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Radio Broadcasting in the UK - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Harry Dee Harry Dee London, United Kingdom Last Updated: July 2025 SIC UK-J601

Revenue

£8.1bn

2025-26

£8.0bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£X.Xbn

Employees

116k

Businesses

8,049

Wages

£X.Xbn

Radio Broadcasting in the UK industry analysis

Radio broadcasting has undergone a steady decline over the past few decades as a result of shrinking listenership and falling advertising interest. In the past, radio stations enjoyed almost exclusive access to the audience's ears, offering them a variety of music and audio entertainment. However, with competition from podcasts and music streaming platforms soaring, many people are opting for these alternative media. Over the five years through 2025, radio broadcasting revenue is projected to fall at a compound annual rate of 5.6%, including an estimated 3.9% dip in 2025 alone, to sit at a projected €8.1 billion.

Trends and Insights

  • Public broadcasters hold a significant share of audiences. They maintain this dominance by targeting varied audiences and being funded through licensing fees or taxes, rather than relying on advertising revenue.
  • Music is the main draw for radio listeners. Despite competition from streaming platforms, music playing radio stations are still the most popular across Europe, leading stations to evolve into music discovery platforms with additional content.
  • Public broadcasters dominate domestic markets. Across the continent, the market is fragmented by national borders, but domestically, public broadcasters often dominate.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

The market size of the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom is £8.1bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

There are 8,049 businesses in the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.6 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 4.5 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What does the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom include?

Music Radio and Sport Radio are part of the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom.

How competitive is the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Radio Broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

National licenses are needed to broadcast radio. There is a limited number of radio waves available, so broadcasts are licensed out by national regulators.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Radio Broadcasting in the UK industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Radio's profitability declines amid competition and funding cuts. This results from reduced listener numbers, decreased advertiser demand and shrinking state funding, forcing broadcasters to resort to cost-cutting measures.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Radio Broadcasting in the UK industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2025)
  • Business Growth (2025)
  • Job Growth (2025)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2025)
  • Imports/Demand (2025)
  • Exports/Revenue (2025)
  • Revenue per Employee (2025)
  • Wages/Revenue (2025)
  • Employees per Establishment (2025)
  • Average Wage (2025)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights. 

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