• by Masha Geller , July 31, 2002

According to MeasureCast, JazzFM has finally reached the top of the streaming radio station rankings.

During the week of July 15, the London-based station edged out long-time MeasureCast Top 25 chart topper Virgin Radio, which has enjoyed the number one position much of this year. JazzFM streamed 1,724 more hours of music than Virgin radio, and attracted 2,974 more listeners during the week.

Over all, streaming radio continues to grow. The MeasureCast Internet Radio Listening Index for the week of July 15-21 rose 2% to a second all-time high in as many weeks. Since January 6 of this year, the total time spent listening to Web radio stations measured by MeasureCast is up 145%. The index is a representation of the trend in the total time spent listening (TTSL) to a spectrum of on-line radio stations monitored by MeasureCast.

In addition, 14 of the MeasureCast Top 25 stations experienced increases in the total number of hours streamed over the Internet. Sixteen of those stations saw an increase in audience size, or "Cume".

Some other interesting facts:

The peak listening day was Tuesday, July 16, with 19% of all listening occurring on this day.

Internet radio listening is primarily a work-hour phenomenon, with 80% of all on-line listening occurring between 5 a.m. Pacific and 5 p.m. Pacific.

0% of the week's listening took place over the weekend.

28% of Internet radio listeners were between the ages of 25 and 34. 58% were younger than 35, 30% were younger than 25, and 6% were older than 55.

70% of listeners were men; 30% were women.

In the U.S., 32% of listeners resided in the South; 29% in the West, 21% in the Northeast, and 18% in the Midwest.

Top streaming nations include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Mexico.