Australians lead the way in tuning in to digital radio and podcasts

A new report shows Australia is leading the world in digital audio listening – that’s digital radio and podcasts to those still stuck in Analogue Land.

The report, conducted by Infinite Dial Australia and Edision Research, shows that 8 in 10 Australians aged 12+ listen to radio weekly and a big 81% listening to digital audio monthly. This figure is up from 78% in 2022 and greater than those listening to digital audio in the U.S. (where 75% listen monthly).

Almost half the people surveyed (43%) listen to podcasts monthly, while broadcast radio listening (AM/FM and DAB+) continues to be positive.

“Digital audio listening in Australia is going from strength to strength, led by booming digital radio and podcast listening and underpinned by radio’s continued resilience and popularity,” said Ford Ennals, CEO of Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), Australia.

On the podcast front, one in 12 Australians aged 12+ listen to at least one podcast every day, averaging five episodes per week, while 43% of peeps tune into a podcast at least once monthly – up from 40% in 2022 and again pushing ahead of the U.S.

“[Australia] has become a global leader in podcast monthly listening,” continues Ennals. “The growth is fuelled by the strength and breadth of Australian content and the popularity of podcasts from broadcast radio.”

While digital audio consumption is on the increase so too are sales of digital radio devices, many of these ironically designed to look like old-school analogue radios.

That said, radio listening in the car has remained the top digital audio choice, with 84% of those age 18+ who have been in a car in the last month saying that they listen to radio there. This number is up from 80% last year and more than double the 41% who stream music in the car.

To view the full results of the Infinite Dial Australia report, click here.

Antonino Tati