New Ofcom report and MIDAS survey: Audio’s continuing evolution

Audio in the UK continues to thrive according to Ofcom’s 2026 Audio Listening in the UK report, with 93% of adults listening each week, and rising to 98% among 16-34s.

The new report also reinforces the strength of music radio which holds its position as the single most-used audio type in the UK. The car also remains an important listening environment for live radio, which accounts for a 71% share of all in-car audio listening, well ahead of online music (19%) and podcasts (4%). It’s clear that radio’s mix of curation, companionship and shared listening experiences continues to resonate with people.

At the same time, audio consumption habits are evolving. Ofcom’s research shows the continued rise of podcasts and video podcasts, with weekly podcast reach growing to 27% of adults in Q1 2026, up from 23% a year earlier.

RAJAR MIDAS, the official industry data on how UK adults are consuming audio across different platforms, also shows a similar picture with podcasts reaching 25% of the UK population on a weekly basis, according to its latest survey for Spring 2026. This has grown significantly in recent years but appears to act as supplement rather than substitute for live radio, which still has an impressive 86% weekly reach and accounts for the vast majority (66%) of time spent listening to audio. 

As shown in Radiocentre’s Speed of Sound report, commercial broadcasters are applying their expertise in audio to become major players in the podcast industry. They now produce and promote shows of all kinds, from health and comedy series like What’s My Age Again? with Katherine Ryan to agenda setting current affairs pods like The News Agents. As a result, they can offer scale and experience, while providing advertisers with access to almost 90% of UK commercial audio listening across broadcast and digital audio.

Video podcasts are also on the rise and are enhancing the podcast experience according to Ofcom’s report. Almost all of the most popular podcast titles in the UK now offer a video. People tend to find podcasts with video more engaging, with 44% agreeing with the statement “I find podcasts with video more engaging” against 26% who disagree. This rises among those who use YouTube as their primary platform (63% agree vs 12% disagree).

This trend is reflected in growing investment from commercial broadcasters in a range of exciting new content. Global recently announced the launch of Global Studios, acquired The Fellas Studios, and agreed a wider YouTube partnership enabling it to sell premium ad inventory directly. Bauer is also continuing to expand its original podcasts offering with new shows featuring UK talent, like Tyler West and Mollie Rainford, as well as providing access to a huge range of high-profile titles through its partnership with the SiriusXM podcast network.

Alongside their significant presence at industry events like The Podcast Show, these developments demonstrate the industry’s ambitions for future growth, while reinforcing that commercial radio groups are already operating from a position of strength.