Radio's “Share of Ear” Measures At 52 Percent

Despite a constantly changing audio landscape, broadcast radio controls more than half of the more than four hours a day that Americans spend with all sources of audio. But the audio space is vibrant and changing – and newer sources of audio, from Internet-only services like Pandora and Spotify, to Satellite Radio, and even TV music channels like Music Choice now account for nearly a quarter of all listening.

Those are just a few of the findings from Share of Ear, the groundbreaking new syndicated study from Edison Research that provides the first consistent measurement of all audio consumption, including AM/FM radio stations, online radio stations, podcasts and even listeners’ own music collections.

Edison’s Share of Ear results are from a nationally representative sample of 2,096 Americans ages 13+ who completed a 24-hour audio listening diary during May 2014.

The study reveals that Americans spend an average of 4 hours and 5 minutes each day consuming audio, and more than 52% of that time goes to broadcast radio on all its various platforms. But other sources of pre-programmed audio now control 26% of listening time, while listening to one’s own music collection receives more than 20% “share of ear.”

The Edison Research Share of Ear study allows users to look at audio usage across many parameters, such as location of listening, the devices on which audio is consumed, listening by time of day, the type of audio content (music, news, sports, or talk/personalities), and even across individual brands within the Online Radio space.

Share of Ear is being made available on a subscription basis to all interested parties, including broadcasters, audio suppliers, agencies and advertisers, the investment community, academicians, and the music business.

For further information, interested parties can call Edison at 908-707-4707.