Do young people listen to Radio anymore

Dj mr fresh · Saturday at 12:34 AM

Do young people listen to the radio anymore

TheBigA · Saturday at 12:45 AM

Dj mr fresh said:
Do young people listen to the radio anymore

What age is "young" to you?

In the United States, radio remains a strong medium for younger audiences, with significant daily and weekly listening among people under 35.

Key statistics:

55% of Gen Z (ages 13–24) in the U.S. listen to AM/FM radio every day Musical Pursuits.

89% of Gen Z listen to radio weekly, with the majority using traditional AM/FM receivers rather than streaming Musical Pursuits.

48% of adults under 35 in the U.S. use podcasts, and 22% of them also listen to radio weekly wifitalents.com.

While streaming dominates for many younger listeners, radio’s role in daily commutes, car listening, and music discovery remains strong, especially in the 18–34 age group Musical Pursuits.

pattywells · Saturday at 8:57 AM

TLDR: Yes, young people still listen to the radio. This is especially true for lower income and rural populations. And like older populations, most listening by young people is done in the car.

CTListener · Saturday at 9:12 AM

pattywells said:
TLDR: Yes, young people still listen to the radio. This is especially true for lower income and rural populations.

That ought to drive off even more advertisers.

TheM1ghtyBear · Saturday at 11:06 AM

Dj mr fresh said:
Do young people listen to the radio anymore

I’m 20, and I’m one of the few that actually still listens to radio. Majority of the people that I know have migrated over to Spotify.

ted chittenden · Saturday at 11:22 AM

CTListener said:
That ought to drive off even more advertisers.

I'm reading your response and remembering a marketing class I took in 1984 at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles). The professor, a Dr. Jim Bowie (now deceased) read to the class several statistics showing how many people were on Social Security and programs designed by the FDR and LBJ federal administrations to serve the poor. Then he turned to the class and asked us point blank, "Should businesses advertise to these people." Most (including yours truly) shook our heads. As one class member said aloud, "These people have no money so why should we advertise to them." To which Dr. Bowie responded, "You're wrong! These people do have money. Maybe not a lot, but they are getting some income off of which they can live from the Federal (and sometimes state) governments which they use to live their lives as best as they can. You can advertise a lot of things to those people, especially basic amenities, and they will purchase them."

Dr. Bowie's lesson is one I have never forgotten.

pumpin73 · Sunday at 7:29 PM

TheBigA said:
What age is "young" to you?

I am sorry, but I have a really hard time believing these "statistics." They MAY listen for background noise, but not to find new music. There are too many other options out there. These aren't the days where the radio was the "go to" for the latest music trends. That ship has sailed. The medium is dying whether some of us want to admit it or not.

TheBigA · Sunday at 7:40 PM

pumpin73 said:
I am sorry, but I have a really hard time believing these "statistics." They MAY listen for background noise, but not to find new music. There are too many other options out there. These aren't the days where the radio was the "go to" for the latest music trends. That ship has sailed. The medium is dying whether some of us want to admit it or not.

Not all young people are interested in finding new music. We have some under 35 on this board who like classic rock. Also keep in mind that not all people under 25 have access to the internet or online music resources. Children under 18 must have a parent sign TOS agreements.

But sure, there are lots of options for people who are interested in the latest music trends. Radio companies aren't in the music business and don't benefit by improving new music sales. There was a time when radio companies also owned record labels. Not anymore. Radio companies are focusing on the content they own and create, which isn't music.

One other thing to keep in mind is those statistics include non-commercial stations, some of which are staffed by college students. The percentage of new music is likely higher on those stations than on typical commercial stations. Radio is not all one thing.