A new report from Nielsen shows radio is the number-one way Americans listen to audio, far outpacing digital platforms.

The report, titled “Audio Today 2026,” finds radio reaches 93 percent of all U.S. adults each month, making it the most widely used media platform in the country.

Nielsen says radio also accounts for the majority of ad-supported audio listening, with about 61 percent of daily listening time, far ahead of podcasts and streaming services, which account for 21 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

The report highlights radio’s strength in vehicles, where more than 80 percent of ad-supported listening time still goes to AM/FM stations.

Even among younger listeners, radio remains strong, reaching nearly 9 out of 10 adults between 18 and 34.

Despite those numbers, Nielsen says many advertisers continue to underestimate radio’s effectiveness, even though it delivers some of the highest return on investment among media platforms. The report concludes that combining radio with podcasts can help advertisers reach nearly 100 percent of audiences.

A full copy of the report can be found at https://www.nielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Nielsen-2026-Audio-Today-How-America-Listens-Mar26.pdf.