The UK government has formally launched a major review of the nation's radio and audio sector, prompted by the dramatic shift in listening habits as digital platforms now account for nearly three-quarters of all radio consumption.
Digital Dominance Drives Policy Review
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced the comprehensive assessment, noting that 74.6% of UK radio listening now occurs through digital or online platforms. This represents a fundamental transformation in how audiences engage with audio content, with traditional analogue services facing increasing obsolescence.
Media minister Ian Murray emphasised radio's enduring significance as a "powerful and popular medium," while acknowledging that "listening habits are changing as even more people access radio via digital and online platforms, whether at home or in the car."
Examining the Future of FM and Analogue Services
The review will specifically investigate the feasibility of implementing a complete digital switchover for radio within the coming decade. This would potentially involve "a managed transition away from FM" and other analogue broadcasting methods that have served the UK for generations.
Government officials will determine not only if such a transition is advisable but also "over what timescale" it should occur. This careful consideration follows a 2021 review that recommended delaying any mandated analogue switch-off until at least 2030, ensuring vulnerable populations and remote communities maintain access to essential news and entertainment services.
Broader Implications for Broadcasting Infrastructure
Beyond radio specifically, the review will examine the potential impact on Freeview, the free-to-air digital terrestrial television service, regarding radio distribution. This comes as DCMS and regulator Ofcom concurrently assess the future of UK television distribution, which might see Freeview phased out within the same timeframe.
The assessment will also explore the growing role of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in both radio production and consumption. Minister Murray noted that "the use of AI as a tool is only going to keep increasing in the coming years and this will impact how radio is made and consumed."
Industry Collaboration and Timeline
The review commences on February 13, strategically coinciding with World Radio Day, and will conclude in autumn 2026. It represents a collaborative effort between government and industry partners, including the BBC, commercial radio groups, and industry body Radiocentre.
Matt Payton, chief executive of Radiocentre, welcomed the initiative, stating: "Radio remains extremely popular, yet listening habits continue to change, driven by new technology and innovation. Whether audiences are listening on smart speakers, a radio set or in a connected car, it's vital to ensure that distribution and access to radio is secure for the future."
Jonathan Wall, director of BBC Sounds, echoed this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for "the opportunity to work together with our colleagues in commercial radio and across the industry during the radio review" to protect radio's future for listeners.
Addressing Generational Listening Divides
The review will carefully analyse changing listener behaviour across demographic groups. Previous research revealed stark generational differences, with younger audiences predominantly using smart speakers for radio consumption while older and vulnerable listeners remain more dependent on traditional analogue services.
The 2021 report specifically recommended revisiting decisions about analogue services in 2026, making the current review particularly timely and consequential for determining the long-term architecture of UK audio broadcasting.
Ultimately, the government aims to ensure "that the UK radio industry has the right support to thrive long into the future" while balancing technological advancement with universal access to this culturally significant medium.
