Nielsen: 2017's Top Radio Formats

Nielsen: Top Radio Formats 6+

Nearly 90% of all radio listening involves consumers’ three favorite stations. So while the importance of just a few outlets in a listener’s daily life remains unchanged, which radio format you prefer depends on a lot of factors, including your age.

Nielsen’s portable people meter (PPM) market data show some distinct differences when assessing the top 10 radio formats of the year, particularly when we look at preferences across different generations.

Overall in 2017, News/Talk improved on its success from last year, as did Adult Contemporary (AC) and Country.

Nielsen: Top Radio Formats 18-34

Pop Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) had a down year compared with 2016, but it remained the top-ranked format in terms of audience share among kids 6-11, teens 12-17, Millennials aged 18-34 and persons 25-to-54.

Nielsen: Top Radio Formats 25-54

And listening to Urban Contemporary stations (also known as hip-hop) was much more prevalent among younger audiences, whereas News/Talk radio (the No. 1 overall format each year in PPM markets) rises dramatically as listeners age.