Radio listening data from Europe and the US

Radio listening data from Europe and the US

Author: James Cridland July 19, 2026 Duration: 10:31

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  • The EBU released its Radio Trends Report 2026. Weekly reach across Europe is 81.3%, down 2.7% from five years ago. As above - time spent listening is 2h 10m per day - down 15 minutes on 5 years ago (and down 50 minutes from 20 years ago).
  • Nielsen released its Podcast Listen & Watch Report, though there’s information in there for radio as well. Particularly, it quotes Edison Research’s Share of Ear for Q1, which sys that 20% of time spent with ad-supported audio is podcasting: radio is more than three-times larger.
  • In Australia, Kyle Sandilands will start his paid-for live online show on August 10. It will cost AUD $99 for the year (£51, US$69) - listeners won’t be able to buy monthly. Game Changers Radio seems to think it will be easy to get 10,000 listeners paying that. Sandilands has said he needs 50,000 to “cover costs”. Prior to his sacking, his show had 1.1 million listeners, 96,000 of those online; he had 291,000 listeners to the podcast too. I’m fascinated to watch this.

For anyone curious about where the world of radio is heading next, Radioland, with James Cridland-radio futurologist offers a clear-eyed and informed perspective. This isn't just industry gossip; it's a thoughtful analysis of the forces reshaping audio. James Cridland, working as a consultant and writer at the intersection of radio and new technology, sifts through the noise to bring you the most significant developments. In each episode, you'll hear a concise breakdown of emerging platforms, shifting listener habits, and the business models that are succeeding or failing. The discussion is global in scope, looking beyond any single market to understand the broader trends affecting broadcasters and audio creators everywhere. Tuning into this podcast provides a unique advantage: it's like having a knowledgeable guide explain not just what is changing, but why it matters and what might come next. The analysis is grounded in real-world observation, offering practical insight for professionals in the business and intrigued enthusiasts alike. You can find more from James, including his newsletter, through his personal website. Radioland is your regular briefing on the evolution of an enduring medium, delivered with authority and a focus on the future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Radioland, with James Cridland - radio futurologist
Podcast Episodes
Radiodays Asia, and could TV's switchoff put radio at risk? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:12
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.I’ll be on RRI in Indonesia a little later this week: the station was founded on 11 September 1945, so it’s celebrating its 81st anniversary this week. The broadc…
Streaming music overtakes AM/FM radio in the US [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:18
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.“Radio is still where people go to discover music”, we keep hearing. New data from Edison Research shows that, actually, streaming music services now reach more A…
Kyle's first online show 'a disaster' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:31
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Kyle Sandilands went on-air this morning with his paid-for show. It looked to be a bit of a technical mess; his most chummy media partner called it chaotic, and d…
The MFWs, a new BBC station, and more from Canada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:15
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Hell has no fury like an MFW - Duncan Campbell, former content director of ARN, writes about the pressure group Mad Fudging Witches. “Make no mistake about it, Al…
AI gets a number 1 song [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:54
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Links and much more to read at https://radioland.email
Linear audio vs ondemand audio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:43
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Data from Edison Research makes me question what radio is marketing for.
BBC Radio 4 long-wave closes down [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:31
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.More at https://james.cridland.net/blog/2026/radio-4-longwave-closes/