According to recent Share of Ear data from Edison Research at SSRS, mobile devices have overtaken traditional AM/FM radio receivers as the preferred means for in-car audio consumption among Americans aged 13 to 34. The study indicates that individuals in this age demographic now dedicate 46% of their daily in-car audio time to listening via mobile devices, compared to 43% using AM/FM radio receivers.

The three-point edge for mobile marks a significant turnaround from previous Share of Ear findings, which once indicated a 47-point preference for traditional radio receivers over mobile devices.

The data captures the devices employed for listening rather than the audio content sources. Edison pointed out that some mobile listening includes streams from AM/FM radio stations.

The latest data complements Edison’s earlier insight that AM/FM radio remains the predominant provider of ad-supported in-car audio time for the 13-34 age group. This new analysis expands the assessment to encompass all forms of audio listening and specifically emphasizes the devices utilized for this consumption.

Edison attributes this shift to the sustained growth of smartphones as major audio consumption devices, a trend that has now infiltrated the in-car habits of younger listeners.