Katz Radio Group

Katz Radio Group Sound Answers 113 - Radio's Reality Beats Perceptions

Written by Katz Radio Group | Jul 10, 2025 3:13:34 PM

Nielsen Data Realigns Media Effectiveness Ranker

RADIO ROI OUTPERFORMS ITS OWN PERCEPTION & OTHER MEDIA

Radio is no stranger to being undervalued, as industry research notes that advertisers continue to underestimate radio's usage. Now, global data from Nielsen sheds light on even more marketer misperceptions about radio - this time about its effectiveness, and sets the record straight with actual ROI benchmarks.

RADIO IS WRONGLY UNDERESTIMATED - AND NIELSEN CAN PROVE IT

Nielsen's Global Annual Marketing Survey asked marketers about their perceived media effectiveness. And, unfortunately (for the industry and for the surveyed marketers) radio came in last place - behind all measured traditional and digital media types. This means advertisers are likely overlooking and underinvesting in a truly impactful medium, to the potential detriment of brand health. Because, according to Nielsen's global ROI benchmarks, radio delivers the second highest return for advertisers - ahead of nearly every other measured media. With actual ROI data in place of perceptions, the effectiveness ranker gets turned on its head. 

Chart is interactive. Click gray circle to enlarge. 

 

THE NEW ROI-BASED MEDIA RANKER:

Re-sorting Nielsen's ROI benchmarks to show a new, true effectiveness ranker reveals radio's rightful place - towards the very top. Second only to social media, radio delivers higher returns for advertisers than all other other traditional media. While radio is perceived to be less effective than digital media, it delivers an ROI +30% higher than video and display, and +70% higher than search and CTV. 

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If marketers need further data-driven proof of radio's effectiveness, Katz's published Case Study Library is a testament to the fact that radio performance is indeed measurable - and it works. Nielsen's global data reenforces that radio drives returns and stacks up well against other media. Empowered by data, marketers can overcome preconceived biases about media and make informed investments in the most effective channels - including radio. 

For more information from Nielsen.