Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) and Edison Research have published the Infinite Dial Australia 2025 report, revealing that commercial radio now reaches 15 million people weekly, a figure four times greater than that of ad-supported Spotify.

The report was unveiled during a webinar led by Edison Research President Larry Rosin, with participation from panellists Margie Reid, CEO of Thinkerbell, and Lauren Joyce, Chief Audience and Content Officer at ARN.

The study indicates that one in three Australians aged 25–54 stream radio weekly, marking a 6.5% increase from the previous year. Additionally, half of the Australian population engages with podcasts on a monthly basis, with 52% opting for audio or video podcast formats monthly.

Total radio remains the predominant choice for in-car audio consumption, with 84% of Australians aged 18 and above, who travelled in a car in the past month, tuning in while on the road. The report also highlights a digital shift in radio consumption, with more than one in four Australians streaming radio in their vehicles.

Smart speaker ownership is prevalent in four out of ten Australian households, reflecting a broader trend in digital audio adoption. The Infinite Dial Australia 2025 study, now in its ninth year, is modelled on Edison Research’s U.S. Infinite Dial, which is recognised as the longest-running study of digital media behaviour globally. This allows for direct comparisons across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the U.S.

The national survey involved 1,543 Australians aged 10 and above, conducted in the first quarter of 2025. It comprised 1,240 online interviews and 303 telephone interviews, with data weighted to reflect national population figures for those aged 10 and above.

Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) serves as the peak industry body representing commercial radio broadcasters in Australia. CRA is tasked with promoting the effectiveness of radio and audio to advertisers, managing audio research and insights, conducting audience measurement surveys, and overseeing the official Australian Podcast Ranker.

Edison Research, known for its global survey research, is recognised for The Infinite Dial series, the Share of Ear survey, and Edison Podcast Metrics.

CRA CEO Lizzie Young said: "With one in three Australians aged 25–54 now streaming radio weekly, up 6.5% since last year, and half of Australians consuming podcasts monthly, the message is loud and clear: audio delivers scale, impact and connection and gives audiences what they want, when they want, however they want it.

"For advertisers, audio connects brands across the entire customer journey whether it’s trusted scale for brand awareness, precision targeting, or influencing highly engaged audiences - audio's versatility makes it the most effective and essential medium in any media strategy."

Edison President Larry Rosin said: "The Infinite Dial 2025 Australia report highlights radio's strong appeal across all age groups even as so many other options proliferate. Commercial radio delivers the most reach among all audio options for Australian advertisers."