Global, the Media and Entertainment group, today revealed that digital listening figures via Global Player on connected devices such as smart speakers, phones, tablets and desktop, are up across its entire portfolio of commercial radio brands, whilst millions of people adapt to new working routines.

Global, Europe’s largest radio company and home of Capital, Heart, Classic FM, LBC, LBC News, Global’s Newsroom, Smooth, Radio X, Capital XTRA and Gold, said that there has been a significant increase in connected radio listening, with daily reach up 15% and hours up 9%, between 9th-17th March.

LBC displayed the most notable growth across Global’s portfolio, with its daily reach growing by 43% and listening hours increasing by 17% from March 8th.

In addition to LBC’s regular on air coverage, Global have launched the Coronavirus UK Daily Update with Nick Ferrari podcast on Global Player and other podcast platforms.

Global also reported that it had seen a rise of almost 10% across its news podcasts on DAX. DAX represents some of the biggest news podcasts in the industry from publisher brands including LBC and Sky News.

In the same period, Heart, the UK’s biggest commercial radio brand, saw its daily audience increase by 11% as people tuned in for feel-good entertainment from the likes of Heart Breakfast presenters, Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden. Smooth’s relaxing music playlist also proved to be a comforting source of listening, increasing its average daily reach by 12% as employers urge the work force to prioritise their mental health during a period of uncertainty.

According to Global’s data insights, listening to the radio via smart speaker is at its highest ever level – up 11% – as people spend more time in their homes. In addition to live radio, engagement across other digital audio channels also increased between 9th-17th March. Music streaming was up more than 23% whilst Alexa flash news briefings increased 156%. *