Audio has long been a constant companion for consumers, but today, it’s more expansive, accessible, and embedded in daily life than ever before.
The latest findings from Edison Research and Nielsen reinforce what marketers already know: audio isn’t just surviving in a fragmented media landscape, it’s thriving across platforms, environments, and generations.
AUDIO’S REACH CONTINUES TO EXPAND
Edison’s Infinite Dial 2026 showed that audio consumption continues to grow, fueled by increased access across devices and platforms, but its strength isn’t just in availability. It’s in scale. Today, 76% of Americans listen to online audio monthly, representing an estimated 233 million people. Weekly listening has climbed to 70%, reinforcing how habitual audio has become in consumers’ daily lives.
Importantly, this growth spans generations. Among adults 55+, monthly online audio listening has surged from 52% to 70% in just two years. This is a clear signal that audio is not just growing but broadening its reach across all key demographics.
At the same time, radio continues to deliver unmatched scale within this expanding landscape. According to Nielsen, radio reaches 93% of U.S. adults each month (Nielsen Audio Today 2026), making it one of the most pervasive media channels available to advertisers. And that reach translates into listening behavior.
In Q4 2025, 61% of all ad-supported audio time was spent with AM/FM radio, compared to 21% for podcasts and 15% for streaming audio. This pattern holds consistently across demographics, as the share of daily time spent with ad-supported audio remains remarkably stable among U.S. audiences. Altogether, radio and podcasts account for 82% of ad-supported listening, reinforcing the continued dominance of professionally produced, ad-supported audio environments.
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IN-CAR: RADIO REMAINS THE ANCHOR
Despite other options, the car remains one of the most important audio environments, and AM/FM radio continues to dominate. 73% of Americans use AM/FM radio in the car, making it the #1 audio source. Radio remains the primary touchpoint.
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AT HOME: RADIO EXTENDS ITS REACH ACROSS A MULTI-PLATFORM AUDIO ECOSYSTEM
While audio consumption at home continues to expand across devices and platforms, radio remains a foundational part of that experience, now amplified by digital access.
With 91% of Americans owning a smartphone and smart speaker ownership reaching 39%, consumers can access AM/FM radio content more easily than ever before, whether through apps, connected devices, or voice-enabled technology. This accessibility allows radio to move seamlessly beyond the car and into the home, maintaining its presence throughout the day.
RADIO ANCHORS THE AUDIO EXPEREINCE - WHEREVER CONSUMERS ARE
As audio consumption continues to expand across platforms and devices, one thing remains constant: radio’s role as the foundation of the audio landscape.
Whether in the car, at home, or on the go, radio delivers a unique combination of scale, simplicity, and trust that few other media can match. It reaches consumers across moments that matter, without requiring subscriptions, algorithms, or active searching. In a world where listening is increasingly fragmented, radio provides consistency. It offers:
Reliable reach at scale
A trusted voice that connects locally and authentically
And now, with seamless access across smartphones, smart speakers, and connected devices, radio’s presence is no longer limited to a single environment, it’s truly everywhere.