Premier Christian Radio listeners are more loyal than BBC audiences, stats suggest

They show the typical PCR listener is tuning in for 18 hours every week – more than any other network brand across the country.

Programme director Bernard Achampong told Premier’s Inspirational Breakfast show: “People are spending 18 hours a week with us.

“I think big brands like BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 2 have people spending eleven hours a week, so that’s quite a margin.”

PCR is also celebrating an increase in market share – from 0.5 per cent in the final three months of 2017 to 1.4 per cent in the first three months of this year.

Weekly reach also rose in that time, from 141,800 to 157,800 listeners.

The average BBC Radio 4 audience member spent 11.8 hours per-week listening, while the figure for BBC Radio 2 was 11.7 hours.

Bernard Achampong continued: “I think it’s because we do something different.

“We’re not just trying to entertain people; we’re not just trying to push content on you.

“We’re actually spending time with you; we broadcast up to eight hours of ministry programmes per-day.

“Not many radio stations do things like that.”

The statistics were compiled by RAJAR, or Radio Joint Audience Research – the official body in charge of measuring radio audiences across the UK.

Convinced that the ability of radio to tackle loneliness will ensure its survival amid technological changes, Bernard Achampong added: “You can watch television but it’s not quite the same…