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Radio Resources

• Commonly used terms
• Radio facts and figures
• Guide to radio station formats
• Number of stations by format
• Number of radio stations by state
• Top 100 radio markets
• Events in 2010
• Tips for spokespeople

Radio Facts and Figures

• Radio reaches more than 90% of people 12 and older weekly
• Radio has a higher penetration than television, magazines, newspapers or the Internet
• Radio reaches more than 236 million persons aged 12 and older over the course of a typical week
• Most radio listening takes place out-of home except during evenings
• News, News-Talk and Talk collectively are now the #1 most listened to formats based on total number of listeners in the U.S.
• An estimated 53 million consumers tune in to news and talk stations each week
• More than 14,000 radio stations registered with the FCC in the United States

  Compiled from Arbitron’s “Radio Today 2009” report and the National Association of Broadcasters

Radio Listenership Figures and Trends

Although radio advertising revenue may be suffering during this economic downturn, listening to the radio continues to be part of Americans' daily life, according to results of a nationwide telephone survey from American Media Services in 2008.  This survey shows radio listenership remains consistently strong. The study found:

• Four out of five (80 percent) say they usually turn on the radio when they get into their car; and
• Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) said they are listening to the radio as much or more than they did five years ago.

In fact, according to Arbitron, the big picture for radio overall is its remarkable, enduring reach. 

• Despite availability of numerous media alternatives, radio’s weekly reach has declined only modestly in the past several years, from 94.9% in Spring 2001, when the iPod was first introduced, to 91% in Fall 2008
• Contrary to erroneous perceptions that “teens don’t listen to the radio anymore,” the fact is that teen listening among boys declined just 0.6% from Spring 2007 to Fall 2008, while tune-in among teen girls was down just 1.8%.

Information compiled in January 2010

Effectiveness of Radio

• Mobile medium
• Captive audience
• Highly Targetable
• Great source of news information for listeners

Radio Information and Organizations

1. National Association of Broadcasters, visit www.nab.org
2. Arbitron, visit www.arbitron.com
3. Radio-Television News Directors Association, visit www.rtndf.org
4. Radio Heard Here, visit www.radioheardhere.com