When Audio Meets the Scroll
4 min read
In 2025, the way Britons engage with digital entertainment is less about choosing between audio or video—and more about using both at once. Sound has slipped into a more subtle role, not as the main act, but as a versatile sidekick to screens, apps, and all kinds of casual scrolling.
From lo-fi beats playing quietly during remote work to ambient nature sounds softening the edge of a YouTube rabbit hole, sound is everywhere—and it’s working behind the scenes. According to Ofcom’s latest insights into the UK’s media habits, 93% listen to some form of audio each week, with younger adults the most likely to stream playlists, podcasts, or radio while multitasking on other screens.
What used to be dismissed as background noise has become purposeful, even essential—helping people focus, unwind, or simply stay grounded while they scroll, stream, or swipe.
From Playlists to Platforms
One of the more interesting shifts is how sound is now part of interactive platforms—especially ones designed for light engagement and easy repetition. Whether it’s instrumental playlists during online gaming, background music woven into fitness and meditation apps, or sound effects in casual betting platforms, audio is becoming a seamless part of the user experience.
Take flexible entertainment platforms such as non GamStop casino sites UK players can gamble at. Known for their fast payouts, large game libraries, and mobile-first design, these platforms are built for multitasking. Players might run a chillhop playlist alongside live dealer tables, or let subtle in-game sound effects add texture while spinning through thousands of slot titles. By blending gameplay with layered audio, they mirror how Britons are shaping entertainment today: sound isn’t stealing focus, but enriching the rhythm of screen time, making digital routines feel more immersive without overwhelming attention.
Why Britons Add Sound to Screens
So, why this love for background audio? Current research shows it’s less about chasing entertainment and more about creating mood and focus. The latest RAJAR MIDAS survey highlights that UK adults now average 28.7 hours of audio each week, much of it threaded into other activities rather than consumed in isolation. From streaming playlists to podcasts and radio, audio is increasingly used as a companion layer rather than the main event.
In these hybrid moments, sound serves as an atmosphere-setter. Genres like lo-fi hip-hop, ambient electronica, or nature soundscapes are popular precisely because they blend into the background. They make routine digital activities—whether light gaming, online browsing, or scrolling through feeds—feel calmer and more engaging. Rather than demanding attention, audio works like a kind of emotional wallpaper: subtle, supportive, and always present enough to shape the digital mood.
Curated Soundscapes for Every Mood and Medium
Major UK audio platforms have caught on. BBC Sounds, Spotify UK, and Mixcloud now offer playlists made to pair with other activities—like Workday Lounge, Gaming Focus, or Chill + Bet. These aren’t just background playlists—they’re intentional soundtracks built to complement how people actually use their screens.
And this trend goes beyond just music fans. Casual gamers, hybrid bettors, and digital loungers are all turning to sound to shape the moment. Some platforms even build reactive audio into their design—where the music or effects shift subtly based on how you interact. It’s not just noise, it’s part of the flow.
Sound as a Companion, Not a Centrepiece
As more Brits multitask their way through entertainment, sound has taken on a new role: not as the main event, but as a quiet co-pilot. It keeps things feeling smooth, adds emotional tone, and makes digital time feel a bit more human.
Often, the best sound design is the kind you barely notice, a playlist that holds your focus, keeps your mood steady, or simply makes endless scrolling feel less hollow. Sound has shifted from performer to partner, and platforms that understand this are leading the way in creating seamless, feel-good experiences.
Listening in the Background Era
British media habits are evolving, and so is the role of audio. In this era of multitasking, quick glances, and background browsing, sound isn’t fading away. It’s just adapting. Whether you’re placing a bet, streaming a series, or knocking out emails, chances are there’s a playlist helping you through it.
The future of entertainment isn’t either/or. It’s layered. It’s custom. And it’s shaped by how we blend what we see with what we hear.
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
