Survey: Radio's Reach Strong, But Perception Lags

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 12:14pm CT

DMR/Interactive

A new industry survey suggests radio's biggest challenge isn't audience size, but how effectively it communicates its value to advertisers and listeners. In advance of Sunday's New England Patriots-Seattle Seahawks game, DMR/Interactive surveyed radio industry executives with a hypothetical question: if the radio industry purchased a $10 million ad during the big game, what should it say?

The responses highlight what the survey describes as a paradox. While radio reaches more people each week than any other medium - including major digital platforms - it continues to struggle with perception in a crowded media environment.

According to Andrew Curran, President and CEO of DMR/Interactive, radio's dominance is often overlooked because of its ubiquity. He noted that radio's constant presence - free, local, and easy to access - can cause its impact to be taken for granted, even as it delivers consistent returns for advertisers.

Analysis of the responses pointed to three primary messaging strategies a national radio ad might emphasize. Thirty-eight percent of respondents focused on radio's "free and everywhere" accessibility across devices and locations. Another 32% highlighted radio's role as a source of entertainment and companionship through local personalities. The remaining 30% centered on radio's weekly reach and advertising effectiveness.

Many respondents combined multiple themes, reinforcing the view that radio's strength lies at the intersection of reach, relevance, and emotional connection.

The survey findings suggest radio's challenge is less about defending its role and more about reclaiming mindshare amid fragmented media consumption. Despite the attention given to digital platforms, radio remains a daily habit for millions, from commutes to workplaces.

One proposed message stood out as a potential anchor for a national campaign: the claim that more people will wake up and listen to radio the next day than will watch the championship game itself -- a line respondents said could prompt even skeptics to reconsider radio's reach.