Newcomer Radio47, which was launched in March 2023 has joined the top five radio stations after only one year.

The Media Council of Kenya’s latest report on radio listenership provides insightful data into how Kenyans are engaging with radio broadcasts throughout 2021 to 2023.

This deep dive into the state of the media landscape offers a clear view of the shifts in listener habits, popular stations, and the technological strides affecting radio access in Kenya.

According to the Media Council of Kenya’s 2023/2024 report, there has been a noticeable fluctuation in the amount of time Kenyans spend listening to the radio daily.

The data reveals a consistent trend where a significant portion of the population listens to the radio for less than 30 minutes, with this figure slightly dropping from 10% in 2021 to 9% in 2023.

However, the most substantial listening block, 1-2 hours, saw a rise in 2022 but experienced a slight drop in 2023, balancing at 18%.

Interestingly, while the segments for 3-4 hours and 5-6 hours of listening have seen minor adjustments, the group of Kenyans who do not listen to the radio at all has increased from 22% in 2021 to 25% in 2023.

This suggests a diversification in media consumption habits, possibly influenced by digital alternatives.

The analysis of listening times reveals peak radio usage during the morning hours of 6:00 am to 9:00 am, with 33% of listeners tuning in during this time in 2023, a slight decrease from 35% in 2022.

The evening slot from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm also shows a significant listener base, indicating that morning and evening drives or routines are prime times for radio engagement in Kenya.

Radio Citizen and Radio Jambo lead the pack as the most listened-to stations in 2023, with Radio Citizen commanding a robust 22% of the listener share. Radio Jambo follows closely at 14%.

Radio47, which was launched in March 2023 has joined the top five radio stations after only one year.

“Radio 47, a new entrant, is up at 5 per cent. There is something they are doing right,” MCK CEO David Omwoyo said during the launch.