Techsurvey 2026 Explores Listeners’ Growing YouTube Usage.

Six in ten core radio listeners use YouTube weekly or more often, especially women and progressively younger respondents. Most Boomers are on YouTube every week, too, reinforcing the platform’s importance for radio brands that want to be where their listeners are.

These and other key Techsurvey 2026 findings will be presented by Jacobs Media during a free webinar Thursday, April 23 at 2pm ET.

Based on nearly 31,000 surveys from listeners of more than 500 U.S. radio stations, Techsurvey 2026 will reveal data on how format fans that are the most regular YouTube users break down.

“You can get a feel for types of radio listeners who are already using the platform the most—and the least—by their format of preference,” Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs writes in a blog post. “And we’re got information on station YouTube channels, and how they’re being utilized.”

With 62% of core radio listeners using the platform weekly, it’s no surprise that many morning shows and stations distribute original content on their own branded YouTube channels.

“All this information reinforces the need for radio to continue to think more visually—whether it’s the creation of short videos for sites like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, dashboard visuals using metadata, having cameras in the studio to give listeners that ‘behind the scenes’ feel, video versions of podcasts, and visual components for personality-driven shows,” Jacobs continues.

The rise and dominance of YouTube – which last year edged out the Walt Disney Company as the world’s largest media company – along with other video-based platforms, means radio stations need a video strategy, Jacobs asserts. “The media future is a visual one that broadcasters not only need to get their heads around but also find ways to both finance and monetize it. To do anything less—to mount just a token video effort—will result in falling further behind, an outcome radio broadcasters cannot afford.

The Techsurvey 2026 reveal promises a detailed look at how loyal listeners are adapting to an increasingly competitive and fragmented media environment. It also explores new questions on local and street visibility, concert attendance, updated in-car dashboard access/usage, specifically Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and preferred podcast services.

This year’s study will also continue to trend on key variables: media device ownership and media usage, including on-demand media, push notifications, and online newsletters—by generations, by gender, and by format.

Techsurvey 2026 is presented in partnership with Inside Radio and is sponsored by Quu. Register for the Techsurvey 2026 Webinar HERE.