KM Radio is proving popular, with more people than ever tuning in to the five independent local stations owned and run by the Kent Messenger Group.

Latest annual listening figures issued by Radio Joint Authority Research reveal increases in listenership, particularly for the Mercury FM stations in Medway and Tonbridge, acquired earlier this year by the KM Group.

Overall, KM Radio listenership is up by more than 16 per cent, year on year, to 150,000 listeners a week.

In Medway, the audience grew by more than a third, while the Tonbridge station has increased its listenership by almost a quarter.

There has been steady growth for KM stations in east Kent, with TLR, in Thanet, recording an average weekly increase in listenership of almost 20 per cent.

In Canterbury, CTFM showed a year on year upturn in listening hours from a weekly average of 140.9 to 157.3 hours.

Neptune, which broadcasts in the Folkestone and Dover area is also proving a hit. Weekly listenership has gone up by 14.1 per cent.

KM Radio director, Gavin de Carle said: "The programme changes implemented at the two former Mercury stations have shown early, positive results, giving us confidence that our local strategy is appealing to the local market places."

KM Group chief executive David Lewis added: "One of our strengths is the ability to be so local. This is something the Kent Messenger Group has always been utterly determined about.

"Our radio format has been built on the same model as our local newspapers - very local, very relevant with great music and a cracking good news service too."

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