The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has released a new economic study highlighting the substantial role of local radio and television broadcasting in driving the U.S. economy.
Conducted by Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., with support from BIA Advisory Services, the report—"Local TV and Radio: Helping Drive the United States Economy"—estimates that local commercial broadcast stations generated $1.19 trillion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supported 2.46 million jobs nationwide in 2024 (with figures reflecting the latest available analysis for the 2025 publication).
The bulk of this impact stems from the stimulative effects of local broadcasting, particularly through advertising that provides free information on products, prices, and services to consumers—boosting business efficiency, competition, and overall economic activity. Direct contributions from station operations, programming, and related jobs are more modest (around $53-55 billion in GDP and hundreds of thousands of direct jobs), but the ripple effects amplify the total significantly.Breaking it down by sector:
- Local television accounted for approximately $748 billion in GDP and over 1.5 million jobs.
- Local radio contributed about $437 billion in GDP and supported more than 909,000 jobs.
The study analyzed 1,240 commercial television stations and 10,607 commercial radio stations across the U.S., excluding noncommercial outlets, cable, satellite, and national network operations (except local owned-and-operated stations). Projections indicate stable revenues and continued economic contributions through at least 2028, tied to broader U.S. growth.
NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt emphasized the free, over-the-air service provided by broadcasters: “No other industry gives more to Americans for free,” underscoring local stations' essential role in communities, emergency information, and economic connectivity.
The full report is available on the NAB's We Are Broadcasters website.