Hits Radio Transforms UK Radio Landscape with National Expansion and Record Listenership

1 January 2026 Media and Broadcasting

Introduction: The Rise of Hits Radio

Hits Radio has emerged as a major force in UK commercial radio, reshaping how millions of Britons consume contemporary music and entertainment. The Hits Radio Network secured an audience of 7.1m listeners in Q1 2025, representing a 5.7% year-on-year increase, demonstrating the station’s growing appeal among 25-44 year-olds across England, Wales and Scotland. The station’s transformation from regional services to a unified national brand marks a significant shift in British broadcasting.

National Breakfast Show Launch

Hits Radio introduced a single national Breakfast show across England and Wales from June 9th 2025, ending regional Breakfast shows which broadcast for the final time on June 6th. Fleur East presents Hits Radio Breakfast every weekday morning, from 6am until 10am, alongside Will Best and James Barr. Will Best joined Fleur and James as a new co-host from Monday 28th April 2025, strengthening the show’s entertainment credentials with his Big Brother hosting experience.

Expanding the Radio Portfolio

Bauer Media has strategically expanded the Hits Radio brand with decade-specific spin-offs. On 31 March 2025, Bauer launched two decades spin-off stations Hits Radio 90s and Hits Radio 00s, catering to audiences seeking nostalgia-driven playlists. In early September 2025, new localised variants of Hits Radio for fourteen areas of England and north Wales began operating online and on digital radio, allowing for local news and advertising whilst maintaining networked programming.

Conclusion: Hits Radio’s Significance

Hits Radio’s expansion reflects changing consumption patterns in UK radio, with audiences increasingly accepting national programming alongside local content. Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio combined now reach 13.1m listeners, positioning Bauer Media as a dominant player in commercial radio. For listeners, this consolidation offers consistent quality programming and celebrity presenters, though it represents a move away from traditional hyper-local broadcasting. The station’s growth trajectory suggests Hits Radio will continue shaping the UK’s radio landscape throughout 2025 and beyond.