, this station has a long history in the UK. Between 1939 and 1967, it was known as the BBC Home Service. In addition to news programs, BBC Radio 4 also broadcasts dramas, comedies, quiz shows, and other cultural programs.
1. BBC Radio 2
Reach: 13,318,000
BBC Radio 2 is just one of several BBC radio stations that you’ll find on this list. Launched in 1967, this radio station plays a wide selection of music, from classic rock to mainstream pop to country and just about every other genre out there. However, BBC Radio 2 primarily targets adults over the age of 35, a change meant to differentiate the station from BBC Radio 1, which generally focuses on a younger, more contemporary-focused demographic.
As of 1979, BBC Radio 2 became the first national 24-hour radio station in the UK. Some of the top broadcasters on BBC Radio 2 include Michael Ball, a famous West End and Broadway actor; Zoe Ball, who was the first solo female host of BBC Radio 1’s “Radio 1 Breakfast;” and Vernon Kay, who hosts the most popular radio show in the UK.
To Wrap Up
The most popular radio stations in the UK go to show the people of the UK have some pretty diverse listening habits, but this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the variety of what's on offer.
Thinking about starting your own radio station? Check out our tips for how to manage a successful radio station and why not speak to a radio expert by booking a demo?
