26 October 2007
In a sign of digital media's rapid colonisation of the radio market, the BBC has announced that 8.5 million listeners are now using its DAB services.
According to latest Radio Joint Audience Research (Rajar) figures, 17 per cent of the UK population now use the service in preference to the analogue signals.
Director of BBC Audio & Music Jenny Abramsky commented: "The continued growth of digital radio once again the highlight of the quarter.
"It is pleasing to see digital listening, from DAB to podcasting, ensuring radio remains as popular and relevant as ever."
In further good news for the broadcaster, its radio audience reach increased year-on-year by 230,000, to cover 32.89 million listeners.
However, two of the service's flagship breakfast show DJs, Radio One's Chris Moyles and Radio Two's Terry Wogan, suffered audience losses of over 200,000 each since the last quarter.
The BBC now holds an overall UK radio audience share of 54%.