This year’s In-Car Media portion of Edison Research’s Infinite Dial survey reveals the extent of competition for AM/FM radio in the car.
The findings note that online audio overall is at an all-time high and car audio is becoming increasingly digital, particularly with the addition of phone integration.
More phone integration in the car
Edison found that in-car radio listening returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Listener consumption in the “third space” remains as important as ever.
The in-car media portion of the Infinite Dial looks at those 18-and-older who have driven or ridden in a car in the last month. Edison Research said that 88% of respondents qualified for that mark.
The most significant takeaway is how many Americans now have access to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which allows them to project audio from their phones onto their car’s sound systems.
Forty percent of those surveyed said they have either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in their primary vehicle, up from 32% last year.
Thirty-three percent said they actively use one of the phone integration platforms: 22% use Apple CarPlay, while 13% use Android Auto.
Streaming gains ground on radio
The survey also examined which audio sources are being used in the car.
Over-the-air radio led the way with 74% saying they listen to AM/FM radio in their car.
This tracks consistently with recent years — broadcast radio reached 73% in 2023.
But online audio was not far behind at 55%. The survey defines online audio as AM/FM stations that stream and online-only audio services like Spotify, Pandora or Apple Music.
Podcasts ranked third in car usage at 31%, followed by SiriusXM and CDs, each at 24%. CarPlay usage alone came in at 22%.
Youth leads the digital shift
The report also breaks down in-car listening habits by age group.
AM/FM radio listenership climbs to 84% among those age 55 and older but drops to 54% among those ages 18—34.
Conversely, younger adults are leading the shift to online audio: 82% of the 18—34 age demographic report listening to it, compared to just 31% of those aged 55 and older.
Young adults also lead in podcast and Apple CarPlay usage behind the wheel.
Background on the Infinite Dial
Edison Research has released this report annually since 1998. It surveys digital media consumption, which includes streaming audio, podcasts, radio, smart speakers and social media.
Infinite Dial is supported by Audacy, Cumulus and SiriusXM.
The survey was conducted in January, with a panel of approximately 5,020 individuals aged 12 and older. The data was weighted to national 12-and-older U.S. population figures.
Edison Research is also well known for its quarterly Share of Ear report, which examines how Americans consume audio.
This is the first in three stories Radio World will feature with trends revealed by this year’s Infinite Dial survey. We will also analyze the trends the survey revealed for podcasts, online audio and social media.
You can view the full results of the Infinite 2025 report Dial here.
