Podcasts Overtake AM/FM in Spoken-Word Audio

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 2:20pm CT

Edison Research

Spoken-word audio platforms now account for a quarter of all daily audio listening among Americans 13 and over, according to new data from Edison Research's Share of Ear study, marking a significant shift in how consumers engage with spoken-word content.

The research shows that in 2015, AM/FM radio dominated spoken-word listening, capturing 75% of total time spent with the format. At the time, podcasts accounted for just 10% of spoken-word listening, trailing radio by 65 percentage points.

Over the past decade, however, that gap has steadily narrowed. Quarter by quarter and year over year, time spent listening to spoken-word programming on AM/FM radio has declined, while podcast consumption has grown.

As of the fourth quarter of 2025, podcasts now command 40% of all spoken-word listening time among Americans 13+, edging out AM/FM radio, which holds a 39% share. The data marks the first time podcasts have surpassed traditional radio in total share of spoken-word audio listening.

Spoken-word audio overall represents 25% of all daily audio consumption for Americans 13+, underscoring its continued importance in the broader audio landscape.

Edison Research says Share of Ear remains the only audio measurement source that captures both the amount of time Americans spend with spoken-word audio and the specific platforms used. The findings highlight what the firm describes as a "seismic" transformation in how consumers access and engage with spoken-word programming, as audiences increasingly turn to a mix of platforms, devices and on-demand services.