News/talk radio remained the most-listened-to radio format during the third quarter of 2026. Nielsen data shows the format continues to attract older audiences and dominate AM/FM station streaming.
What We Know: News/talk radio held its position as the leading radio format in Q3 2026, according to Edison Research‘s latest Share of Ear report. The format led all others in total radio listening among adults 18 and older. Moreover, its performance strengthened considerably among older listeners, while its streaming audience demonstrated an even greater preference for spoken-word programming. The findings include both over-the-air listening and AM/FM station streams.
What The Numbers Show: News/talk captured a 10.2% share of total radio listening among adults 18 and older. That figure climbed to 11.5% among listeners 35 and older. Meanwhile, news/talk accounted for 22.1% of all AM/FM station streaming among adults 18 and older. Among the 35+ demographic, that figure increased to 24.2%. All Sports earned a 4.5% share of total listening among adults 18 and older, while All News recorded 2.7%.
What Remains Unclear: The quarterly findings don’t detail individual news/talk stations or networks. Additionally, they don’t identify how much of the format’s listening came from specific programs or personalities.
What It Means: News/talk’s continued leadership reinforces its importance to radio operators and advertisers. Although music formats remain competitive, spoken-word programming commands a substantial portion of listening. Furthermore, the format’s streaming performance suggests its audience increasingly follows stations beyond traditional broadcast signals.
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