The top 10 UK radio stations in 2019 (ranked by listener count)

Radio wasn’t always the diverse entertainment landscape we know today.

When the concept of radio began, it was intended for communication purposes, to help bring countries and citizens together. Over the years, we began to discover the benefits of broadcasting for entertainment too.

Today, although the world has evolved with the arrival of streaming services and digital channels, UK listeners still love radio. About 89% of the British population listen to the radio for an average of 21 hours per week — that’s a lot of listening time.

The question is, what does the average consumer listen to?

What is the most popular #UKRadio channel, and how do we define a “top” radio station anyway?

To simplify things, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 radio stations in the UK for 2019 — ranked by listener numbers.

Let’s take a look.

Ranking the UK’s top 10 radio stations in 2019

There are many different ways to potentially rank #RadioStations in the UK. For instance, you might choose the best channel based on its potential reach or ask a group of random people what their favourite programme is with a survey.

One of the easiest options is to simply look at the number of people who actively choose to tune into each channel every week. We looked at the latest numbers from the Rajar group — the body responsible for tracking radio listening figures in the UK, to bring you this list.

10. Magic FM (105.4)

With 4.1 million listeners in 2019, Magic FM is one of the most popular stations on the market. Originally launched in London during the 1990s, Magic has multiple stations across the North of the UK and belongs to the Bauer Radio network. Today, Magic is well-known for its wide variety of music and shows. Presenters have included everyone from Emma B, to Ronan Keating.

9. Kiss FM (100 MHz)

Kiss FM started life as an unlicensed pirate radio station and became an official station during 1985. Today, the channel is also owned by Bauer Radio and delivers music from a variety of different genres each day. Kiss FM has 5.2 million listeners each week, who tune in to hear from presenters like Carl Cox, DJ EZ, and Armin van Burren.

8. Classic FM (99.8–101.9 MHz)

The only long-standing radio station in the UK to offer nothing but classical music, Classic FM is the go-to-choice for classical listening. Launched in 1992, the channel now belongs to the Global Radio brand and has an average of 5.2 million listeners per week. Classic FM is one of the only three independent national stations in the UK and features presenters like Alan Titchmarsh and Andrew Collins.

7. BBC Radio 5 Live (693/909 kHz)

Best-known for its live coverage of sporting events, BBC Radio 5 Live is one of the #BestRadio stations in the UK for news, interviews, and alerts. The channel has over 5.4 million listeners, which places it just ahead of Classic FM in our top 10 list. This station, like the rest of the channels belonging to the BBC, is funded by the British TV license.

6. Smooth Radio (97–108 MHz)

Smooth radio has evolved rapidly over the years. Between 2018 and 2019, the listener count for this channel increased from 5.4 million per week to 5.7 million. Offering a range of contemporary music and breakfast shows, Smooth Radio is a go-to classic for many listeners each week. Notable presenters have included Mylene Klass, Andrew Castle, and Kate Garraway.

5. Capital FM (95–108 MHz)

One of the best-known radio stations in the UK, Capital Radio began in 1973 and belongs to the Global Radio Group today. The company has 12 stations located throughout the UK and reaches around 8.1 million listeners each week. This channel is a great place to go if you’re looking for a variety of entertainment programmes, contemporary music, and news bulletins. Notable presenters include Will Cozens, Vick Hope and Rob Ellis.

4. BBC Radio 1 (97.1–99.8 MHz)

BBC Radio 1 started broadcasting originally in 1967. Today, the company offers 24-hour transmissions to keep people entertained and informed wherever they are. When you tune into BBC 1, you’ll find music through the day, as well as niche programmes in the evening. Presenters on this station have included everyone from Tony Blackburn to Nick Grimshaw. Currently, BBC 1 has over 9.3 million listeners each week.

3. Heart (88–108 MHz)

One of the #BestUKRadio stations available for people in search of variety, Heart began in 1994, and now belongs to the Global brand. The network has 22 local stations operating around the UK, and 3 of those are franchised. In the past, Heart was best-known for its soft and relaxing music. Today, the station plays a combination of trending tunes and much-loved classics. Heart attracts 9.7 million listeners each week, with presenters like Emma Bunton, Amanda Holden, and Zoe Hardman.

2. BBC Radio 4 (92.5–96.1 MHz)

Delighting the masses with classic shows like The Archers and the UK’s most popular radio programme — Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 attracts 11 million listeners each week. The BBC channel broadcasts over both DAB and FM frequencies, as well as having partnerships with television stations. Launching in 1967, Radio 4 has become a go-to station for countless listeners over the years, with witty programmes and interviews broadcast every day.

1. BBC Radio 2 (88.1–90.2 MHz)

With more than 15.3 million listeners each week, BBC Radio 2 is easily the #BestRadioStation in the UK according to listener count. Launching in 1967, the channel was an evolution of the BBC Light Programme. Today, the station is known for its celebrity presenters like Paul O’Grady and Graham Norton. Additionally, BBC 2 offers a wide selection of top 40 chart singles, popular music from recent decades, and entertaining shows.

What are your favourite UK radio stations?

Though it’s easy to rank radio stations in the UK by the number of listeners they attract, there are plenty of amazing stations out there that might appeal to you more than the top 10 above. For instance, a YouGov study found that listeners rate BBC 6 Music as the best station on various fronts. However, this channel doesn’t even rank on our top 10 list.

The best radio stations in the UK for you will depend on your personal preferences. However, one thing remains certain — the British still love broadcasting today as much as they ever did. We’re continually tuning into stations through FM frequencies, DAB, and even the internet.

To find out more about the best UK radio stations, tune-in to our latest article here, or learn about each station’s story on RadioFidelity.com.

What’s the best British radio station, in your opinion?