The BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, now helmed by Sara Cox, has seen an increase in average listeners during its first three months under her tenure. From July to September, the show attracted an average of 6.4 million listeners, a rise from the 6.1 million who tuned in during the same period last year when Scott Mills was presenter.
These figures align with the average audience Mills maintained during his 14-month stint at the helm. Mills was removed from the airwaves in March following reports of a police investigation into sexual misconduct claims made by an underage individual. While the latest figures show growth, a slight dip had been noted in his final months on air, suggesting some listeners had already tuned out before the scandal broke. Gary Davies, who provided cover between April and July, also saw a slight dip in figures during his time hosting.
Despite the listener growth, reports have emerged of tension behind the scenes, with some staff reportedly feeling uncomfortable and "on edge" due to Cox's on-air habit of calling out mistakes and naming those responsible. Insiders claim that studio managers and technicians dislike working on the show with her, feeling that mistakes are unfairly highlighted, which goes against team spirit.
A BBC spokesperson commented on these reports, stating that "live radio is at its best when it feels spontaneous and real, and this was simply a lighthearted, on-air moment between colleagues." The spokesperson added that Cox's "warm, lively presenting style and great relationship with the breakfast team are genuine - and that authentic chemistry is exactly what our millions of listeners tune in for every weekday morning."
Cox herself has praised her team, describing them as a "brilliant bunch of people" and "massive radio geeks." She told The Sun, "We have the best listeners in the world and I have the best job in the world. I’ve got an incredible team."
Overall, Radio 2 has grown its weekly listener base to 12.7 million, making it the UK's most popular single radio station. Vernon Kay's mid-morning slot remains the most popular radio show in the UK, with 6.8 million listeners.
In contrast, Radio 4 has experienced a decline, losing 232,000 listeners in the last three months. Its flagship Today programme saw a drop from 5.6 million to 5.2 million listeners. A BBC spokesperson attributed this to changing listening habits and the increasing popularity of podcasts and on-demand platforms, while emphasizing Radio 4's continued success on BBC Sounds. The corporation's ongoing budget cuts, which will reduce the number of permanent Today presenters and lead to the axing of shows like You and Yours and The World Tonight, may also be a factor.