What We're Listening To On Mobile Devices

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Edison's "Share of Ear (SM)" study includes a graph showing what platform of audio is being consumed on mobile devices (which would also include tablets or iPods/MP3 players).

According to Larry Rosin at Edison Research it's important to note that this is the platform of audio -- listening to AM/FM means listening to AM/FM content via streams or 'over-the-air'.  It makes a certain amount of sense that 'owned music' would be the biggest portion of audio consumption on mobile devices.  Streaming pure-plays like Pandora and Spotify, which are in so many ways 'built' for mobile, account for over one-third of all audio consumption on mobile.

Larry Rosin

Edison Research has also announced it will expand its "Share of Ear" study from twice-annually to quarterly measurement, based on demand from throughout the audio industry.

Introduced last May, the "Share of Ear" report measures Americans' share of time spent listening to all audio sources. It is the only single-source measurement that puts broadcast radio, Internet-only streaming audio, podcasting, satellite radio, TV music channels, and listeners' own music collections together.

"We are extremely gratified, to say the least, by the industry response to the 'Share of Ear,' study, not just from the streaming audio industry but from the advertising, financial and academic communities," said Edison Research President Larry Rosin. "It is clear from the response how many people have an interest in an accurate, comprehensive look at the audio landscape."

Edison has been releasing early findings from the Fall 2014 study, but full "Share of Ear" survey findings are available by subscription only to Edison Research clients. Those interested in subscribing can contact Rosin at lrosin@edisonresearch.com.