Blog: AM/FM Radio Dominates In-Car Listening

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, March 9, 2026 | 4:57pm CT

Cumulus Media and Westwood One

AM/FM radio continues to dominate in-car audio listening, according to new findings from Edison Research's latest "Share of Ear" study highlighted in a new blog post from Cumulus Media and Westwood One's Audio Active Group.

The quarterly Share of Ear study surveys roughly 4,000 Americans each year to measure daily reach and time spent across all forms of audio. The Q4 2025 report focuses on listening behavior in vehicles and shows that the car remains a critical environment for radio consumption.

Over the past decade, the share of over-the-air AM/FM radio listening occurring in vehicles has increased significantly. In-car listening has grown from 42% of all tuning in 2015 to 53% in 2025, representing a 25% increase. While the pandemic temporarily reduced time spent listening in cars, the proportion rebounded in 2023 and has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

The study also found that the car is the dominant location for younger listeners. Among adults 18-34, 63% of all over-the-air AM/FM radio listening occurs in vehicles. Among adults 25-54, 57% of AM/FM listening time takes place in the car.

Vehicle listening is particularly strong among women. Across every demographic group, women devote a larger share of their AM/FM radio listening to in-car environments than men. Among women aged 18-34, 72% of all over-the-air AM/FM listening occurs in the car, while roughly two-thirds of listening among women 25-54 happens while driving.

The report also shows that the share of in-car listening has increased among drivers of domestic vehicles. Among drivers of brands such as Ford, Chevrolet, GMC and Jeep, the portion of AM/FM listening taking place in vehicles rose from 43% in 2016 to 53% in 2025. Drivers of imported brands-including BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota-already showed high in-car usage in earlier years, with 55% of AM/FM listening now occurring in vehicles.

Overall, AM/FM radio accounts for 54% of all in-car audio listening across the U.S., making it the most used audio source in vehicles across most auto brands. The medium is particularly strong in General Motors vehicles, where it captures 62% of all in-car audio time.

The study also underscores radio's strength in advertising-supported listening. AM/FM radio accounts for 83% of in-car ad-supported audio listening, reinforcing its reach among consumers while they are on the road and closer to purchase decisions. Even among younger listeners aged 18-34, AM/FM radio represents 77% of in-car ad-supported audio time.

Read the entire blog post here.