GITNUXREPORT 2025

Radio Advertising Statistics

Radio advertising reaches most adults, generates high ROI, and boosts brand recall.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Radio ads generate an average ROI of $6 for every $1 spent

Statistic 2

40% of radio advertising impacts purchase decisions within 24 hours

Statistic 3

Radio ads are credited with 60% of all consumer product purchases after hearing the ad

Statistic 4

Radio spots have a 77% recall rate among listeners

Statistic 5

30% of consumers discover new brands through radio advertising

Statistic 6

85% of radio advertising viewers remember the message by the next day

Statistic 7

Radio advertising is considered more trustworthy than digital or TV ads by 65% of consumers

Statistic 8

Radio advertising during drive time has a 33% higher effectiveness rate than non-peak hours

Statistic 9

48% of radio listeners recall at least one ad from last week

Statistic 10

35% of consumers have made a purchase after hearing a radio ad

Statistic 11

Radio advertising is especially effective for driving in-store traffic, with 72% of consumers visiting a store after hearing an ad

Statistic 12

68% of new product launches employed radio advertising to generate awareness

Statistic 13

Radio advertising allows real-time campaign adjustments, improving effectiveness by 25%

Statistic 14

Radio advertising can generate up to 5 times more recall than digital ads

Statistic 15

During live events, radio advertising achieves an engagement lift of 20%

Statistic 16

42% of entrepreneurs consider radio advertising to be one of the most effective marketing channels

Statistic 17

78% of radio advertising campaigns include a branding element

Statistic 18

Radio advertising can increase brand awareness by 45% within three months

Statistic 19

82% of radio ads include a call-to-action, primarily encouraging visits or calls

Statistic 20

Radio advertising's effectiveness is highest among audiences aged 35-54, with a 42% engagement rate

Statistic 21

The average length of a successful radio ad is 30 seconds, with most campaigns running 4-6 times per week

Statistic 22

The impact of radio advertising on brand recall is 60% higher in rural areas compared to urban areas

Statistic 23

76% of listeners have bought a product or service after hearing a radio ad

Statistic 24

Radio advertising reaches 91% of adults weekly

Statistic 25

85% of Americans listen to the radio each week

Statistic 26

72% of people say they listen to radio daily

Statistic 27

The average radio listener spends about 13 hours per week listening to AM/FM radio

Statistic 28

78% of mobile users listen to radio on their smartphones

Statistic 29

During the pandemic, radio ad impressions increased by 15%

Statistic 30

55% of small and medium-sized businesses use radio advertising as a main marketing channel

Statistic 31

Radio advertising allows for targeted regional campaigns with an average segmentation accuracy of 82%

Statistic 32

Radio advertising on streaming platforms like Spotify grew by 22% in 2022

Statistic 33

91% of Americans listen to radio weekly, consumers spend an average of 152 minutes daily on radio

Statistic 34

The average daily reach of radio advertising campaigns is 2.3 million people

Statistic 35

Radio advertising is cited as the preferred advertising medium for 50% of small business owners

Statistic 36

Radio advertising campaigns achieve an average frequency of 3.8 times per listener

Statistic 37

The majority of radio advertising dollars are spent on adult demographics aged 25-54

Statistic 38

75% of consumers say they tune into radio because it gives them local news and updates

Statistic 39

Podcast advertising, a subset of radio digital audio, grew by over 27% in 2022

Statistic 40

Radio remains the most accessible advertising medium for small businesses, with 70% planning to invest more in radio advertising this year

Statistic 41

Radio offers high geographic targeting accuracy, reaching audiences within a 10-mile radius 80% of the time

Statistic 42

80% of radio ads are now optimized for mobile devices

Statistic 43

43% of radio advertising campaigns include a digital call-to-action

Statistic 44

53% of marketers report that radio advertising offers better ROI than digital display ads

Statistic 45

The average ROI for radio advertising campaigns is 7:1

Statistic 46

Radio advertising spends in the U.S. surpassed $10 billion annually

Statistic 47

The average cost per lead generated via radio is estimated at $15, significantly lower than many digital channels

Statistic 48

The average listener exposure to radio ads is about 2 hours per day

Statistic 49

50% of radio advertising budgets are spent on local stations

Statistic 50

65% of advertisers increased their radio ad spend in the past year

Statistic 51

70% of radio advertising strategies focus on local markets

Statistic 52

The cost per thousand impressions (CPM) for radio advertising ranges between $5 and $30

Statistic 53

45% of radio advertising budgets are allocated to digital audio platforms like Spotify and Pandora

Statistic 54

60% of e-commerce companies plan to increase radio ad spend in the next year

Statistic 55

82% of radio ad budgets are spent on local stations targeting specific demographic groups

Statistic 56

Political campaigns allocate approximately 20% of their ad budget to radio advertising each election cycle

Statistic 57

62% of advertising agencies predict increased investment in radio over the next five years

Statistic 58

The average cost per spot for a local radio ad is approximately $200

Statistic 59

54% of brands that use radio advertising plan to increase their budget in the next year

Slide 1 of 59

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Radio advertising reaches 91% of adults weekly
85% of Americans listen to the radio each week
Radio ads generate an average ROI of $6 for every $1 spent
72% of people say they listen to radio daily
50% of radio advertising budgets are spent on local stations
The average radio listener spends about 13 hours per week listening to AM/FM radio
40% of radio advertising impacts purchase decisions within 24 hours
Radio ads are credited with 60% of all consumer product purchases after hearing the ad
78% of mobile users listen to radio on their smartphones
65% of advertisers increased their radio ad spend in the past year
Radio spots have a 77% recall rate among listeners
30% of consumers discover new brands through radio advertising
During the pandemic, radio ad impressions increased by 15%

Did you know that 91% of adults tune into the radio weekly, making it one of the most powerful and cost-effective advertising mediums to reach eager consumers and drive measurable results?

Advertising Effectiveness and Impact

Radio ads generate an average ROI of $6 for every $1 spent
40% of radio advertising impacts purchase decisions within 24 hours
Radio ads are credited with 60% of all consumer product purchases after hearing the ad
Radio spots have a 77% recall rate among listeners
30% of consumers discover new brands through radio advertising
85% of radio advertising viewers remember the message by the next day
Radio advertising is considered more trustworthy than digital or TV ads by 65% of consumers
Radio advertising during drive time has a 33% higher effectiveness rate than non-peak hours
48% of radio listeners recall at least one ad from last week
35% of consumers have made a purchase after hearing a radio ad
Radio advertising is especially effective for driving in-store traffic, with 72% of consumers visiting a store after hearing an ad
68% of new product launches employed radio advertising to generate awareness
Radio advertising allows real-time campaign adjustments, improving effectiveness by 25%
Radio advertising can generate up to 5 times more recall than digital ads
During live events, radio advertising achieves an engagement lift of 20%
42% of entrepreneurs consider radio advertising to be one of the most effective marketing channels
78% of radio advertising campaigns include a branding element
Radio advertising can increase brand awareness by 45% within three months
82% of radio ads include a call-to-action, primarily encouraging visits or calls
Radio advertising's effectiveness is highest among audiences aged 35-54, with a 42% engagement rate
The average length of a successful radio ad is 30 seconds, with most campaigns running 4-6 times per week
The impact of radio advertising on brand recall is 60% higher in rural areas compared to urban areas
76% of listeners have bought a product or service after hearing a radio ad

Advertising Effectiveness and Impact Interpretation

With a $6 return for every $1 invested, radio advertising's astounding recall rates, trustworthiness, and ability to swiftly influence purchase decisions—especially during drive time and in rural areas—prove it's still the wireless whisperer of choice for brands aiming to turn airwaves into action.

Audience Reach and Listening Habits

Radio advertising reaches 91% of adults weekly
85% of Americans listen to the radio each week
72% of people say they listen to radio daily
The average radio listener spends about 13 hours per week listening to AM/FM radio
78% of mobile users listen to radio on their smartphones
During the pandemic, radio ad impressions increased by 15%
55% of small and medium-sized businesses use radio advertising as a main marketing channel
Radio advertising allows for targeted regional campaigns with an average segmentation accuracy of 82%
Radio advertising on streaming platforms like Spotify grew by 22% in 2022
91% of Americans listen to radio weekly, consumers spend an average of 152 minutes daily on radio
The average daily reach of radio advertising campaigns is 2.3 million people
Radio advertising is cited as the preferred advertising medium for 50% of small business owners
Radio advertising campaigns achieve an average frequency of 3.8 times per listener
The majority of radio advertising dollars are spent on adult demographics aged 25-54
75% of consumers say they tune into radio because it gives them local news and updates
Podcast advertising, a subset of radio digital audio, grew by over 27% in 2022
Radio remains the most accessible advertising medium for small businesses, with 70% planning to invest more in radio advertising this year
Radio offers high geographic targeting accuracy, reaching audiences within a 10-mile radius 80% of the time

Audience Reach and Listening Habits Interpretation

With 91% of adults tuning in weekly and nearly twice that spending over 13 hours a week on radio—plus a 22% surge in streaming platforms—radio's pervasive reach and precise regional targeting make it the steadfast voice of advertising, proving that in a digital age, good old FM still hits all the right notes.

Digital Integration and Mobile Optimization

80% of radio ads are now optimized for mobile devices
43% of radio advertising campaigns include a digital call-to-action

Digital Integration and Mobile Optimization Interpretation

With 80% of radio ads now mobile-optimized and nearly half urging digital engagement, broadcasters are clearly tuning in to the digital age—proving that in radio, as in life, a good call-to-action still needs an online playlist.

Economic Performance and ROI

53% of marketers report that radio advertising offers better ROI than digital display ads
The average ROI for radio advertising campaigns is 7:1
Radio advertising spends in the U.S. surpassed $10 billion annually
The average cost per lead generated via radio is estimated at $15, significantly lower than many digital channels

Economic Performance and ROI Interpretation

With over half of marketers touting radio's superior ROI, a $10 billion annual investment, and a cost per lead just $15, it's clear that radio remains the golden microphone for marketing success—proving that sometimes, going back to the basics strikes the loudest chord.

Listening Habits

The average listener exposure to radio ads is about 2 hours per day

Listening Habits Interpretation

With listeners tuning in for roughly two hours daily, radio advertising's reach is like a well-timed coffee break—brief but powerful enough to caffeinate brand awareness.

Strategic Use and Budgeting of Radio Advertising

50% of radio advertising budgets are spent on local stations
65% of advertisers increased their radio ad spend in the past year
70% of radio advertising strategies focus on local markets
The cost per thousand impressions (CPM) for radio advertising ranges between $5 and $30
45% of radio advertising budgets are allocated to digital audio platforms like Spotify and Pandora
60% of e-commerce companies plan to increase radio ad spend in the next year
82% of radio ad budgets are spent on local stations targeting specific demographic groups
Political campaigns allocate approximately 20% of their ad budget to radio advertising each election cycle
62% of advertising agencies predict increased investment in radio over the next five years
The average cost per spot for a local radio ad is approximately $200
54% of brands that use radio advertising plan to increase their budget in the next year

Strategic Use and Budgeting of Radio Advertising Interpretation

As radio continues to resonate locally and digitally, with over half of ad budgets invested in hometown stations and nearly as many brands ramping up their spend, it’s clear that whether tuning in on the dial or stream, advertisers are betting that the power of radio’s reach—and its affordability between $5 and $30 CPM—remains a primarily local love story with a promising future.