JAX Reference Desk
U.S. Radio Listening Statistics: 2026 Audio Data
A working reference for writers, radio fans, and anyone following where American listeners spend their audio time. Every figure below links to its original source.
Last updated September 21, 2026
The short version
Radio is still part of the everyday soundtrack.
Audio habits keep widening, especially in the car. Broadcast radio, streaming, and podcasts now live side by side, but the latest national data still shows an audience that makes time for radio and music-led listening.
These are national measurements, not JAX audience figures. They are here to make the broader radio conversation easier to quote, check, and share.
The numbers
Eight facts worth keeping close.
90%
listen to online audio each month
Edison Research estimates that 233 million Americans age 12 and older listened to online audio in the last month.
Source: Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2026, monthly online audio listening87%
listen to online audio each week
That is an estimated 219 million Americans age 12 and older who listened during the previous week.
Source: Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2026, weekly online audio listening73%
currently use AM/FM in the car
AM/FM remains a regular in-car audio source for Americans age 18 and older, even as more choices move onto the dashboard.
Source: Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2026, audio sources currently used in car48%
currently use online audio in the car
Online audio has become a real part of the in-car mix, rather than something listeners reserve for the desk or the house.
Source: Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2026, audio sources currently used in car37%
currently use podcasts in the car
Podcast listening is now part of the same in-car audio choice set as radio, music services, and owned media.
Source: Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2026, audio sources currently used in carNearly 4 hours
of audio time each day
Nielsen reports that U.S. consumers spend nearly four hours a day with audio, showing the medium still earns a meaningful place in everyday routines.
Source: Nielsen, The Record: Q1 2026 U.S. audio listening trends82%
of ad-supported audio time goes to radio and podcasts
Nielsen places streaming music services at 16% of daily ad-supported audio time in the same Q1 2026 view.
Source: Nielsen, The Record: Q1 2026 U.S. audio listening trends5.8%
of total radio listening went to Country
Nielsen reported that Country held steady at this share of radio listening among U.S. adults 18 and older in Q1 2026.
Source: Nielsen, The Record: Q1 2026 U.S. audio listening trendsReading the numbers
A few important notes.
Edison Research measures several listening habits among Americans age 12 and older. Its in-car figures use adults age 18 and older. Nielsen's Q1 2026 radio format shares refer to adults age 18 and older.
The measures are useful together, but they do not all describe the same audience or time frame. Each stat keeps its original source attached so readers can use the right number for the question at hand.
Listen to JAX Southern Rock RadioSources and methodology
Where these figures come from.
This page uses the latest available public U.S. audio data from Edison Research and Nielsen as of September 21, 2026. It will be refreshed when a key source publishes a newer national update.
- Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2026Released 2026. Used for online-audio and in-car listening figures.
- Nielsen, The Record: Q1 2026 U.S. audio listening trendsPublished 2026. Used for daily audio time, ad-supported audio share, and Country radio share.
Cite this page
JAX Southern Rock Radio. “U.S. Radio Listening Statistics: 2026 Audio Data.” Updated September 21, 2026. https://jaxsouthernrockradio.com/radio-listening-statistics