Observed Signal · Jun 12, 2026 · Market Research · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Studies: AM/FM Still Dominates In‑Car Listening
Multiple recent studies and industry reports show that traditional AM/FM broadcast radio remains the primary in‑car audio source for many drivers. Edison Research’s Q2 2025 Share of Ear found AM/FM accounts for 56% of U.S. in‑car audio time (13% satellite, 6% streaming), and AM/FM makes up 85% of ad‑supported in‑car audio. A WorldDAB survey of 8,000+ car buyers across six countries reported 83% listen to broadcast radio in vehicles and 50% say radio is their most frequent in‑car audio. Even among Tesla owners, AM/FM represented 51% of in‑car audio time. Industry reports note friction points for radio discovery in modern cars (fewer physical radio buttons; defaults to last audio source), while Audacy research finds radio advertising drives post‑listen actions (e.g., 56% looked up an advertiser after hearing a radio ad).
New and corroborating audience measurements show broadcast radio retains dominant in‑car reach and advertiser responsiveness, informing media planning and car OEM feature decisions but not a platform- or policy-level industry shift.
Track Tesla Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time
Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your free Explorer workspace to monitor these entities.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Edison Research Q2 2025 Share of Ear: AM/FM captures 56% of U.S. in‑car audio time; satellite 13%; streaming services (Spotify example) 6%.
- When limited to ad‑supported audio, AM/FM accounts for 85% of in‑car listening (Edison Research).
- WorldDAB global survey of 8,000+ car buyers (Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK) found 83% listen to broadcast radio in vehicles; 50% say radio is what they listen to most often.
- Among Tesla owners, AM/FM represents 51% of in‑car audio time; podcasts 12% and satellite radio 10% (Cord Cutters News summary of referenced research).
- Quu 2026 report: AM/FM tuners present across top 100 U.S. vehicle models, but only 26% have a physical radio button (down from 36%); built‑in streaming apps appear in 53% of models (vs 20% in 2024).
- Audacy Connected Car study (n=966 connected car drivers): 56% looked up more information about an advertiser after hearing a radio ad while driving; 53% discussed the product with friends or family.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mappedOntology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
AM/FM Radio Remains America's Mass-Reach Audio
Nielsen data shows AM/FM radio still reaches 87% of Americans weekly, with strong penetration in the 18–34 demographic. In an interview, Pierre Bouvard, Chief Insights Officer at Cumulus Media | Westwood One, argues radio’s strength is persistent reach and contextual listening — two‑thirds of radio listening happens away from home and nearly half occurs in cars — making streaming a complement rather than a replacement. Radio streaming has grown as a share of listening (from 7% in 2017 to 13%), and on smart speakers AM/FM holds 54% of ad‑supported audio versus podcasts at 20%. Bouvard emphasizes on‑air personalities as the primary driver of loyalty and notes limited, practical AI uses (e.g., localized AI voice tags) that augment but do not replace human talent.
Podcasts Surpass Radio in U.S. Listening Habits!
Edison Research’s Share of Ear survey finds that, for the first time, podcasts account for a larger share of spoken‑word listening in the U.S. than AM/FM talk radio: podcasts represent 40% of spoken‑word listening time versus 39% for radio. Edison’s data and related industry reports highlight growing video podcast consumption (included in the stats), an estimated 115 million weekly U.S. podcast listeners, and platform interest from streaming services such as Netflix signing deals with iHeartMedia and Barstool Sports. YouTube reported 700 million hours per month of podcast viewing on living‑room devices in 2025 (up from 400 million). Triton Digital’s 2025 report shows large overlap between audio and video podcast audiences and genre differences in format preference.
Lawmakers Approve AM Radio Mandate for US Automakers
The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would require automakers to include AM radio in new vehicles at no extra cost. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it has bipartisan support with key sponsors including Senators Ed Markey and Ted Cruz. Proponents argue AM radio is crucial for emergency alerts, while automakers like Tesla, Rivian, and BMW have been dropping the feature, often citing electromagnetic interference from electric motors. This legislation could impact the automotive and broadcast industries by preserving AM radio's reach. The bill's future hinges on the Senate vote.
Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts
Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.