Radio Continues to Dominate the Automotive Dashboard

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 3:01pm CT

Katz Radio Group

In the bustling world of automotive advertising, the dashboard remains a battleground for marketers aiming to capture the attention of consumers on the move, according to a report from Katz Radio Group. Despite an array of digital distractions, AM/FM radio maintains its supremacy in the car, a pivotal finding of the latest Infinite Dial study by Edison Research.

The report reveals that three out of every four motorists opt for traditional radio over other audio choices while driving, underscoring its enduring appeal in an increasingly digital age. This preference places radio's in-car audience 35% higher than its closest competitor, online audio, which encompasses a mix of AM/FM streams, pureplays, and other audio services.

Interestingly, radio's command over the automotive audio market extends significantly further than other formats, with its reach more than doubling that of podcasts and tripling that of SiriusXM's listenership. This dominance is critical for advertisers seeking effective platforms to deliver their messages at crucial decision-making moments near points of purchase.

Further emphasizing radio's importance, a separate analysis by Cumulus Media | Westwood One, using Edison Research's Share of Ear data, found that radio captures an overwhelming majority of ad-supported listening time in vehicles. Specifically, 90% of such time is devoted to AM/FM radio, which is twelve times more than podcasts and more than twenty-one times that of ad-supported streaming audio.

This data paints a clear picture: while consumers have more entertainment options than ever, radio remains the leader in the automotive space. For marketers, this translates to a unique opportunity to engage with a captive and attentive audience through traditional and streaming radio formats, effectively owning the in-car audio space.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, the resilience of radio in cars highlights its unmatched value in reaching consumers dynamically and effectively, where digital platforms still strive to penetrate.