New figures released by Radio 1 have shown the phenomenal online response made to news that John Peel had died. The John Peel tribute shows broadcast by the station proved to be some of the BBC's most listened to radio shows online. Radio 1 specialist programmes The Essential Selection, Dance Anthems and Judge Jules also regularly attract online audiences in between 120,000 and 200,000.
Controller of BBC Radio and Music Interactive, Simon Nelson told reporters: "These are the first set of monthly statistics we have published and they show record numbers for both online listening and web traffic. Their publication underlines our commitment to digital radio and highlights our extra responsibility to invest in moving radio and its listeners forward, using and consuming new technology."