A new study from Westwood One’s Audio Active Group shows that AM/FM Radio is still the top audio choice for owners of major car brands.
The study shows that among U.S. drivers, 59% of all audio time spent in cars is with AM/FM Radio, while 85% of ad-supported listening happens on terrestrial radio.
The numbers are broken down by auto manufacturer, with Chevrolet owners leading the way with 67% using over-the-air radio. Honda owners were at 65%, Toyota at 61%, with Hyundai, Subaru, Ford, Nissan, Jeep, and Kia owners all topping 50%.
The only car brands in the study that didn’t feature at least 50% of time spent listening to radio were BMW and Audi, which hit 41% and 39% respectively.
Over-the-air radio remains the top choice for audio consumption, with ad-free SiriusXM, owned music, and podcasts taking second through fourth places.
Results of the study come at a time when AM Radio continues to fight for survival to continue to be installed in new makes and models. Earlier this year, Ford reversed its plan to remove the AM band from its future models. Congress is expected to vote on the AM For Every Vehicle Act which would require automakers to continue placing AM radios in new models with no cost to customers.
