Study: AM/FM Leads Young Listeners in Cars

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 4:59pm CT

Edison Research at SSRS

AM/FM radio accounts for 70% of ad-supported audio listening in the car among Americans ages 13-34, according to new data from Edison Research at SSRS' Share of Ear study.

The research found that Americans in the 13-34 demographic spend an average of just under one hour per day listening to audio in the car. Of that listening time, 63% is spent with ad-supported audio platforms.

Among those ad-supported sources, AM/FM radio -- including both over-the-air broadcasts and radio streams -- commands 70% of listening time, giving radio a substantial lead over other audio options.

Podcasts rank second with 11% of ad-supported in-car audio time among the younger demographic. Streaming music accounts for 10%, although Edison noted that much of the category's overall listening occurs on ad-free services.

Music and music videos on YouTube account for another 7% of ad-supported in-car listening, while SiriusXM represents 2%. Edison noted that only SiriusXM's non-music channels carry advertising.

Edison said the findings demonstrate AM/FM radio's continuing ability to reach younger consumers in the car despite the growing number of audio choices available to listeners.

Share of Ear measures audio consumption by everyone in the vehicle, not solely the driver.