For the first time since the introduction of the newly launched methodology (in January 2007), digital platforms (DAB, Digital TV, Internet) listening figures have been accounted for.

The RAJAR results for the second quarter of this year reveals 12.8% of listening is now via a digital platform with digital listening hours totaling 136 million hours per week. Overall listening to digital only services is growing quickly, from 905,000 listeners in Q2, 2003 to 6.09 million in Q2, 2007 and during an average week 26.2% of the population (adults 15+) now listen to radio via a digital platform.

This is encouraging news for digital-only radio stations like Panjab Radio, Islam Radio, Punjabi Radio, Asian Sound, Masti Radio and Yarr Radio, as they all broadcast on DAB in their respective regions.

Panjab Radio was one of the first non-terrestrial Asian radio stations to broadcast on DAB. It launched at a time when DAB was a relatively unknown phenomenon and when public awareness in the Asian community of its benefits were low. Surjit Ghuman, Station Director of Panjab Radio welcomed today's news.

"Panjab Radio sees DAB as the future of Radio and has invested heavily in this platform laying down a solid infrastructure and will continue doing so in the future, which will allow it to be at the forefront of broadcasting. Through its own in-house marketing campaign Panjab Radio has raised DAB’s profile significantly amongst the Asian community and sold thousands of DAB sets directly to its listeners."

More to follow.

Related link:
RAJAR Results: Sunrise Radio maintains lead