The radio broadcasting market in Catalonia is undergoing significant changes. According to the latest EGM survey, SER radio has not only maintained but also strengthened its position, becoming the third most popular station in the region. For Catalonia’s residents, this means media preferences are shifting and competition between stations is intensifying. The growth in SER’s audience could influence advertising budgets, programming formats, and even the topics discussed on air.
According to EGM’s second survey wave, SER’s daily audience in Catalonia has reached 450,000 people. This is an increase of 64,000 compared to the previous year—up 17%. This result confirms a steady rise that began several years ago and peaked in December 2025, when a historic record in listenership was set. Today, SER confidently holds third place among all radio stations in the region, significantly ahead of COPE and Onda Cero, and surpasses the combined audience of its three nearest competitors.
Programming trends
SER’s popularity in Catalonia is driven by consistent performance from key programs. The morning show _El Hoy por Hoy_ with Àngels Barceló and Gisela Rodríguez in the Catalan editions attracts 271,000 listeners, making it one of the most in-demand shows in the region. The _Aquí Catalunya_ program, hosted by Marina Fernàndez and airing on SER Catalunya, achieved its best result in four years—13,000 listeners, double the 2025 figure. Additionally, 18,000 people tune in to repeats of this broadcast on weekends.
Evening and thematic programs also show stable numbers: _El Balcó_ with Anna Puigboltas maintains 55,000 listeners, _Llapis de Memòria_ with Jordi Manau counts 49,000, and the sports show _Què t’hi jugues!_ with Sique Rodríguez and Lluís Flaquer remains the leading sports broadcast with 91,000 listeners. The news program _Hora 14_ with Joan Bofill is chosen daily by 40,000 people. On weekends, _Tot és Comèdia_ with Màxim Castillo gathers 10,000 listeners on Saturdays and 28,000 on Sundays.
Music segment
In the music segment, ELS40 remains the leader in Catalonia with 324,000 listeners, ahead of Flaixbac with 289,000. Cadena Dial has increased its audience to 180,000, ELS40 Classic to 175,000, while ELS40 Urban and ELS40 Dance have 79,000 and 17,000 respectively. Even Radiolé, which does not have its own frequency in the region, attracts 17,000 listeners. Overall, Prisa Media radio stations are listened to by more than 1.16 million people daily in Catalonia, meaning that one in four radio listeners in the region tunes in to one of their stations.
At the national level, SER maintains its leadership with 4.59 million listeners across Spain. Sports programs stand out particularly, continuing to lead among similar broadcasts from other stations.
Context and trends
As El Pais notes, SER’s success in Catalonia is linked not only to a growing audience but also to changing listener preferences, with more people opting for local and themed programs. In recent years, radio stations in Spain have been actively competing for audience attention by introducing new formats and strengthening their presence on digital platforms. For example, in 2024, both Madrid and Valencia also saw a rise in interest for regional stations, leading to shifts in advertising flows and the emergence of new program blocks.
Overall, Spain’s radio broadcasting market remains dynamic, with listeners increasingly choosing stations that offer up-to-date news, local topics, and a variety of formats. This is prompting broadcasters to revise their strategies and look for new ways to retain audiences. In the coming years, further changes in the radio market structure are expected, especially in the country’s major regions.
