Podcast Listening Leads Spoken-Word Audio Time

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 12:05pm CT

Edison Research at SSRS

Podcasts have edged past AM/FM radio as the leading platform for spoken-word audio listening time among Americans, according to new analysis of Share of Ear data, with generational differences driving much of the shift.

Among persons 13+, podcasts account for 40% of daily spoken-word audio listening time, narrowly surpassing AM/FM radio at 39%. The milestone reflects a steady rise in podcast consumption, which has gradually chipped away at radio's historic dominance in the category.

The gap widens significantly among younger audiences. For those ages 13-34, podcasts dominate with 53% of spoken-word listening time, compared to just 23% for AM/FM radio. The trend continues, though less dramatically, among adults 35-54, where podcasts capture 47% of listening time versus 35% for radio.

However, AM/FM radio remains the clear leader among older listeners. Adults 55+ devote 55% of their spoken-word audio time to radio, while podcasts account for just 22%, highlighting a sharp generational divide in platform preference.

The growth of podcast listening among younger demographics is largely attributed to demand for on-demand content, often paired with visual elements, a format that differs from traditional radio. Meanwhile, AM/FM radio continues to offer a broad mix of spoken-word programming, including news, sports, talk and public radio content.

While the analysis focused specifically on podcasts and AM/FM radio, Share of Ear also tracks other spoken-word sources such as satellite radio and audiobooks, along with both audio-only and video podcast consumption.