05 May 2005 | James Holland

RAJAR Results Q1 2005: Capital Ahead On Reach But Heart Moves Infront With Hours

The latest RAJAR figures for the three months to March show Capital FM retaining its position at the top of the London market with 2.1 million listeners, over 200,000 ahead of its closest rival, Heart 106.2.

However, the latest RAJAR data shows Heart 106.2 listeners are tuning in for longer than their Capital counterparts, giving the station the largest share of listening in the capital. Heart now commands a 7% share in London, compared with Capital FM’s 6.1% share.

Chrysalis-owned Heart has taken a huge step forward with its increased share of listening, from a total of 5.3% last quarter, representing a rise of 1.7% points quarter on quarter and 1.2% points year on year. The station has also boosted its weekly reach, adding 4.08% year on year to just under 1.9 million.

The change in fortunes is sure to disturb Capital bosses ahead of their merger with GWR, especially as the group’s flagship station is also being squeezed by Emap’s Magic FM, with a 6% share of listening compared to Capital’s 6.1%.

Magic has also seen its weekly reach rise, adding an impressive 18.06% year on year to command a total audience of just over 1.7 million, and while Capital saw its weekly reach slip by 9.91% in the same period, the station has notched up a quarter on quarter increase of 3.23%.

March 2005 RAJAR Weekly Reach (000s) Comparisons
Station	Ending Mar 04	Ending Jun 04	Ending Sep 04	Ending Dec 04	Ending Mar 05	PoP % Change Dec 04 vs Mar 05
Capital 95.8 FM	2,341	2,107	2,172	2,043	2,109	3.23
Heart 106.2 FM	1,789	1,929	1,810	1,621	1,862	14.87
Kiss 100 FM	1,477	1,554	1,527	1,488	1,286	-13.58
Magic FM (London)	1,462	1,535	1,581	1,593	1,726	8.35
Virgin 105.8 FM London	951	959	864	865	912	5.43

Elsewhere, Virgin 105.8 saw quarter on quarter growth of 5.43%, following much innovation by the recently re-branded rock and indie station in delivery methods to provide its services on a multitude of platforms (see Virgin Makes Podvertising First With Pete And Geoff).

The station has also boosted to its share of listening, adding a substantial 0.9% points year on year to command a 3.9% share.

Meanwhile, Emap’s Kiss 100 FM saw its share of listening level out after previous declines, despite a slip of 13.57% in weekly reach quarter on quarter, suggesting that its listeners are loyal to the brand, tuning in for longer to counteract its declining weekly reach. The dance music station currently commands a weekly audience of just under 1.3 million.

March 2005 RAJAR Share Of Listening (%) Comparisons
Station	Ending Mar 04	Ending Jun 04	Ending Sep 04	Ending Dec 04	Ending Mar 05	PoP % Change Dec 04 vs Mar 05
Capital 95.8 FM	7.9	6.6	7.2	6.2	6.1	-0.10
Heart 106.2 FM	5.8	6.5	5.4	5.3	7.0	1.70
Kiss 100 FM	4.2	4.7	4.5	3.9	3.9	0.00
Magic FM (London)	4.6	4.6	4.8	6.1	6.0	-0.10
Virgin 105.8 FM London	2.3	2.7	2.6	2.9	3.2	0.30