Katz: AM/FM Still Dominates In-Car Audio Listening

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, August 27, 2026 | 1:39pm CT

Katz Radio Group

Despite the growing number of audio choices available in connected vehicles, AM/FM radio continues to capture the majority of listening time in the car, according to a new Katz Radio Group Sound Answers analysis.

Citing Edison Research's Q1 2026 Share of Ear study, Katz reports that AM/FM accounts for 55% of all in-car audio time, more than three times the 16% share for streaming services. Radio's share is also nearly twice that of podcasts, YouTube, SiriusXM and owned audio combined.

Katz argues that radio's continued strength on the dashboard is driven less by habit or nostalgia than by its ability to provide live and local content with little effort from drivers.

The analysis also points to Jacobs Media's 2026 Techsurvey, which found 66% of radio listeners say radio is the easiest audio option to use in the car. Katz says broadcast radio continues to benefit from being immediately available while providing local traffic, weather, news, personalities and other information relevant to drivers.

Radio also provides a live connection to breaking news, sports and changing traffic and weather conditions without requiring listeners to search for content, download programming or connect another device.

At the same time, Katz acknowledges that smartphones and connected-car technology have become an important part of the in-car audio environment.

An In Car Radio Study conducted by Nielsen in partnership with iHeartMedia in May found four in 10 drivers say connecting their phone through Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is the first thing they do after getting into a vehicle. However, one in four drivers still turns to AM/FM radio first.

Katz says the findings suggest the evolving dashboard is not necessarily an either-or competition between broadcast radio and digital audio. Instead, consumers are using different platforms for different needs, with radio continuing to occupy a central position in that mix.

The company says the takeaway for automakers is that adding new technology does not require eliminating existing choices. As dashboards become increasingly connected, Katz argues consumers still value radio's simplicity, immediacy and familiarity.

Read the full Katz Radio Sound Answers post here.