A change in Nielsen’s method of measuring radio audiences has led to a noticeable rise in estimated AM/FM radio listening figures in the United States.
According to analysis by Westwood One, the Spring 2025 Portable People Meter (PPM) data shows a 19% year-on-year rise in the number of people listening to AM/FM radio during an average 15-minute period. The increase spans all demographics, with Westwood One reporting growth across age and gender groups, including an 18% rise among adults aged 18–34 and 22% among adults aged 25–54.
This increase is not caused by a sudden spike in listener behaviour but by a change in how that behaviour is recorded. As of January 2025, Nielsen now includes radio tuning sessions of three minutes or more in its PPM measurement, reduced from the previous five-minute threshold. According to Nielsen, 23% of all measured tuning occasions fall within the three-to-four-minute range — previously excluded under the old rules.
You can find more information on the Nielsen three-minute qualifier modernization provided by the U.S. Radio Advertising Bureau here.
Westwood One says the change provides “a significantly more comprehensive and realistic definition of AM/FM radio’s audience and their listening behaviour.” Despite the overall rise in listening, the company notes that format share rankings remain largely unchanged, with all major formats experiencing proportional growth.
You can read the full analysis from Westwood One here.
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