GB News Radio has recorded the fastest growth among UK speech-radio networks, according to the latest RAJAR audience figures for the first quarter of 2026, marking a significant shift in a sector long dominated by established commercial players.
The station reported a 21% year-on-year increase in reach, taking its audience to 676,000 listeners. That performance places it ahead of key rivals, with Times Radio drawing 604,000 listeners and Talk reaching 560,000 over the same period. The results underscore intensifying competition in a market that has attracted substantial investment from major media groups in recent years.
Growth at GB News Radio outpaced several competitors, including Talk, which recorded a 16% rise, and LBC, which posted a 6% increase. Times Radio, however, saw its annual reach fall by 3%, raising questions about its longer-term audience trajectory within the News UK portfolio.
Listening hours for GB News Radio rose slightly to 4.35 million, up 1% year on year. While modest compared with its reach expansion, the broadcaster said the figure reflects growing audience loyalty and sustained engagement across its schedule.
A notable feature of GB News Radio’s expansion has been its performance among younger listeners. The station reported a 20% rise in audience share among adults aged 35 to 54, with male listeners in that demographic increasing by 30%. Industry analysts note that this age group remains highly valuable for advertisers within the speech-radio sector.
Ben Briscoe, head of programming at GB News, said the figures reflected changing listening habits and stronger audience connection. He attributed the growth to increased demand for breaking news coverage and opinion-led programming across the network’s schedule.
The radio success mirrors a period of strong performance for the wider GB News media group. On local election results day, the television channel became the most-watched news broadcaster in the UK, averaging 185,700 viewers and outperforming both Sky News and the BBC News Channel. The channel has also maintained consistent viewership gains over recent months, strengthening its position in a competitive broadcast landscape.
Analysts say the latest RAJAR results highlight a fragmenting speech-radio market, with audience share increasingly distributed across multiple operators. The data suggests that newer entrants are no longer simply competing for space but are actively reshaping the hierarchy of UK radio broadcasting.
