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Digital radio has change into more popular than listening over FM and AM for the primary time, in keeping with new figures.
Radio analysis physique Rajar mentioned 50.9% of all listening within the UK was digital within the first three months of the 12 months.
That's up from 47.2% a 12 months in the past and marks the primary time digital has accounted for more than half of radio listening.
It means the federal government is now prone to contemplate whether or not it must overview the way forward for FM radio.
However, it appears unlikely that the analogue community shall be switched off within the foreseeable future.
There are nonetheless loads of black spots for the principle digital system, DAB, whereas about one third of listening by younger folks is now through telephones, which implies the event of 5G expertise might once more rework the business.
The BBC has mentioned it is absolutely dedicated to digital, however that switching off FM within the subsequent few years could be untimely.
The authorities has beforehand indicated it will undertake an overview to evaluate digital radio progress and decide the subsequent steps as soon as more than half of listeners have been consuming radio on digital platforms.
Speaking on the Tuning In industrial radio convention on Wednesday, digital and inventive industries minister Margot James mentioned "the 50% share will be an important milestone for radio".
She confirmed the federal government would "work closely with all partnersthe BBC, commercial radio, [infrastructure company] Arqiva, car manufacturers and listenersand subject to this will make some further announcements".