We’re celebrating National Radio Day by looking at how radio has evolved into something bigger, better, and more connected than ever. Radio today is in your headphones, on your kitchen counter, with you on your walk, and still keeping you company on the drive. It is there when you want it, with the voices you know, wherever you are. Always ready to connect, entertain, and inform.

Radio has become a multi-platform experience that fits seamlessly into daily life. It is no longer tied to a single device or a fixed broadcast schedule. You can start your morning in the car, pick up where you left off on your earbuds during the walk to work, stream it on a smart speaker while making dinner, or catch up later with on-demand replays. It is a soundtrack, a habit, and a companion, the quick laugh from a morning host that brightens your day, the live sports call that lifts your spirits after a near win, the breaking news alert that keeps you informed, and the live DJ mix show that pushes you through the last mile of your run. Wherever you go, radio moves with you and moves into your life. 

Within radio, streaming listening has nearly doubled in the past decade¹,  fueled by the freedom to listen anywhere, even far beyond your home market. Want to hear a Pittsburgh Pirates game while living in New York? Easy. Modern radio follows the fan, not just the signal.

The shift shows up in the data too:

The magic of radio has always been its connection. That moment when a host says exactly what you were thinking, or a song instantly changes your mood, matters more than ever. What has changed is how easy it is to find that connection. Whether live, on-demand, in-person, or online, listeners are simply thinking, I want to hear who and what I love.

Sports fans know this well, and no station embodies that connection better than Audacy New York’s WFAN. WFAN didn’t just join the sports talk movement — it created it — becoming the first radio station in history to broadcast sports talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From there, it expanded to FM, streaming, and smart speakers, then onto TV through the SNY network. It connects with fans at in-person events and has embraced new platforms like Twitch, bringing the conversation into even more spaces where fans spend their time.

WFAN is now the #1 streaming station in the country², with an audience that rivals and often surpasses many over-the-air stations. Its evolution shows that when the content is compelling, the platform only multiplies the ways listeners can engage.

Radio’s greatest strength is its personalities — trusted voices that curate what matters, spark conversation, and inspire action in their local communities. Our research shows listeners are twice as likely to agree, “The more connected I feel to the hosts, the more I tend to listen³.” That trust makes radio one of the most influential media environments, and why talent endorsements deliver impact. Today’s hosts are live in the studio, streaming on your phone, posting on social, engaging at local events, and staying active in their communities, evolving with every platform while keeping connection at the center.

One of our premier legal clients, ROI360+’s Gary Sarner recently echoed the power of radio’s talented hosts during Audacy’s latest Insights webinar. “The power of radio is the talent that makes a difference in somebody’s life in some way, shape or form,” shared Sarner. “[With radio] you get to be so authentic with the messaging. No other medium does [this] better than radio.”

This evolution is good for listeners, but it’s also a powerful opportunity for advertisers. Streaming radio delivers 60 percent more ad-supported listening than Spotify and more than any other streaming music platform⁴.

When advertisers show up where listeners already are – live, online, and in their daily routines – they reach audiences who are engaged, loyal, and ready to respond.

Radio’s strength is its ability to meet listeners on their own terms. Every generation has its own habits and go-to devices, and radio adapts to each of them. Whether it is Gen Z streaming on connected TVs, Gen X listening through computers, or Boomers tuning in on mobile, the experience feels personal and convenient. This flexibility is why radio continues to thrive in a world where media consumption is constantly shifting.

No matter the device or the generation, radio finds a way to fit into listeners’ lives. This is why radio remains one of the most loved, most used media habits around. It’s accessible, familiar, and part of our daily rhythm.

The story is one of growth and expansion, connecting people to news, music, sports, and culture. Listeners use different devices, and they continue to tune in. Digital platforms have extended radio’s reach and deepened its impact, bringing in new audiences while keeping long-time listeners engaged.

Today, radio is more than a broadcast. It is a ritual you return to, an event you anticipate, a conversation you join, and a companion that moves through life with you. Live, on-demand, in-person, and online, it is ready when you are, wherever you are. Over a century of connection, and we’re just getting started.