GITNUXREPORT 2025

Radio Industry Statistics

Radio industry revenue hits billions; digital shift boosts growth and advertising efficacy.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Radio advertising return on investment (ROI) is approximately 6 times higher than digital advertising

Statistic 2

The use of AI in radio content creation increased by 40% in 2023, enhancing personalization and automation

Statistic 3

The average duration of a typical radio commercial is about 30 seconds, with variations depending on the campaign

Statistic 4

Radio's digital advertising click-through rate (CTR) is approximately 0.8%, higher than some digital platforms

Statistic 5

The majority of radio stations (around 70%) now use digital sales platforms for advertising sales, reflecting digital transformation

Statistic 6

Nearly 60% of radio ads are now personalized using data analytics, improving targeting and effectiveness

Statistic 7

92% of Americans listen to the radio at least once a week

Statistic 8

The average person listens to radio content for about 2.5 hours per day

Statistic 9

Internet radio accounted for approximately 15% of all radio listening hours in 2022

Statistic 10

The median age of radio listeners in the U.S. is around 50 years old

Statistic 11

About 70% of radio listening occurs in a car

Statistic 12

40% of U.S. adults listen to radio at work

Statistic 13

Radio reaches approximately 93% of the population weekly, making it one of the most widely consumed media platforms

Statistic 14

Courtship radio is gaining popularity with a 15% increase in station allocations over the past 3 years

Statistic 15

Streaming radio shows showed a 20% year-over-year growth in 2023

Statistic 16

Women account for about 52% of radio audiences in the U.S.

Statistic 17

The highest-rated radio program in the U.S. in 2022 had over 12 million weekly listeners

Statistic 18

Approximately 68% of millennials listen to the radio weekly

Statistic 19

The top radio app in the U.S. has over 1.5 million downloads

Statistic 20

Radio hosts with over 10 years of experience tend to have higher listener loyalty, with a 20% increase compared to newer hosts

Statistic 21

About 35% of Americans listen primarily via digital platforms, including apps and online streams

Statistic 22

Radio remains the most effective medium for local advertising, with a 70% recall rate among consumers

Statistic 23

Communities with strong local radio stations experience a 15% higher civic engagement rate

Statistic 24

The average number of radio stations a person listens to per week in the U.S. is about 5

Statistic 25

In 2022, about 45% of radio ad impressions were local, highlighting the importance of regional content

Statistic 26

Radio remains a key marketing channel for automobile companies, with 35% of car buyers citing radio as their primary source of info during purchase

Statistic 27

Radio's role in emergency alert systems is crucial, with 98% of Americans trusting radio for emergency information

Statistic 28

The average age of radio advertising viewers has increased to 52 years, reflecting an aging demographic

Statistic 29

The number of radio stations in the United States surpassed 15,000 in 2022

Statistic 30

The top three radio formats in the U.S. are country, news/talk, and Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR)

Statistic 31

The U.S. radio industry employs about 50,000 people across different roles

Statistic 32

Spotify and Apple Music together account for nearly 60% of music streaming, impacting radio's music curation strategies

Statistic 33

The top 5 radio companies in the world control over 60% of the global radio advertising market

Statistic 34

The global radio industry revenue was approximately $46.6 billion in 2022

Statistic 35

Radio advertising spending in the U.S. reached around $13.9 billion in 2023

Statistic 36

66% of radio advertising budgets are allocated to local stations

Statistic 37

AM/FM radio stations generate roughly $20 billion annually through advertising

Statistic 38

Radio broadcast revenue in Europe was approximately €22 billion in 2022

Statistic 39

The digital radio industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2023 to 2028

Statistic 40

The largest radio company in the world by revenue is iHeartMedia, with over $1.7 billion in 2022

Statistic 41

The average cost for a 30-second radio ad in the U.S. varies between $200 and $5,000 depending on market size

Statistic 42

In 2022, the average revenue per radio station was approximately $3.1 million in the U.S.

Statistic 43

Rapid growth in podcast advertising revenue is expected to reach $2.7 billion globally by 2024

Statistic 44

The median revenue for a local radio station in the U.S. is approximately $300,000 annually

Statistic 45

The average revenue per listener (ARPL) for radio in the US is approximately $4.50 annually

Statistic 46

60% of radio station revenue is generated through advertising, with the remainder from syndication, events, and other sources

Statistic 47

The global digital radio market is projected to reach $12 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 9%

Statistic 48

The percentage of radio advertising budgets spent on digital audio increased by 25% in 2023, indicating a shift towards online and streaming media

Statistic 49

The median advertising revenue per station for independent radio stations is around $250,000 annually

Statistic 50

The radio industry’s market share in the US media landscape has declined slightly from 27% in 2019 to 23% in 2022, due to competition from digital media

Statistic 51

Over 80% of Americans own a radio or similar device

Statistic 52

Podcasting is considered a subset of radio, with over 2 million active podcasts as of 2023

Statistic 53

Mobile devices account for 65% of all radio streaming in the US

Statistic 54

55% of radio listeners prefer to listen via traditional FM/AM radios

Statistic 55

The average age of radio device owners is increasing, with 65% of owners being over 45 years old

Statistic 56

Nearly 75% of radio stations now broadcast in HD, offering higher sound quality

Statistic 57

45% of radio listeners tune in via smart speakers at least once a week

Statistic 58

25% of all American households have a smart speaker, contributing significantly to radio streaming

Statistic 59

The number of country format radio stations grew by 10% over the past 3 years, making it one of the fastest-growing formats

Statistic 60

Weekly online radio streaming sessions have increased by 30% since 2020, driven by mobile device usage

Statistic 61

Satellite radio subscriber base in the US surpassed 30 million in 2023, showing growth in digital radio platforms

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Sources

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Key Highlights

The global radio industry revenue was approximately $46.6 billion in 2022
92% of Americans listen to the radio at least once a week
The average person listens to radio content for about 2.5 hours per day
Radio advertising spending in the U.S. reached around $13.9 billion in 2023
Over 80% of Americans own a radio or similar device
Internet radio accounted for approximately 15% of all radio listening hours in 2022
The number of radio stations in the United States surpassed 15,000 in 2022
Podcasting is considered a subset of radio, with over 2 million active podcasts as of 2023
66% of radio advertising budgets are allocated to local stations
The median age of radio listeners in the U.S. is around 50 years old
Mobile devices account for 65% of all radio streaming in the US
AM/FM radio stations generate roughly $20 billion annually through advertising
About 70% of radio listening occurs in a car

The radio industry, a powerhouse of global media with $46.6 billion in 2022 revenue and over 92% of Americans tuning in weekly, is experiencing a digital transformation driven by streaming, data analytics, and evolving listener habits.

Advertising Trends and Personalization

Radio advertising return on investment (ROI) is approximately 6 times higher than digital advertising
The use of AI in radio content creation increased by 40% in 2023, enhancing personalization and automation
The average duration of a typical radio commercial is about 30 seconds, with variations depending on the campaign
Radio's digital advertising click-through rate (CTR) is approximately 0.8%, higher than some digital platforms
The majority of radio stations (around 70%) now use digital sales platforms for advertising sales, reflecting digital transformation
Nearly 60% of radio ads are now personalized using data analytics, improving targeting and effectiveness

Advertising Trends and Personalization Interpretation

Despite digital’s rising profile, radio’s remarkable 6x ROI, growing AI-driven personalization, and higher engagement metrics underscore its enduring relevance and adaptive innovation in a rapidly changing media landscape.

Audience Engagement and Listening Habits

92% of Americans listen to the radio at least once a week
The average person listens to radio content for about 2.5 hours per day
Internet radio accounted for approximately 15% of all radio listening hours in 2022
The median age of radio listeners in the U.S. is around 50 years old
About 70% of radio listening occurs in a car
40% of U.S. adults listen to radio at work
Radio reaches approximately 93% of the population weekly, making it one of the most widely consumed media platforms
Courtship radio is gaining popularity with a 15% increase in station allocations over the past 3 years
Streaming radio shows showed a 20% year-over-year growth in 2023
Women account for about 52% of radio audiences in the U.S.
The highest-rated radio program in the U.S. in 2022 had over 12 million weekly listeners
Approximately 68% of millennials listen to the radio weekly
The top radio app in the U.S. has over 1.5 million downloads
Radio hosts with over 10 years of experience tend to have higher listener loyalty, with a 20% increase compared to newer hosts
About 35% of Americans listen primarily via digital platforms, including apps and online streams
Radio remains the most effective medium for local advertising, with a 70% recall rate among consumers
Communities with strong local radio stations experience a 15% higher civic engagement rate
The average number of radio stations a person listens to per week in the U.S. is about 5
In 2022, about 45% of radio ad impressions were local, highlighting the importance of regional content
Radio remains a key marketing channel for automobile companies, with 35% of car buyers citing radio as their primary source of info during purchase
Radio's role in emergency alert systems is crucial, with 98% of Americans trusting radio for emergency information
The average age of radio advertising viewers has increased to 52 years, reflecting an aging demographic

Audience Engagement and Listening Habits Interpretation

Despite digital waves and streaming surges, radio's enduring reach—covering 93% of Americans weekly, commanding 2.5 hours daily, and steering local engagement—proves it's still the most trustworthy and versatile megaphone for community, commerce, and connection in an ever-evolving media landscape.

Industry Structure and Technological Roles

The number of radio stations in the United States surpassed 15,000 in 2022
The top three radio formats in the U.S. are country, news/talk, and Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR)
The U.S. radio industry employs about 50,000 people across different roles
Spotify and Apple Music together account for nearly 60% of music streaming, impacting radio's music curation strategies
The top 5 radio companies in the world control over 60% of the global radio advertising market

Industry Structure and Technological Roles Interpretation

With over 15,000 stations and a workforce of 50,000, the U.S. radio industry remains a pervasive force in music and news—yet as Spotify and Apple Music command nearly 60% of streaming, the airwaves must innovate or risk becoming background noise in a digital age dominated by tech giants controlling 60% of global advertising.

Market Revenue and Spending

The global radio industry revenue was approximately $46.6 billion in 2022
Radio advertising spending in the U.S. reached around $13.9 billion in 2023
66% of radio advertising budgets are allocated to local stations
AM/FM radio stations generate roughly $20 billion annually through advertising
Radio broadcast revenue in Europe was approximately €22 billion in 2022
The digital radio industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2023 to 2028
The largest radio company in the world by revenue is iHeartMedia, with over $1.7 billion in 2022
The average cost for a 30-second radio ad in the U.S. varies between $200 and $5,000 depending on market size
In 2022, the average revenue per radio station was approximately $3.1 million in the U.S.
Rapid growth in podcast advertising revenue is expected to reach $2.7 billion globally by 2024
The median revenue for a local radio station in the U.S. is approximately $300,000 annually
The average revenue per listener (ARPL) for radio in the US is approximately $4.50 annually
60% of radio station revenue is generated through advertising, with the remainder from syndication, events, and other sources
The global digital radio market is projected to reach $12 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 9%
The percentage of radio advertising budgets spent on digital audio increased by 25% in 2023, indicating a shift towards online and streaming media
The median advertising revenue per station for independent radio stations is around $250,000 annually
The radio industry’s market share in the US media landscape has declined slightly from 27% in 2019 to 23% in 2022, due to competition from digital media

Market Revenue and Spending Interpretation

Despite generating over $46 billion globally and experiencing a 25% surge in digital ad spend, radio's shrinking U.S. market share—from 27% to 23%—serves as a reminder that even in the airwaves, staying relevant requires tuning into the digital frequency.

Ownership and Device Penetration

Over 80% of Americans own a radio or similar device
Podcasting is considered a subset of radio, with over 2 million active podcasts as of 2023
Mobile devices account for 65% of all radio streaming in the US
55% of radio listeners prefer to listen via traditional FM/AM radios
The average age of radio device owners is increasing, with 65% of owners being over 45 years old
Nearly 75% of radio stations now broadcast in HD, offering higher sound quality
45% of radio listeners tune in via smart speakers at least once a week
25% of all American households have a smart speaker, contributing significantly to radio streaming
The number of country format radio stations grew by 10% over the past 3 years, making it one of the fastest-growing formats
Weekly online radio streaming sessions have increased by 30% since 2020, driven by mobile device usage
Satellite radio subscriber base in the US surpassed 30 million in 2023, showing growth in digital radio platforms

Ownership and Device Penetration Interpretation

Despite the rise of digital and smart device listeners, traditional radio’s core audience remains steadfast and aging gracefully, ensuring the airwaves still hold charm—particularly as genres like country surge, HD broadcasting thrives, and podcasts carve out their niche within the enduring radio empire.