Radio mobile: Lockdown has dramatic impact on how Kilkenny people tune in

Lockdown has been good to the South East’s regional radio station as digital innovations hit the right note with their listeners.

Beat 102-103 has recorded an impressive 560% increase in listenership on smartphones and smart speakers such as Alexa, Echo and Siri.

The change in working patterns as a result of the Covid restrictions in Kilkenny and the South East has inspired a dramatic change in listening habits.

Beat Station Head Niall Power said: “2020 was the year we saw a big shift to digital listening as lifestyles changed.

“Research shows that people consume more audio after they purchase a smart speaker – and we’re certainly seeing that on our Beat channels with smart speaker listening now overtaking both mobile and desktop listening for the first time.”

Overall, listening hours on Beat’s digital streams were up 62% year on year, while Active Listening Sessions grew by 48%.