Radio 1 listening numbers drop to their lowest in over 12 years

Listener numbers have dropped by 820,000, from 10.5 million to 9.7 million. This also marks the lowest numbers that Breakfast Show presenter Nick Grimshaw has drawn in since taking over from Chris Moyles in 2012; the last time numbers were so low was 2003, when Sara Cox was coming to the end of her reign.

Ben Cooper, the controller of Radio 1, played down the news, claiming it to be part of the plan: “Since Radio 1 has been completely focused on younger audiences – and the most common age of a Radio 1 listener is 21 – it was highly likely some older listeners would move on, like the half a million over-30s that left us this quarter. I’m pleased that Grimmy is doing what I’ve asked of him by keeping his young audience happy and scaring off the over-30s."

In related news, Radio 4 Extra "leapfrogged" Radio 6 Music into the most popular digital-only radio station.

Fearne Cotton's final show is airing today (22 May), while new music stalwart Zane Lowe upped roots for a move to Apple earlier this year.

[via The Guardian]