Another 750,000 listeners switch off BBC radio - while commercial gains more audience after welcoming former Radio 2 host Ken Bruce

Published: 23:04, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 23:07, 5 August 2026 Commercial radio has taken another bite out of the BBC's audience figures as it lost 750,000 listeners over the past year. Radio 1 had an average of 7.48 million weekly listeners between April and June last year, compared to 6.9 million in the same period this year - a drop of 579,000, according to radio research group RAJAR. In contrast, commercial radio - which welcomed former BBC Radio hosts such as Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo - has had more listeners over the last year, up by 2 per cent. Radio 1 came under fire last month when it announced the cull of six long-standing DJs in a huge shake-up of the presenting roster.  Melvin Odoom, who had been at the station for seven years, was dropped, as was Dean McCullough and Rickie Haywood-Williams, all to make way for fresh talent such as social media star GK Barry. The latest set of figures covers the period before this was announced, so whether the brutal culling pays off remains to be seen. The Radio 1 Breakfast Show, hosted by Greg James, also saw a drop of 144,000 listeners in the last three months, although it remains the UK's most-listened to breakfast show for younger listeners. But commercial station Greatest Hits, which is now home to ex-Radio 2 veterans Bruce, Mayo and Zoe Ball, enjoyed an increase of 54,000 weekly listeners in the last quarter.  As BBC radio loses listeners, in contrast, commercial radio - which welcomed former BBC Radio hosts such as Ken Bruce (pictured) and Simon Mayo - has had more listeners over the last year, up by 2 per cent The Radio 1 Breakfast Show, hosted by Greg James (pictured), also saw a drop of 144,000 listeners in the last three months, although it remains the UK's most-listened to breakfast show for younger listeners Greatest Hits 60s and Greatest Hits 80s have continued to grow their audience, as have Capital's spin-off stations. Radio 1's new station launches, which include Radio 1 Anthems and Radio 1 Dance, have however boosted their audience. Radio 2, which has been grappling with the scandal over former presenter Scott Mills after he was sacked over historical allegations of sexual offences, has lost just over a quarter of a million listeners since last year - a drop of 2 per cent. It still remains the UK's most listened-to radio station, with Vernon Kay's mid-morning slot attracting 6.8 million. Radio 4 also saw a drop, with its flagship Today programme losing 54,000 listeners since March.