Despite the rise of Spotify and other streaming services, AM/FM radio remains the king of in-car audio. According to Edison Research's Q1 2026 data, 55% of Americans' listening time in the car is dedicated to traditional radio, while streaming accounts for only 16%.
The picture shifts slightly with younger listeners aged 13-34, where radio's share is 46% and streaming rises to 30%. However, for spoken-word content like news and talk, podcasts now have a slight edge over radio broadcasts nationwide.
The resilience of radio, especially AM, is underscored by its role in emergency alerts. Many areas rely on it when cell service fails, leading to legislative efforts like the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act to keep it in new cars.