Radio apps are proving popular among smartphone users, Radio audience measurement body Rajar reveals.

According to new figures, 20% of smartphone users have installed a radio app and more than half of them are using it at least once a week.

The survey concludes that radio users seem to be adapting well to the internet with 31% of listeners tuning in online. The catch-up services are also gaining a foothold with 16% having downloaded a podcast.

It seems that listeners are becoming increasingly aware of personalised online radio services such as Last.fm, where the service creates a playlist based on previous track selections.

Christel Lacaze, research manager at Rajar, said that the growing market share of smartphones enables more people to tune in via mobile internet connections rather than an FM signal, giving them access to richer content on the go.

“These new findings are going to be of great interest to the industry and those involved in the development of radio apps”, he added.

Source: The Guardian, The Telegraph