Radio has long been a cornerstone of music discovery and audience engagement. Despite the rise of streaming services like Spotify, new analysis from Radiomonitor confirms that radio remains the biggest music platform in the world, delivering more hit music exposure than all other platforms combined. In some regions, radio’s reach dwarfs streaming services, making it an irreplaceable force in the music industry.
The Dominance of Radio
Radiomonitor’s data reveals that in Europe, radio generates at least five times the exposure of Spotify. This discrepancy is even more pronounced in countries like Nigeria, where radio outperforms Spotify by a factor of 48 due to lower streaming adoption. While streaming services continue to grow, radio’s reach remains unparalleled in terms of total listens.
To put this into perspective, Spotify’s most-streamed song of 2024, Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter, amassed 1.6 billion streams globally. However, in the UK alone, radio played the same track over 1.3 billion times in 2024. Similarly, Beautiful Things by Benson Boone, the second most-streamed song on Spotify, had 120 million streams in the UK but was heard 1.8 billion times on UK radio, demonstrating a 15x exposure multiple in favor of radio.
Weekly Chart Comparisons: Radio vs. Spotify
To further analyze the disparity, Radiomonitor compared weekly chart rankings from Spotify UK and UK radio (Week 6, 2025). The results were stark:
- The top song on Spotify had 3.6 million streams.
- The top song on radio was heard 51.4 million times.
- Lola Young – Messy topped both charts, yet radio provided 14 times more exposure than Spotify.
This difference is even more striking when looking beyond the top songs. The median Radio Multiple (RM) for the UK was found to be 10, meaning that, on average, a song in the top 200 radio chart is heard 10 times more than a song in Spotify’s top 200.
Global Trends in Radio’s Reach
The dominance of radio over streaming is not confined to the UK. Radiomonitor’s analysis across multiple countries shows a consistent pattern. Even in regions where Spotify holds a dominant market share, such as Europe (56% of streaming users), radio still outperforms it.
A Radio Multiple (RM) of 2 or 3 would already make radio the dominant platform globally. However, data consistently shows an RM of at least 5 across various markets. In regions where streaming penetration is lower, such as South Africa and Nigeria, the RM rises to 31 and 48, respectively. This means that in those countries, a song is heard on the radio 31 to 48 times more than it is streamed on Spotify.
The Significance of Radio in the Music Industry
Radio’s unparalleled reach extends beyond just numbers. Unlike streaming, where songs are often played in isolation, radio provides context through presenter commentary, interviews, and curated playlists. This creates a deeper connection between artists and audiences, fostering greater fan engagement.
Moreover, radio plays a critical role in the financial ecosystem of the music industry. The exposure generated by radio drives additional revenue streams, including:
- Increased streaming numbers on digital platforms.
- Higher download and physical music sales.
- Greater demand for concert tickets, which has become the primary revenue source for artists.
The importance of radio exposure in the live music economy is particularly evident in the UK, where live music revenue reached £6.1 billion in 2023, compared to £1.4 billion from recorded music (source: BPI and Live Music Industry Reports). Given this revenue disparity, radio’s ability to promote concerts and build artist recognition is more critical than ever.
The Question of Measurement: Streams vs. Listens
One of the lingering questions in this analysis is whether a single radio listen equates to a single Spotify stream. While direct comparisons may require further study, one fact remains indisputable:
A song that reaches No.1 on the Radiomonitor airplay chart is the most listened-to song across all platforms and settings combined. No other music platform provides the same level of exposure, making radio the definitive leader in music reach and influence.
Conclusion
In a world dominated by digital music consumption, radio continues to hold its ground as the biggest music platform globally. Its ability to reach millions, influence streaming behavior, and drive artist revenue makes it an indispensable tool in the music industry. Whether through curated programming, presenter-led engagement, or massive listenership, radio remains the gold standard for music exposure. While streaming services continue to evolve, they have yet to match the sheer reach and impact of radio—a testament to its enduring power in shaping the music landscape.
