Commercial radio audience climbs to 12.5 million weekly

Commercial radio now reaches 12.5 million Australians each week, according to the latest GfK Survey 5 results released by Commercial Radio & Audio. The figure is up 183,000 year on year, driven by growth in the key 25–64 demographic, which added 238,000 listeners to total 7.8 million.

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In-car listening remains the backbone of the medium, with 10.3 million Australians tuning in while driving - an increase of 248,000 on last year, meaning more than 80% of commercial radio audiences now listen on the road. A further 6.6 million listen at work and 2.1 million at home. Streaming audiences also continue to rise, reaching 3.4 million weekly as the industry invests in cross-platform distribution.

CRA chief executive Lizzie Young said the results underline the enduring power of radio.

“Australians clearly value radio’s role as a trusted travel companion. This reinforces why radio prominence in vehicles matters. Every Australian deserves instant, one-button access to the local content they love.”

Young also highlighted radio’s unique local footprint. “As Australia’s only 100 per cent locally owned mass media, we keep 12.5 million listeners connected to their communities. Every advertising dollar stays here, funding local journalism, emergency broadcasting and thousands of Australian jobs.”