Radio And Podcasts Capture 82% Of Ad-Supported Audio In Q3.

Advertisers looking to navigate today’s complex media landscape are increasingly relying on granular data to reach the right audiences, and the latest quarterly findings from The Record provide a clear snapshot of U.S. audio consumption. Compiled by Nielsen data and Edison Research’s Share of Ear, the report tracks how consumers spend their listening day across ad supported and ad-free platforms.

In the third quarter of 2025, Americans spent an average of 3 hours and 53 minutes daily with audio. Of that, 64% occurred in ad supported environments, with radio commanding the largest share at 62%, followed by podcasts (20%), streaming music (15%), and satellite radio (3%). Combined, radio and podcasts accounted for 82% of daily ad supported listening, underscoring their continued dominance for advertisers targeting engaged audiences.

Keying in on specific advertiser targeted demos, radio accounts for 43% of daily time spent with audio for 18- to 34-year-olds, and 59% for those 25-54, while podcasts command 31% and 24%, respectively. When looking at Persons 35+, radio reaches 69% and podcasts 16%.

The Record also breaks down listening by radio format, with AC posting a 7.1 share of total audience (over the air + streaming) in the key 25-54 demo, followed by news/talk (6.1), CHR (6.1), country (5.8%), and hot AC (5.4) rounding out the top five.

The findings highlight the enduring power of radio while providing actionable insights for brands and advertisers seeking to optimize cross-channel campaigns. The Record and Edison’s Share of Ear data remain key resources for understanding the evolving audio marketplace.