Sunrise Radio has beaten the BBC Asian Network to the top spot, according to the latest RAJAR figures released today.

National

According to data released for the last three months, ending June 2008, Sunrise Radio has taken the top spot beating its closest rival BBC Asian Network with 502,000 listeners. Both stations have seen a drop in listeners since the last quarter.

In the first quarter of 2008, Sunrise Radio had a weekly reach of 514,000 with a 0.4% share in the surveyed area. It now stands with a reach of 502,000, a big increase in number of hours listeners are tuning in, to 8.5 hours. Its share in the market dropped slightly to 0.3%.

On the other hand, BBC Asian Network which previously occupied the top spot has seen a big fall in its weekly reach losing over 62,000 listeners from the previous quarter. Its reach went down from 535,000 listeners to 473,000, with listeners tuning in for less time - 6.8 hours compared to 8.5 hours, the previous quarter.

Local

Sunrise Radio's broadcast in the Greater London region has also seen an increase in its weekly reach. Its reach went up from 341,000 to 368,000. The number of hours listeners tuning in to the station has dropped from 8.4 hours to 6.2 hours.

The group's adult contemporary music led station Kismat Radio has witnessed a 2,000 increase in its audience from 68,000 to 70,000. However it seen a fall in market share from 0.2% to 0.1%.

Its youth music digital-only station Yarr Radio, which has recently been replaced by Punjabi Radio has retained the same amount of listeners from the previous quarter of 18,000. Its weekly reach was not monitored for this quarter.

London's Club Asia station has seen a slight increase to its listeners with 198,000 and 0.6% in the surveyed market area.

Other UK based Asian radio stations such as Radio XL in Birmingham, Sabras Radio in Leicester and Asian Sound in Manchester do not subscribe to RAJAR.

Related links:
RAJAR: Digital radio listening continues to grow
RAJAR:Results: Asian Network topples Sunrise
RAJAR to trial new measuring method
Asian radio industry gives DAB backing
RAJAR Results: Record high listeners for DAB
BBC Asian Network ups the ante on marketing