The UK’s first radio ratings result for 2007 has been released, revealing an outstanding report card for the medium.

Despite newspapers, magazines and television charting an overall loss in audience to the Internet, the UK radio industry is now reporting the highest total audience figures since records began in 1992.

RAJAR, the Radio Joint Audience Research organisation, says the spectacular growth can be attributed to the fact that UK broadcasters are distributing their programming through new platforms, particularly DAB digital radio and television.

Despite ongoing marketing campaigns to highlight the advantages of digital radio, the biggest contributor to growth on the new platforms is the extraordinary number of Britons listening through Freeview or Sky Digital television receivers.

In a statement following the release of the figures, BBC Music director Jenny Abramsky says:

“It’s great to see radio listening at a record high. It proves that radio still plays an incredibly important part in people’s lives and that, despite the range of new media available, listeners continue to value the close relationship they have with radio.”