Radio 3 has achieved an impressive set of figures according to the latest RAJAR report, released today. In the first quarter of 2026, the station achieved a total of 2.1 million weekly listeners, up almost 8 per cent QoQ, with 861,000 listeners for Radio 3 Breakfast.
And there is good news, too, for Classical Unwind, Radio 3's spin-off station, launched on BBC Sounds in 2024, and subsequently on DAB+, as a 24/7 station showcasing a broad range of calming classical music. In its first reporting period, Unwind has achieved 388,000 weekly listeners.
- BBC Radio 3 launches Unwind – a 24/7 stream of calming classical music on BBC Sounds
- BBC Radio 3 Unwind launches on DAB+
Radio 3's figures are part of a strong quarter for BBC radio overall. The BBC continues to be the number one radio brand, with 31.4 million people tuning in each week across its live radio stations, while BBC Sounds has achieved a record first quarter, with 718 million plays of radio, podcasts and music between January and March – up 5 per cent on the same period last year.
Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and the BBC Proms said:
'In a buoyant quarter for BBC Radio it’s great to see Radio 3 achieving 2.1 million listeners every week and Radio 3 Unwind – for its first RAJAR – being enjoyed by nearly 400,000 people.
'In a quarter which saw our American Roadtrip, the conclusion of our innovative year-long series 20th Century Radicals, and the success of Radio 3 Unwind with its distinctive and varied content, I’m delighted that people are flocking to the BBC for the breadth and depth of music that we offer.'
