A new study just dropped…
Radio now reaches a WHOPPING 87% of Americans each week. Even more unexpected, it’s reaching a demographic of young listeners aged 18 to 34. The hyper-local platform is becoming a primary source for local news as well. You can read the details below.
Radio Reaches 87% Of Americans Each Week
Despite being America’s number one mass reach medium, radio still faces major misconceptions among advertisers and media planners. A new August 2025 study from Advertiser Perceptions, backed by Nielsen, Edison Research, and LeadsRx, reveals just how far off industry perceptions remain.
When agencies were asked how many Americans AM/FM Radio reaches in a typical week, the average guess was only 40%. The truth? Nielsen data shows AM/FM Radio actually reaches 87% of Americans every single week. Broadcasters at ArkansasRadio.com — with more than 40 years in the industry each — say they’ve never seen results this strong, from on location remote broadcasts to on air promotions.
Radio Listeners Are Getting Younger
The gap is even wider with younger listeners. Many assume Gen Z and Millennials have moved on from radio, yet Nielsen finds the 18–34 age group is radio’s largest audience segment.
At the same time, agencies drastically overestimate streaming platforms, assuming Pandora and Spotify dominate with 41% share.
Edison’s Share of Ear study sets the record straight: AM/FM radio ad-supported share is 14 times larger than Spotify and Pandora combined.
Radio’s Local News Coverage Is Now More Trusted
Unlike social media — where up to 60% of content can be misinformation, complaints are met with AI responses, and there are no phone numbers listed, no local offices or real accountability.
Radio also offers something digital cannot: focus and trust. Social media is fragmented into millions of channels, plagued by misinformation, and often unreachable for customer support.
By contrast, commercial radio stations are rooted in the communities they serve — with local studios, transmitters, and staff who answer the phone, pay local taxes, and deliver real news from real people.
For advertisers and media planners, the message is undeniable: no other medium delivers the reach, trust, and effectiveness of AM/FM radio.
More details on the Advertiser Perceptions study are available through the Audio Active Group.
