Our love for live radio outshines Spotify playlists

Zoë Ball and Chris Evans are rivals in the breakfast radio slot
Zoë Ball and Chris Evans are rivals in the breakfast radio slot
SARAH JEYNES/BBC/PA

It may be enough to put a cheery song in the hearts of Chris Evans, Zoë Ball and, perhaps, John Humphrys.

Spotify will not kill the radio star any time soon, according to research that highlights the enduring appeal of DJs over “cold and sterile” playlists.

Global revenues from traditional radio will rise to £31.6 billion in 2019, despite competition from streaming services and podcasts, analysts predict. About 90 per cent of British adults listen to live radio at least once a week.

A big reason for the medium’s resilience is that it makes people feel happy, according to Paul Lee, global head of technology, media and telecommunications research at the consultants Deloitte, who wrote the report.

“The blend of music, banter, competitions, call-ins .