The latest JNLR/Ipsos survey reveals that 3.5 million people tune into radio each weekday, the highest audience ever.

The latest JNLR/Ipsos survey reveals that radio is enjoying its largest audience ever, with 3.5 million people tuning in each weekday — an increase of 57,000 listeners compared to the same period last year. The survey also shows that the 9:00 to 9:15 a.m. slot attracts the largest audience of the day, with 1.65 million listeners — 35% of the entire adult population.

While population increases have contributed to audience growth, radio’s average weekday audience has largely risen in line with overall population growth. Currently, 79% of adults listen to radio each weekday; 10 years ago, this figure was 84%.

Among the younger 15–24 age group, an explosion of media choices has meant that the percentage tuning in to live radio each weekday has declined over the past 10 years. However, despite intense competition, a hugely impressive 63% of 15–24-year-oldscurrently listen to live radio at some point during the day every weekday. A population increase in this age group also means that 686,000 15–24-year-olds now tune in to radio each weekday — the highest number ever recorded.

Other key results from the latest JNLR/Ipsos survey include:

·      90% of all adults and 85% of 15–34-year-olds listen to radio every week.

·      68% of 15–34-year-olds listen to radio each weekday.

·      79% of ABC1 adults listen to radio each weekday, while the figure for the main shopper is 81%.

·      Listening to local and regional radio remains very strong, with over 2.3 million adults tuning into their local or regional station every weekday.

·      74% of Dublin adults listen each weekday. The figures for other regions are: Rest of Leinster – 78%, Munster – 84%, Connacht/Ulster – 84%.

·      The Irish Audio Report, published in November last year and measuring all forms of audio listening, revealed that 97% of adults listen to audio content every week. Live radio dominates audio listening with a 76% share of total audio listening, followed by music streaming (12%), YouTube Music (6%), and podcasts (3%).

·      In terms of how people listen, 12% of all radio listening is now via a connected device, with 7% through a smart speaker and 3% via a mobile device.

·      For the younger 15–34 age group, 19% of all radio listening is now via a connected device, with smart speakers accounting for 7.5% and mobile devices for 7.4% of their total radio listening.

Source: JNLR/Ipsos 2025-2 (July 2024 to June 2025), JNLR/Ipsos 2024-2 Audio Module (Apr’24 – Jun ’24 3 month data)