New Q1 2026 Share of Ear data confirm that AM/FM radio remains the dominant in‑car audio platform for Americans, even as in‑car audio options multiply. Overall, AM/FM, including both over‑the‑air broadcasts and streamed station feeds, captures 55% of time spent listening to audio in vehicles among Americans aged 13 and older. Streaming audio is the second‑largest category at 16%, reflecting steady growth over the 12‑year Share of Ear series but still far behind radio for the total 13+ audience.
The broad lead for AM/FM reflects both habit and unique in‑car advantages. Radio provides free, locally relevant news, traffic and emergency updates, live sports and hosts that many drivers tune to daily. Its ubiquity in factory dashboards and simple, low‑friction access help maintain usage even as connected infotainment systems and smartphone integration expand.
Demographic splits show streaming is making inroads with younger drivers but has not overtaken radio. Among Americans 13–34, AM/FM still accounts for the largest share of in‑car listening at 46%, while streaming platforms claim 30% of in‑car audio time for that cohort. That gap highlights radio’s cross-generational resilience: younger listeners increasingly use streaming for music and podcasts, but many still default to radio during commutes and local drives.
The persistence of AM/FM in the car has implications across the media and automotive ecosystems. For advertisers, radio’s majority share and high reach in vehicles make it a key channel for reaching broad and local audiences during peak drive times; the format’s low ad avoidance and contextual targeting around local interests can deliver efficient reach and response. For broadcasters, continued dashboard presence and investment in streaming feeds and hybrid broadcast-digital experiences help protect audience share. For automakers and platform providers, ensuring seamless radio integration alongside streaming services remains important to meet consumer expectations and preserve user satisfaction.
At the same time, the steady growth of streaming, particularly for younger listeners, signals an ongoing shift that stakeholders must monitor. Innovations in connected car platforms, bundled streaming subscriptions, better voice controls, and exclusive audio content could accelerate streaming’s share in vehicles over time. But for now, the Edison's Q1 2026 Share of Ear snapshot shows that despite a more crowded audio landscape, AM/FM radio remains the single largest in‑car audio destination across the U.S. population.