Another flagship Edison Media study, The Infinite Dial, provides valuable complementary insights into the evolution of AM/FM radio streaming.
While Edison’s other research efforts focus on specific platforms or behaviors, The Infinite Dial has taken a unique, long-term approach. For the past three years, the study has consistently asked Americans about their weekly radio listening habits, distinguishing between traditional over-the-air reception on a physical radio receiver and digital streaming of the same AM/FM stations via smartphones, smart speakers, connected cars, tablets, or other internet-connected devices.
As of the 2026 edition of The Infinite Dial, 30% of all weekly radio listeners report using a digital stream for at least part of their radio consumption. This means nearly one-third of the radio audience is now hybrid in its listening behavior—tuning in to the same stations through both legacy broadcast signals and modern digital channels. Conversely, 70% continue to listen exclusively via traditional AM/FM receivers.
This 30% streaming penetration represents a notable acceleration in consumer adoption. Just two years ago (2024), the comparable figure stood at only 19%. The 11-percentage-point increase over a relatively short period underscores the steady migration of traditional radio audiences toward digital delivery methods, even as they remain loyal to the same familiar stations and content.
The trend captured by The Infinite Dial highlights an important shift: radio is not being replaced by streaming, but rather supplemented and extended by it. A growing share of listeners now fluidly move between broadcast signals and digital streams depending on location, device availability, and convenience—signaling a hybrid future for the medium.