po polsku
illustration: Bing AIThe commercial stations continue to dominate the Polish radio market. RMF FM, enjoying consistently high popularity, recorded a daily reach of 17.6%, meaning over 5.6 million Poles tune in daily. Radio ZET ranked second with a reach of 10.6% (3.4 million listeners), followed by Eska at 5.5% (1.75 million listeners).
Interestingly, RMF FM maintains its lead across all age groups, establishing itself as the absolute market leader. Among younger audiences (15–29 years), Eska holds a strong position, thanks to its music format appealing to youth.
Listenership Figures:
- RMF FM – 17.6%, 5,609,817 listeners
- Radio ZET – 10.6%, 3,397,017 listeners
- Eska – 5.5%, 1,751,895 listeners
- Jedynka Polskiego Radia – 2.1%, 670,000 listeners
- Radio Maryja – 1.3%, 415,000 listeners
Listener Demographics: Who Tunes In?
The study shows radio listenership varies by age, gender, and location. Men prefer RMF FM (19.8%) more often than women (15.5%), likely due to its informational and musical programming. Eska attracts younger listeners, with 10.6% of 15–29-year-olds regularly tuning in.
Among listeners aged 65+, Jedynka Polskiego Radia (8.6%) and Radio Maryja (4.5%) enjoy the most interest. Older audiences appreciate these stations` traditional approach and focus on educational and religious content.
Daily Reach of Stations by Age Group:
| Radio Station | 15–29 years | 30–49 years | 65+ years |
|---|---|---|---|
| RMF FM | 15.4% | 20.5% | 11.4% |
| Radio ZET | 7.2% | 11.7% | 8.7% |
| Eska | 10.6% | 7.2% | 1.1% |
| Jedynka PR | 0.8% | 1.9% | 8.6% |
| Radio Maryja | 0.0% | 1.2% | 4.5% |
| TOK FM | 2.4% | 4.7% | 1.8% |
| Radio WAWA | 4.1% | 2.6% | 0.5% |
| Chillizet | 3.8% | 2.1% | 0.3% |
| Polskie Radio 24 | 1.2% | 1.6% | 3.2% |
Average Listening Time
Radio remains a key companion medium, with an average listening time of 120–150 minutes daily. RMF FM also leads here, with 145 minutes per day. Older audiences stay loyal to Radio Maryja, which achieves an impressive 146 minutes. Eska has seen a drop to 112 minutes, likely reflecting changing habits among youth, who increasingly opt for music streaming services.
Listening Time Data:
- RMF FM – 145 minutes
- Radio Maryja – 146 minutes
- Radio ZET – 138 minutes
- Eska – 112 minutes
Digitization and Emerging Trends
The evolving landscape of Polish radio media reflects the rising popularity of digital platforms. Music streaming, podcasts, and radio apps attract more users, particularly younger audiences. 67% of respondents aged 15–29 use mobile apps to listen to radio, marking a 12-percentage point increase from 2023.
A digital success story is TOK FM, which has expanded its podcast offerings, achieving a 15% growth in subscription revenues within a year. By contrast, Polskie Radio struggles with technological limitations, hindering its digital transformation potential.
| Medium | Growth in 2024 | Popularity among 15–29 years |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Apps | +12 p.p. | 67% |
| Podcasts | +15% | 54% |
| Radio Streaming | +8% | 48% |
Rising competition from streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube pushes radio stations to explore new formats and engagement strategies. RMF FM invests in live interactive broadcasts, enabling listeners to participate via mobile apps. Eska experiments with hybrid formats combining radio and social media, aiming to attract younger audiences.
Smaller stations like Radio Maryja focus on maintaining loyal listeners by targeting niche content. However, a lack of technological investment may limit their ability to compete in the long term.
The "Audio Track" report from the National Media Institute, January–October 2024 is available for download here:
https://kim.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024_11_15_Wyniki-KIM_Audio-Track_rynek-ogolnopolski.pdf
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
Why do we believe fakes? Science reveals the psychology of virals
KFi
Why do emotions grab more attention than evidence, and why can a fake authority overshadow scientific data? Researchers from Warsaw University of Technology, Jagiellonian University, and SWPS University in Poland sought the answers. Here are their findings.
Investigative journalism in Europe. Newsrooms face pressure
KFi, Newseria
Media and political representatives point to the difficult situation of investigative journalism in Europe. Newsrooms are reluctant to invest in this segment due to high costs and the large amount of time and effort required. Most of all, however, they fear legal proceedings.
Energy under attack. Disinformation threatens Poland’s power transition
KFi
One in five online messages about energy may be fake. Between 2022 and 2025 nearly 70,000 publications warning and condemning disinformation in this strategic sector were recorded in Polish media. They generated a reach of 1.19 billion impressions.
See articles on a similar topic:
How do we assess news credibility? Data analysis from 40 countries
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Are people defenseless against false information? Do they really fall for clickbait and fake news? A meta-analysis of 67 studies involving 200,000 people shows the problem is different than we thought. Instead of excessive gullibility, we are dealing with the opposite.
Television 2025. Report by the European Broadcasting Union
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Europeans are watching less and less television. In 2024, the average viewing time was 3 hours and 13 minutes per day. Only 54% of young people had any contact with TV, and public broadcasters held a 23% share. Television is losing relevance, especially among the youngest viewers.
Who Reads the Press? Studies on Credibility, Reach, and Effectiveness
Sylwia Markowska
Press for advertising clients is an effective medium for building brand trust, fame, and popularity. According to global studies, it is one of the media with the highest return on advertising. Data collected by Polskie Badania Czytelnictwa (Polish Readership Research) indicates that the press also has exceptionally high ad visibility rates, as reading requires full concentration on content.
Music for Overstimulated Children: Research from Polish Kindergartens
OOO
Hyperactivity, impatience, and difficulties with concentration are increasingly common challenges faced by preschool and school-aged children. An excess of stimuli, including digital ones, makes it hard for children to focus on a single task. Is there anything that can be done about it?
