GENDER DISPARITY

DATA REPORT

An analysis of the Top 20 Most Played

British Acts across British Radio Stations
in the Period of June 2019-2020 and the
Top 100 Radio Airplay chart in 2020.

Data Report prepared by

Linda Coogan Byrne
& Women in CTRL
 The Breakdown:

This report looks at the gender disparity in UK Radio for British Domestic acts over 2 sections. The
first section is an analysis of 31 individual radio stations, looking at the gender disparity present in the Top
20 most played songs by Male and Female British artists, in Britain, over the period of June 1st 2019 to June
1st 2020. In the 31 stations, we have included the Top 10 and most listened to national and regional radio
stations including the major legacy radio stations and genre-specific stations. The 2nd part of the report is
an analysis on the overall Top 100 Radio Airplay songs in 2020, from 01 Jan 2020 to 15 August 2020, in all
radio stations combined, looking at the gender disparity for Solo Female, Solo Male and Collaborations.

This Report is based on British domestic only artists, and those whose songs are registered on
Radiomonitor. Radiomonitor is the industry standard music airplay monitoring service used by Record
labels, Management companies and PR companies in the music industry to evaluate the airtime allocated
to artists/bands who have commercial releases in the British market, and whose music is issued to British
radio seeking radio airplay. All the radio data in this report is taken from Radiomonitor. 

In relation to this report, Radiomonitor will not always have 100% of what is released in the British music
scene if it is not registered by a label, company or radio station, therefore some songs could be missing if
not received by Radiomonitor. However artists like Joel Corry, Dua Lipa, Mabel or artists of a similar profile
are always registered as a rule, as it is part of music industry practice to monitor plays of artists of this
calibre.  So with that said, this report can be looked upon as a reflection of the biggest commercial artists
who are on the British Music Scene with music being released to radio and stands as a solid factual based
data report on the airtime allocation across British radio for its homegrown domestic acts and bands
across female and male acts showing the most played British artists across each station. Radiomonitor also
provide comprehensive coverage for independent artists and labels.

For the purpose of gender disparity reporting, all songs have been categorised as either Female, Male or
Collab.

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 SECTION 1

GENDER DISPARITY
ACROSS UK RADIO
STATIONS
GENDER DISPARITY ANALYSIS ACROSS 31 UK RADIO STATIONS 

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
This data study aims to examine the British radio airplay system in relation to the most played domestic
artists on heavy rotation across the stations in the report in gender terms.

Our definition of “female” includes anyone who self-identifies as a woman. However, we simultaneously
recognise that most of those surveyed will identify as either male or female, and will be perceived by
people within this binary.The research team has wished from the outset to be as inclusive as possible in
our methodology.

We are following on from  the approach to  gender  categories  adopted by the Waking  the Feminists
research team in Ireland in their Gender Counts report.

Throughout this study, our approach to identifying individual’s gender has included a mixture of use of
pronouns used on internet searches to identify gendered pronouns used, personal knowledge of music
industry figures, as well as relying on the gendered nature of first names.

This approach is trans-inclusive, in so far as we accept the gender identity ascribed to the individual by
the material.

Our efforts led us to identify one non-binary individual over the course of the research, though there
may be more who remain unidentified. We have included non-binary artists in the acts and bands within
collaborative male/female/non-binary section labelled 'Collab' in this report. While this study has done
some work towards including trans- and non- binary individuals, a more detailed study of their
participation in the sector would be appreciated.
 GENDER DISPARITY ANALYSIS ACROSS
31 UK RADIO STATIONS

This data report includes: Top 20 most played songs by British artists, in Britain, over the period
of June 1st 2019 to June 1st 2020. Data provided by Radiomonitor.

The following is an analysis of the gender disparity across 31 individual UK radio stations.
The findings on this report outline the Gender Disparity that is present in the Top 20 most played
songs by British artists across 31 individual radio stations in the UK.

Analysis across 31 UK radio stations:  This report includes the Top 10 and most listened to
National and Regional Radio stations including Legacy Radio stations and genre specific stations.

The analysis is classed by Female, Male or Collab. For the purposes of gender disparity
reporting, categories have been defined as below:
Female- Cis female and Transfemale. Songs with women collaborating with other women or same
gender groups are classified as Female.
Male- Cis Male and Transmale. Songs with men collaborating with other men.
Collab- This includes bands or groups with mixed genders, and songs where men are collaborating
with women, and gender minorities including (but not limited to) agender and non-binary.

(Across the report gender identity has been assigned by scrutinising online information, industry databases, pronoun use and online
interviews. We would be happy to correct any misidentification.)

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

OVERVIEW OF
BBC, BAUER &
GLOBAL

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

OVERVIEW OF BBC RADIO STATIONS

MALE FEMALE COLLAB

BBC
RADIO 1 85% 10% 5%

BBC
1XTRA  76.2% 14.3% 10%

BBC
RADIO 2 55% 40% 5%

BBC ASIAN
NETWORK  65% 20% 15%

BBC
6 MUSIC 60% 10% 30%

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

OVERVIEW OF BAUER RADIO STATIONS

MALE FEMALE COLLAB

KISS 75% 15% 10%

KISS
FRESH
90% 5% 5%

MAGIC 55% 30% 15%

KERRANG 100% 0% 0%

ABSOLUTE 100% 0% 0%

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

OVERVIEW OF GLOBAL RADIO STATIONS

MALE FEMALE COLLAB

CAPITAL 75% 5% 20%

CAPITAL
XTRA
90% 10% 0%

HEART 75% 25% 0%

SMOOTH  65% 20% 15%

RADIO X 100% 0% 0%

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

ANALYSIS OF 31
UK RADIO
STATIONS

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

3FM COLLAB
June 2019 - June 2020 10.5%
FEMALE
26.3%
Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on
playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Sigma & Jack Savoretti -You And me As One
2. Freya Ridings - Castles
3. Blossoms- The Keeper
4. Harry Styles- Adore You
5. Sigala feat. Ella Henderson- We Got Love

5 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Freya Ridings, Dua Lipa (x2), Jessie Ware & Emeli
Sandé.
MALE
2 collaborative releases: Jess Glyne & Jax Jones and Sigala 63.2%
feat. Ella Henderson

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

ABSOLUTE RADIO
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Sam Fender - Will We Talk?
2. Lewis Capaldi - Hold Me While You Wait
3. Blossoms - Your Girlfriend
4. Blossoms - The Keeper
5. Liam Gallagher - One Of Us

0 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: 0

MALE
100%

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB
APPLE FM 10% FEMALE
June 2019 - June 2020
20%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now
2. Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber - I Don't Care
3. Lewis Capaldi - Before You Go
4. Harry Styles - Adore You
5. Freya Ridings Castles

4 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Dua Lipa (x2) Freya Ridings and Mabel
MALE
2 collaborative bands/releases = both male and female
70%
vocalists: Sigala & Becky Hill and Jax Jones feat. Ella
Henderson

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB FEMALE
BBC RADIO 1 5% 10%
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
2. Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now
3. Joel Corry - Sorry
4. Stormzy feat. Ed Sheeran & .. - Own It
5. Sam Fender - Will We Talk?

2 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Dua Lipa and Georgia

1 collaborative bands/releases = both male and female

MALE
vocalists: Jorja Smith feat. Burna Boy 85%

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB
BBC 1XTRA FEMALE
9.5%
June 2019 - June 2020 14.3%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Stylo G - Dumpling
2. Jorja Smith feat. Burna Boy - Be Honest
3. AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
4. NSG - OT Bop
5. Stormzy - Vossi Bop

3 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Alicai Harley, Mahalia ft. Ella Mai and Shaybo

2 collaborative bands/releases = both male and female

MALE
vocalists: Mahalia ft.Burna Boy and Jorja Smith feat. Burna 76.2%
Boy Be Honest

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB
BBC RADIO 2 5%
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation: FEMALE
40%
“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:
1. Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now
2. James Blunt - The Truth
3. Sigala feat. Ella Henderson - We Got Love
4. Celeste - - Stop This Flame
5. Dua Lipa Physical MALE
55%
8 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the
Top 20: Dua Lipa (x3), Celeste, Jessie Ware, Emeli Sandé (x2),
and Mabel

1 collaborative bands/releases = both male and female

vocalists: Sigala feat. Ella Henderson

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

FEMALE
BBC RADIO 4
10%
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
2. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
3. O'Hooley & Tidow - Gentleman Jack
4. Queen - Who Wants To Live Forever
5. Waterboys,The -The Whole Of The Moon

2 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Amy Winehouse & Kate Bush
MALE
0 collaborative bands/releases = both male and female
90%
vocalists: 0

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB FEMALE
BBC RADIO 5 LIVE 5% 5%
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Paul McCartney & Wings - Live And Let Die
2. Cure, The - Friday I'm In Love
3. Deacon Blue - Dignity
4. Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger
5. Oasis - Live Forever

1 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Amanda Holden

MALE
1 collaborative bands/releases = both male and female
90%
vocalists: Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC FEMALE

June 2019 - June 2020 10%

COLLAB
Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on 30%
playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Metronomy - Salted Caramel Ice Cream
2. Warmduscher - Disco Peanuts
3. North Downs - Nightlife Blues
4. Michael Kiwanuka - You Ain't The Problem
5. Nadine Shah - Ladies For Babies

2 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Nadine Shah, Bat for Lashes
MALE
6 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and
60%
female vocalists: Sorry, All We Are, Metronomy, Sports
Team, Jon Hopkins & Kelly Lee Owens, The Orielles

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

BBC ASIAN NETWORK

COLLAB
June 2019 - June 2020 FEMALE
15%
20%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Zack Knight- Angel
2. Zack Knight & Jasmin Walia- Bom Diggy
3. Manni Sandhu, Navaan Sandhu, Bakshi Billa – Do Pal
4. Jasmin Walia – Manana
5. Jasmin Walia – Want Some

4 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Jasmin Wallia, Joy Crookes, RIKA

3 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: Zack Knight & Jasmin Wallia, Joy Crookes 65%
feat. Jafaris, Wiley, Stefflon Don & Sean Paul

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

FEMALE
CAPITAL FM 5%
COLLAB
June 2019 - June 2020
20%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Joel Corry - Sorry
2. Ed Sheeran feat. Stormzy - Take Me Back To London
3. Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now
4. Ed Sheeran feat. Khalid - Beautiful People
5. Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson - This Is Real

1 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Dua Lipa
MALE
4 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and
75%
female vocalists: Jax Jones & Bebe Rexha, Sigala feat. Ella
Henderson, Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson,Sigala & Becky Hill

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB
CAPITAL XTRA
10%
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Young T & Bugsey feat. Aitch – Strike a Pose
2. Stormzy feat. Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy – Own It
3. Mist feat. Fredo – So High
4. Krept & Konan feat. WizKid – G Love
5. Mahalia feat. Burna Boy - Simmer

0 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: 

2 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: Mahalia feat. Burna Boy, Jorja Smith feat. 90%
Burna Boy

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

CHANNEL 103 FM
COLLAB FEMALE
June 2019 - June 2020
20% 20%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now
2. Calvin Harris & Rag'N'Bone Man - Giant
3. Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved
4. Joel Corry - Sorry
5.Harry Styles - Adore You

4 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding, Mabel, Freya Ridings

4 ccollaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson,Sigala &
60%
Becky Hill, Jorja Smith feat. Burna Boy and Becky Hill feat. Shift
K3Y

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

CLASSIC FM
FEMALE
June 2019 - June 2020
20%
COLLAB
Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on 30%
playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Nicola Benedetti – Meditation From Thais
2. Royal Scottish National Orchestra -The Magnificent
Seven
3. Sheku Kannah-Mason – Von Paradis Sicilienne
4. James Vivian (conductor) – Tallis If Ye Love Me
5. Karl Jenkins - Adiemus

4 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the Top

20: Nicola Benedetti, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Rebecca Dale(x2)
MALE
6 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and 50%
female vocalists: Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Adiemus,
The Bournemouth Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

HEART FM
June 2019 - June 2020 FEMALE
25%
Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on
playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber - I Don't Care
2. Lewis Capaldi - Hold Me While You Wait
3. Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved
4. Freya Ridings - Castles
5.Ed Sheeran feat. Khalid - Beautiful People

5 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

MALE
Top 20:  Freya Ridings, Dua Lipa, Sonique, Anne-Marie and
Rita ora 75%

0 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and

female vocalists: 0

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB
HEAT FM
10%
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation: FEMALE
40%
“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:
1. Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber - I Don't Care
2. Lewis Capaldi - Hold Me While You Wait
3. Joel Corry - Sorry
4. Sam Smith- How Do You Sleep?
5.Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now
MALE
8 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the
Top 20:  Dua Lipa, Freya Ridings, Mable (x2), Little Mix,  Berri,
50%
Girls Aloud, Noisettes

2 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and

female vocalists: Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson, Sigala &
Becky Hill

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

ISLAND FM
COLLAB
June 2019 - June 2020 FEMALE
20%
25%
Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on
playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Mabel - Mad Love
2. Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now
3. Harry Styles - Adore You
4. Freya Ridings - Castles
5.Sigala & Becky Hill - Wish You Well

5 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Mable (x2), Little Mix,  Dua Lipa, Freya Ridings

4 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: Jorja Smith feat. Burna Boy, Sigala & Becky 55%
Hill, Becky Hill feat. Shift K3Y and Jess Glynne & Jax Jones

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

KERRANG!
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Sam Fender - Will We Talk?
2. Enter Shikari - Stop The Clocks
3. Darkness, The - Heart Explodes
4. YUNGBLUD feat. Dan Reynolds - Original Me
5.Ozzy Osbourne - Under The Graveyard

0 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  0

0 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: 0
100%

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB
KISS FEMALE
10%
June 2019 - June 2020 15%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Joel Corry- Sorry
2. AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
3. Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now
4. Mabel - Mad Love
5.Jax Jones & Martin Solveig - All Day And Night

3 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Dua Lipa and Mable (x2)

2 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson and Sigala & 75%
Becky Hill

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB FEMALE
KISS FRESH 5% 5%
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1. Mist feat. Fredo – So High
2. Stormzy – Vossi Bop
3. AJ Tracey – Ladbroke Grove
4. Young T & Bugsey feat. Headie One – Don’t Rush
5. Dave – Professor X

1 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Mabel

1 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: Jorja Smith feat. Burna Boy 90%

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB
LINCS FM 10%
June 2019 - June 2020 FEMALE
25%
Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on
playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Lewis Capaldi - Before You Go
2. Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now
3. Freya Ridings - Castles
4. Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson - This Is Real
5.Lewis Capaldi - Hold Me While You Wait

5 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Dua Lipa (x2), Freya Ridings, Mabel and Anne-Marie
MALE
2 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and 65%
female vocalists: Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson and Becky Hill
feat. Shift K3Y

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

MAGIC RADIO COLLAB

June 2019 - June 2020 15%
FEMALE
Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on 30%
playlists and airtime allocation:

1. Tasmin Archer – Sleeping Satellite

2. Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up
3. Wet Wet Wet – Love Is All Around
4. Spandau Ballet – True
5. Daniel Bedingfield – If You’re Not the One

6 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Tasmin Archer, Shola Ama, All Saints (x2), Ellie
Goulding, Bonnie Tyler
MALE
3 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and 55%
female vocalists: T'Pau, Texas, Yazoo

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

FEMALE
PLANET ROCK
10%
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Those Damn Crows - Be You
2. Ozzy Osbourne - Under The Graveyard
3. Darkness, The - Heart Explodes
4. Laurence Jones- I'm Waiting
5.Who, The - Break The News

2 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Joanne Shaw Taylor (x2)

0 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: 0 90%

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

NORTHSOUND 1 COLLAB
FEMALE
June 2019 - June 2020 15%
20%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber - I Don't Care
2. Lewis Capaldi - Hold Me While You Wait
3. Ed Sheeran feat. Khalid - Beautiful People
4. Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson - This Is Real
5.Freya Ridings - Castles

4 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Freya Ridings, Mabel (x2) and Dua Lipa

3 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson andBecky Hill 65%
feat. Shift K3Y and Sigala & Becky Hill

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

COLLAB
RADIO BORDERS
10.5% FEMALE
June 2019 - June 2020
21.1%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber - I Don't Care
2. Lewis Capaldi - Hold Me While You Wait
3. Ed Sheeran feat. Khalid - Beautiful People
4. Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson - This Is Real
5.Freya Ridings - Castles

4 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Freya Ridings, Mabel (x2) and Dua Lipa

2 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and

MALE
female vocalists: Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson and Becky 68.4%
Hill feat. Shift K3Y

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

RADIO X
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Sam Fender - Will We Talk?
2. Blossoms - Your Girlfriend
3. Foals - The Runner
4. Gerry Cinnamon - Canter
5.Sam Fender - Saturday

0 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  0

0 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: 0
100%

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

SMOOTH RADIO (LONDON) COLLAB

FEMALE
June 2019 - June 2020 15%
20%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.John Waite - Missing You
2. Spandau Ballet - True
3. Dusty Springfield - Son Of A Preacher Man
4. James Morrison - You Give Me Something
5.Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes - Up Where We Belong

4 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20: Dusty Springfield, Emeli Sandé, Annie Lennox, Leona
Lewis
MALE
3 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and 65%
female vocalists: Fleetwood Mac, Joe Cocker & Jennifer
Warnes and Yazoo

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

TAY FM COLLAB
FEMALE
June 2019 - June 2020 15%
20%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber - I Don't Care
2. Lewis Capaldi - Hold Me While You Wait
3. Ed Sheeran feat. Khalid - Beautiful People
4.Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson - This Is Real
5.Freya Ridings - Castles

4 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Freya Ridings, Dua Lipa, Mabel (x2)

3 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: Jax Jones ft. Ella Henderson, Sigala & Becky 65%
Hill and Becky Hill ft. Shift K3Y

#GenderDisparityRadioUK
 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

FEMALE
VIRGIN RADIO
10%
June 2019 - June 2020

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Freya Ridings - Castles
2. Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber - I Don't Care
3. Sam Fender - Will We Talk?
4.Tom Walker - Better Half Of Me
5.Lewis Capaldi - Before You Go

2 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Freya Ridings (x2)

0 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: 0 90%

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 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

WESSEX FM COLLAB
FEMALE
June 2019 - June 2020 15%
20%

Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on

playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber - I Don't Care
2. Freya Ridings - Castles
3. Lewis Capaldi - Hold Me While You Wait
4.Tom Walker - Just You And I
5.Calvin Harris & Rag'N'Bone Man - Giant

4 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Freya Ridings, Mabel, Jess Glynne (x2)

3 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: Rudimental feat. Jess Glynn, Jax Jones feat. 65%
Ella Henderson and Sigala & Becky Hill

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 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

YORKSHIRE COAST RADIO COLLAB

FEMALE
(SCARBOROUGH) 15%
20%
June 2019 - June 2020
Gender disparity on Top 20 Played Artists on
playlists and airtime allocation:

“Top 5 Songs” played on Station by the following Artists:

1.Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber - I Don't Care
2. Freya Ridings - Castles
3. Lewis Capaldi - Hold Me While You Wait
4.Tom Walker - Just You And I
5.Calvin Harris & Rag'N'Bone Man - Giant

4 releases by female acts in the most played acts in the

Top 20:  Freya Ridings, Mabel, Jess Glynne (x2)

3 collaborative bands/releases. By bands = both male and MALE

female vocalists: Rudimental feat. Jess Glynn, Jax Jones feat. 65%
Ella Henderson and Sigala & Becky Hill

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 SECTION 1

THE TOP 100

AIRPLAY CHART
2020
THE TOP 100 AIRPLAY CHART 2020 - UK DOMESTIC ARTISTS

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 THE TOP 100 AIRPLAY CHART 2020
- UK DOMESTIC ARTISTS

This data report includes: The Top 100 Airplay Chart 2020 of UK Domestic artists from 1st Jan -
15th August 2020. Data provided by Radiomonitor.

The following is an analysis of the gender splits in the Artists, Songwriters and Producers
in the Top 100 Airplay chart 2020. The findings on this report outline the Gender Disparity that is
present in the Top 100 most played songs by Male and Female British artists across all stations.

The analysis is classed by Female, Male or Collab.  For the purposes of gender disparity
reporting, categories have been defined as below.
Female- Cis female and Transfemale. Songs with women collaborating with other women or same
gender groups are classified as Female.
Male- Cis Male and Transmale. Songs with men collaborating with other men.
Collab- This includes bands or groups with mixed genders, and songs where men are collaborating
with women, and gender minorities including (but not limited to) agender and non-binary.
*In the Songwriter analysis the categories assigned are Female/ Male and Non-Binary.
(Across the report gender identify has been assigned by scrutinising online information, industry
databases, pronoun use and online interviews. We would be happy to correct any misidentification.)
British Domestic Artist- Those classified as GB acts on Radiomonitor, or identified as British in online
searches.

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 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

80% Men appear on 80% of records in

the top 100 Airplay Chart 2020

19% of Female Solo songs are present

in the top 100 Airplay Chart 2020

is the number of Female

18% songwriters credited in the top

100 Airplay Chart 2020

3%
the number of female producers
credited on the top 100 Airplay
chart.

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 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

GENDER BREAKDOWN OF ARTISTS IN

THE TOP 100 UK AIRPLAY CHART 2020

30%
30%
COLLAB
51%
MALE
Women

19%
51%

FEMALE
Men
19%

Gender disparity on ARTISTS Top 100 Airplay chart in 2020: 19% FEMALE / 51% MALE / 30% COLLAB

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 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

GENDER BREAKDOWN OF SONGWRITERS

IN THE TOP 100 UK AIRPLAY CHART 2020

Non
1%

-Bin
NON-BINARY

1%
80%

ary
ME

MALE
80%
N

19%

WO
ME
19%
FEMALE

Gender disparity on Top 100 Airplay chart in 2020: 18% FEMALE / 81% MALE

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 GENDER DISPARITY IN RADIO REPORT 2020

GENDER BREAKDOWN OF PRODUCERS IN

THE TOP 100 UK AIRPLAY CHART 2020

97% 3%
Women
97%

MALE FEMALE

Men
3%

Gender disparity in Producers in the Top 100 Airplay chart in 2020: 3% FEMALE / 97% MALE

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THIS IS THE END OF
THE REPORT BUT
THE BEGINNING OF
CHANGE.
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