Radio 1 is 'missing target age group'

Radio 1 has still not delivered on its aim to attract younger listeners, the BBC Trust has said.

The station, whose DJs include Chris Moyles, Fearne Cotton, Vernon Kay and Reggie Yates, is aimed at 15 to 29-year-olds.

But the BBC Trust said that despite changes made since 2009, the median age of listeners was 30.

In 2009, the Trust, the BBC's governing body, tightened the wording of Radio 1's service licence remit, emphasising that it was expected to focus on 15 to 29-year-olds rather than older listeners.

Today it said: "Our aim that Radio 1 focuses more clearly on a young target audience so that its median age is within the target age group is still outstanding," but it added that work was ongoing to address the issue.

"The median age has remained constant since our review completed in 2009 although, due to a change in Rajar methodology, it stands at 30, rather than 29, so just outside the target age group of 15 to 29-year-olds."

The Trust also said that it wanted to see BBC1 make "further progress" in broadcasting "distinctive programming in peak-time".

PA