Global Dominates UK Radio as KISS Surges with 29% Listener Growth Post-Relaunch
October 29, 2026
Global remains the UK’s largest commercial radio group with a weekly reach of 29.1 million listeners and a 28% market share, driven by brands Heart, Capital, and Smooth.
Classic FM reaches 4.4 million weekly listeners, BBC Radio 3 has 1.96 million, and Classic FM Breakfast draws 1.9 million weekly listeners (versus 0.6 million for BBC Radio 3 Breakfast).
Commercial radio holds a 56% share, up 1.1 percentage points quarter-on-quarter, ahead of BBC services at 41.9%.
KISS’s digital engagement climbs, with YouTube views doubling and Instagram up 78% year on year, contributing to a 35% rise in overall digital platform views.
Executives Simon Myciunka and Gary Stein say the quarter showed strong momentum for KISS post-relaunch, highlighting the breakfast team and wider presenter lineup.
Live events and music programming, including Proms, supported sustained audience engagement across networks.
KISS breakfast show, hosted by Tyler West and Chloe Burrows, grew 29% year on year in listeners.
Global podcast and social activity expanded reach, with 199 million BBC podcast downloads outside BBC platforms and 1.63 billion video views on social media, up 28% quarter-on-quarter.
LBC’s agenda-setting lineup, featuring Nick Ferrari and James O’Brien, contributed to higher reach and hours year-on-year.
BBC Sounds Q3 2026 report outlines metrics and highlights, with a press pack available for specifics.
Hits Radio features a varied lineup, with Hits Radio 90s up 31% and Hits Radio 00s up 33% alongside presenters Fleur East, Will Best, James Barr, Sam Thompson, and Marvin Humes.
RAJAR shows KISS up 29% year-on-year to 1.7 million weekly listeners post-relaunch, with the KISS Network at 3.9 million weekly listeners (up 12%).
Summary based on 6 sources
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Sources

ATV Today | Daily Nightly • Oct 29, 2026
Global reports record 289 million listening hours in latest RAJAR figures
Advanced Television • Oct 29, 2026
Data: Global leads growth across UK commercial radio
Where to Watch • Oct 29, 2026
RAJAR: Heart and Capital celebrate huge listening figures
Where to Watch • Oct 29, 2026
RAJAR: KISS enjoys phenomenal audience growth as millions tune in to Hits Radio