All News Radio Sees Surge in Trust and Audience Growth

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 10:06am CT

Audacy

In a fractured media landscape filled with AI-generated disinformation, partisan punditry, and social media fatigue, one medium is quietly regaining trust - All News Radio. According to new Audacy Insights data, the format is experiencing a nationwide resurgence, with audiences increasingly turning to local radio for reliable, fact-based journalism.

As nearly two-thirds of U.S. households become cord-cutters or cord-nevers, many Americans are struggling to find credible local news sources. Distrust in social media has contributed to a 16% year-over-year decline in those who "often" get their news from platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or X. In contrast, Audacy's All News stations have seen an 11% audience increase compared to last year - an impressive jump following a presidential election year.

New York's 1010 WINS is setting new benchmarks, up 22% year-over-year to more than two million weekly listeners - its largest September audience since before the pandemic. "People constantly tell us that 1010 WINS is their sole source for news they can trust," said Ben Mevorach, Vice President of News for 1010 WINS.

On the West Coast, San Francisco's KCBS-AM posted a 17% rise, fueled by listener engagement on topics like housing, climate, and transportation. Both stations underscore the format's appeal: credible reporting and context without partisan spin.

Audacy's research reinforces the medium's strength:

• Radio is America's #1 most trusted news source.
• All News Radio listeners find it most credible and least biased.
• 9 in 10 rely on local radio for breaking news - more than any other medium.
• 77% say advertising on news radio is trustworthy, extending that credibility to brands.

Audacy's All News audience skews affluent, educated, and influential. More than half earn over $250,000 annually, one-quarter have a net worth above $1 million, and they're 26% more likely to hold a college degree. Advertisers also see tangible impact - with a 20% lift in website traffic after campaigns on All News stations.

In an era where truth competes with noise, All News Radio offers both listeners and brands something rare: trust.

Read the full Audacy Insights report here.