It\u2019s easy to underestimate the power of radio. For some, it may be considered a relic. That wooden box on a shelf, transmitting an outdated listening format. But radio is so much more than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, radio remains one of the most listened to forms of audio around the world \u2013 delivering an endless choice of highly-curated music, sport, chat, news and entertainment content. It\u2019s also a constant in our daily routines, providing the soundtrack to our lives \u2013 whether at home or on the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To commemorate UNESCO\u2019s World Radio Day on Thursday 13th February, we\u2019re following up on last year\u2019s The Psychology of Sound<\/a> study \u2013 taking a deeper look into the powerful emotional connection people have with radio, while also exploring their daily listening habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The research, which polled 2,000 Brits, reveals the extent of loneliness felt across the nation. Despite living in an increasingly connected world, 1 in 5 of those surveyed say that they don\u2019t feel connected to the people around them. The average Brit feels lonely for two days a week, and 1 in 4 (23%) say they will sometimes go days without speaking to anyone. 1 in 10 also admit that they only speak to other people at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But for many, radio is the saving grace. 47% of Brits put on radio to keep them from feeling lonely and 1 in 4 (25%) say they listen to radio stations (DAB and satellite) that they know when feeling lonely \u2013 just for the familiarity of the voice they\u2019re listening to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Data shows the connection people have with DAB+ radio, as it comes third (32%) in the line-up of entertainment consumed when they are feeling lonely \u2013 with 1 in 3 saying it acts as a digital companion. More than a third of people also like to put on the radio as background noise, to use as a coping mechanism when feeling lonely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Becky Spelman, behavioural psychologist, said: \u201cLoneliness affects people in different ways, and there are various ways people try to counter it, including listening to a familiar voice on the radio or TV. From a psychological point of view, having access to new music, discussions around the news or interviews at the touch of a button is an important way of dealing with loneliness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to daily habits, people surveyed say they most often listen to radio driving on the way to\/from work (42%). 50% of people listen to radio on the go, during daily activities and whilst doing manual labour. For example, gardening (11%), manual labour (14%) walking or on the train to and from work (15%) and in the shower (11%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A third also say that they listen to the radio once or twice a day. The most popular time to listen to the radio is 11am.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCombating loneliness with radio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A daily companion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n