Nielsen: Radio Nets Reach 68M

Nielsen Monday reported in its March 2014 RADAR Radio Network Ratings that more than 181 million Americans age 12 or older, or approximately 68 percent of the national population, heard a network radio commercial during an average week.

Nielsen RADAR reports estimated audiences to network commercials broadcast by affiliates of the subscribing networks. RADAR audience estimates do not account for listening to all network radio programming.

The RADAR March 2014 survey period demonstrates network radio’s power in reaching a mass audience across all ages. Commercials aired on the 46 measured radio networks reached:

• 68.2 percent of persons aged 12+ (181.7 million listeners)
• 71.2 percent of persons aged 18-49 (95.8 million listeners)
• 71.9 percent of persons aged 25-54 (90.0 million listeners)

The RADAR March 2014 survey period also demonstrates network radio’s extensive reach in the Top 25 DMAs® – Designated Market Areas:

• 70.7 percent of persons aged 12+ (95.1 million listeners)
• 74.0 percent of persons aged 18-49 (51.1 million listeners)
• 74.6 percent of persons aged 25-54 (48.6 million listeners)

Note: The number of networks and their affiliates vary over time as the networks adjust to meet marketplace needs. These fluctuations affect the audience estimates for a particular RADAR report but are not indicative of a change in network radio as a whole because not all network radio is reported in RADAR.