Old School Still Rules for Local Radio!
New data from the 2023 FMR/Eastlan Ratings National Radio Listening Survey shows AM/FM local radio listeners still have a strong preference for the radio dial. Listeners outside the Top 30 markets are even more likely to enjoy their favorite stations on the radio dial.
In large markets (Market 1-30), two thirds of all radio listening came from the traditional AM/FM radio, while 13% of listening was through a phone app, 12% from a stream and 6% on a smart speaker. In markets 31+, 71% of all listening is from traditional AM/FM radio. New in 2023, Listeners were asked the “primary” way they listen to their favorite local radio stations.
| 2023 Total | Markets 1-30 | Markets 31+ | 2022 | |
| AM/FM Radio | 69% | 66% | 71% | — |
| Streaming Audio | 13% | 12% | 12% | — |
| Phone App | 10% | 13% | 10% | — |
| Not sure/Depends | 8% | 9% | 7% | — |
The Listening Study for FMR Associates and Eastlan Ratings is conducted from March-October each year. The statistically projectable national survey of 1500 25- to 64-year-old adults from the thousands surveyed each month by FMR Associates and Eastlan was demographically balanced and geographically representative.
