STATION EDITORIAL

Posted May 7, 2025

This is a station editorial, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.

Here’s something that might surprise you: AM/FM radio is still a huge part of people’s daily lives. According to new research from Edison, about 35% of all daily audio time in the U.S. is spent listening to AM/FM radio. That’s more than any other ad-supported audio platform—by a long shot.

Sure, a lot of that listening still happens the old-fashioned way, especially in the car. But radio is also showing up in places you might not expect. At home, about 22% of AM/FM radio listening is done through streaming. At work, it’s around 16%. That’s a big shift—and it shows how radio is meeting people wherever they are, on whatever device they’re using.

Smart speakers are a great example. In 2024, AM/FM streaming actually had the largest share of ad-supported listening on those devices. People are clearly using smart speakers as an easy way to keep radio in their daily routine, whether they’re making coffee or winding down at night.

And get this—radio is resonating with Gen Z more than you might think. Nearly 40% of people aged 18 to 24 are tuning in every day. And for them, it’s not just about the music. It’s about the connection. Sixty percent of Gen Z listeners say that radio hosts make them feel like they’re hanging out with a friend. That kind of human touch really matters, especially in a world full of playlists and algorithms.

So even in the era of streaming and on-demand everything, AM/FM radio is evolving, growing, and staying relevant. Whether it’s through a car stereo, a smart speaker, or an app, radio is still showing up—and people are still listening.

All are important facts for businesses today to consider when spending their valuable advertising dollars.   

And, our local advertisers are also finding that the combination of AM-FM radio AND digital media is an UNBEATABLE combination!   We help our advertisers effectively use BOTH every day!

That’s our opinion, we welcome yours.   Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.