Nielsen: Radio Reaches Most Daily Ad-Supported Audio Listeners

Radio and podcasts accounted for 83% of daily ad-supported audio listening in the third quarter of 2026, according to Nielsen’s latest “The Record,” which draws on data from Nielsen and Edison Research.

U.S. consumers spent an average of 3 hours and 55 minutes a day listening to audio, the report said. Streaming music services made up 15% of ad-supported listening time. The analysis excludes music and music videos watched on YouTube.

Radio reached more than 242 million U.S. adults monthly, or 92%, ahead of TV-connected devices at 90%, smartphones at 87% and live and time-shifted television at 85%, according to the report. Radio reached 92% of Black adults, 93% of Hispanic adults and 87% of adults ages 18 to 34.

About 65% of adult radio listening took place away from home, primarily in vehicles. That share rose to 73% during weekday drive times. AM/FM radio accounted for more than 80% of ad-supported audio listening in cars.

➤Share of daily time spent with ad supported audio among U.S. audiences

Listeners 18+

Listeners 35+

➤Radio Listening By Format:

Across the top 15 largest-reaching AM/FM radio formats, Q3 brought steady music listening, a strong sports season and continued strength for news. Share of all radio listening below includes both over-the-air listening and AM/FM station streams.

1. News and sports anchor the spoken-word dial

• News/Talk remains the No. 1 format, with a 10.2% share of total radio listening among P18+. It is even stronger with older listeners, at 11.5% among P35+.
• All Sports captured 4.5% of total radio listening among P18+ and 4.6% among P25-54, as football season kicked off and baseball headed into its pennant races.
• All News held a 2.7% share among P18+ and 3.0% among P35+.

2. Adult Contemporary holds the top music spot

• Adult Contemporary (AC) is again the leading music format at 7.1% among P18+, matching its Q1 2026 share. It reaches its highest share with younger listeners, at 7.9% among P18-34.

3. Country, Pop and Rock connect with younger listeners

• Country held steady at a 5.8% share among P18+ and rose to 6.4% among P18-34.
• Classic Hits also posted 5.8% among P18+, and grew its P18-34 share to 5.5% (from 5.4% in Q1).
• Pop Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) drew 4.1% among P18+ and 6.4% among P18-34.
• Hot Adult Contemporary (Hot AC) reached 5.9% among P25-54 and 5.5% among P18-34.
• Alternative grew its P18-34 share to 4.4% (from 4.2% in Q1) and reached 4.7% among P25-54.
• Classic Rock delivered a 5.2% share among P18+.

4. Black and Hispanic focused formats

• Urban Adult Contemporary, R&B posted a 5.0% share among P18+, while Urban Contemporary |Hip-Hop/R&B held steady at 2.8% among P18+ and reached 4.5% among P18-34.