Radio 4 audience numbers 'higher than ever'
5th August 2011
The number of people tuning in to Radio 4 is now higher than ever, according to a new report, with the BBC claiming the station's cultural offering is appealing to the general public.
New figures released by analyst Rajar show that weekly audience numbers have increased by 450,000 in the last year alone, with 10.8 million now tuning in every week.
This is the highest proportion of the UK public since the station was launched in 1967 and Tim Davie, director of BBC Audio & Music, said the station's cultural offering has played a significant role in this increase.
'Radio 4 and [digital-only station] Radio 4 Extra play a unique role in the country's cultural and news agenda, so I am delighted to see listeners tuning into them in record numbers,' he added.
Last week, Radio 4 made a U-turn on its decision to reduce the number of short stories broadcast on the station each week from three to one, following pressure from a number of authors and broadcasters.