LBC draws level with 5 Live as BBC loses ground to commercial rivals

Increased investment in talent and marketing at commercial radio stations has seen presenters such as Andrew Marr defect from the BBC to independent outlets. Photograph: Jeff Moore/Global/PA

LBC has drawn level with 5 Live in the battle for radio audiences, as commercial stations continue to challenge their BBC equivalents.

Just a decade ago LBC was a London-only talk radio outlet known for its bellicose phone-ins. But enormous investment in presenters and marketing has helped transform the outlet into a high-profile national station known for opinionated hosts such as Nick Ferrari and James O’Brien.