More Than 239 Million Listen to Radio Every Week

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

Radio reaches more than 239 million persons ages 12 and older during a typical week, or 93.1% of listeners 12+, according to the RADAR 104 National Radio Listening Report which is due out March 22. These listeners tune to the more than 7,200 RADAR Network affiliated stations, up from 212 million listeners one year ago.

Since the December, 2007 RADAR 95 report, national radio listening estimates and network radio audience reports have been based on PPM data from within commercialized PPM markets and on diary respondents from the balance of the U.S. The combination of PPM and diary respondents have shown more listeners to radio over the course of a week versus the 2007 RADAR listening reports which were based on diary respondents alone.

As additional radio markets transition to electronic measurement, Arbitron says that total radio reach is revealed to be larger than in previous surveys. Listening to RADAR Network Affiliate stations has also risen year over year. Over the course of a typical week, more than 239 million persons age 12 and older listen to network radio, up from 216 million a year earlier.

93% of Black Non-Hispanic persons and 94% of Hispanic persons, ages 12 and older, tune into radio over the course of a week. Radio reaches about 93% of both Black Non-Hispanics and Hispanics age 18-49 over the course of a week. It also reaches more than 96% of college graduates ages 25-54.

Network affiliated stations reach 95% of college graduates aged 25-54 with a household income of $50,000 or more, while 91% of the youngest radio audience, teens aged 12-17, who are most accustomed to using new technologies and forms of media, continue to tune in each week.

RADAR, the standard currency for national network radio ratings, measures 51 individual radio networks, including those operated by American Urban Radio Networks, Citadel Media Networks, Crystal Media Networks, Dial Global Inc., Premiere Radio Networks, United Stations Radio Networks and Westwood One Radio.