Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

Study: Programmatic Radio Advertising Set for Growth


The percentage of ad buyers that purchase radio and digital audio advertising with programmatic technology will nearly triple in the next 12 months, according to a new WideOrbit survey of radio industry and media professionals. Ad campaigns purchased with programmatic will also increase, with 100 percent of ad buyers saying that their programmatic spending on audio advertising will either increase or stay the same in the next 12 months.

These results are taken from a survey of nearly 9,000 radio industry professionals and media buyers that was fielded earlier this year by WideOrbit. The final report, "The Future of Programmatic Radio Advertising," discusses attitudes towards programmatic by radio and digital audio ad buyers and sellers. The respondents were media buyers and sales, traffic, IT and general business executives from radio stations and groups across the United States.

According to the report:

  • The future of programmatic audio advertising is bright. Nearly two-thirds of radio industry respondents and almost 90 percent of ad buyers plan to transact with programmatic platforms within the next 12 months.
  • Radio advertising buyers and sellers have different reasons for adopting programmatic. Radio stations and groups are looking to programmatic advertising for additional revenue, inventory protection and workflow automation, while ad buyers favor features that can make campaigns more efficient or effective.
  • Ad buyers are moving faster than radio stations and groups to embrace cross-media campaigns. Most buyers no longer differentiate between traditional and digital audio campaigns, and nearly three-quarters think it's important to buy these formats together. A smaller proportion of ad sellers say it's important to package linear and digital audio together.
WideOrbit Chief Marketing Officer Mickey Wilson said, "Our survey showed that audio ad buyers want to make campaigns more efficient and simpler to manage across media. Programmatic advertising solves both of these problems, which explains why almost all buyers plan to make greater use of the programmatic sales channel in the near future."

He continued, "Based on this survey, we are optimistic that programmatic's importance will grow in radio and digital audio. As more audio inventory becomes available through programmatic platforms and digital and linear inventory are more commonly packaged together, we expect to see greater portions of ad budgets shift to radio because of its unmatched engagement and household penetration."

"The Future of Programmatic Radio Advertising" is available as a free download at http://www2.wideorbit.com/future-of-programmatic-radio.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

Audacy Flips WTDY Philadelphia to Country as US 96.5
WTDY (US 96.5) Philadelphia
WTDY (US 96.5) Philadelphia
Audacy has flipped Hot AC WTDY-FM in Philadelphia to Country as "US 96.5," introducing a new destination for Country music listeners in the City of Brotherly Love. The format change took effect Monday, October 19, with the station broadcasting commercial-free through October 24. The new US 96.5 features More

MRC Revokes Nielsen PPM Accreditation in Four Markets
Media Rating Council (MRC)
Media Rating Council (MRC)
The Media Rating Council (MRC) has revoked accreditation for Nielsen Audio's Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings services in four major radio markets and denied accreditation for an additional 18 markets, according to its third-quarter 2026 accreditation decisions. The four markets losing accreditation More

WZLX Boston's Carter Alan to Retire After 47 Years
Carter Alan
Carter Alan
iHeartMedia Boston has announced that veteran radio personality Carter Alan will retire from Classic Rock WZLX-FM (100.7 WZLX) after 47 years on the Boston airwaves. His final weekday midday show is scheduled for Friday, December 18, 2026. Alan, one of Boston's most recognizable Classic Rock More
Advertisement

Rob Wagman Joins SonicTrek to Lead New CCM Format
Rob Wagman
Rob Wagman
SonicTrek Media has named veteran programmer and consultant Rob Wagman to lead "Manna," a new localized Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) format featuring veteran radio personality Sparkle as its anchor host. The format is designed to provide stations with a market-specific alternative to traditional More

Connoisseur Relaunches WWUZ as 96.9 The Cannon
WWUZ-FM (96.9 The Cannon) in Fredericksburg, VA
WWUZ-FM (96.9 The Cannon) in Fredericksburg, VA
Connoisseur Media has relaunched WWUZ-FM in Fredericksburg, VA, as "96.9 The Cannon," introducing a new identity and expanded Rock format that combines the station's longtime Classic Rock library with rock hits from the past 25 years. The rebranding marks a new chapter for WWUZ, which has served More

Former CBS Radio Executive Rod Calarco Dies at 79
Rod Calarco
Rod Calarco
Veteran radio executive John Anthony "Rod" Calarco, whose career included nearly three decades at CBS Radio and leadership positions at several major-market stations, died October 12, 2026, of a heart attack. He was 79. Calarco, who divided his time between White Plains, NY, and Naples, FL, spent 28 More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement