The seventh Infinite Dial Australia report, released today by Edison Research and sponsored by Commercial Radio & Audio, LiSTNR and Triton Digital, has shown that digital radio listening in Australia is the highest rate in the English speaking world, while AM/FM radio listening remains buoyant.
The study was conducted by Edison Research in the first quarter of 2023 in a national survey of 1,576 respondents in Australia aged 12 and over.
Findings include:
- 8 in 10 Australians 12+ listen to radio weekly
- 81% listen to digital audio monthly
- 43% listen to podcasts monthly
Around 18 million Australians, or 81% percent of the total population aged 12+, listen to digital audio monthly, up from 78% in 2022. This compares to 75% in the U.S. Digital audio listening comprises AM, FM and DAB+ radio stations listened to online, podcasts and music streaming services.
Australian podcast listening has jumped to 43% monthly up from 40% in 2022 and ahead of the U.S. for the first time. Weekly podcast listener numbers rose seven percent to 33% from 26% year on year.
Edison Research President Larry Rosin said:
“The Infinite Dial 2023 Australia study demonstrates the strong global position of the Australian audio industry, with robust engagement across different platforms, including traditional AM/FM/DAB+ radio, online radio, and podcasts. These findings underscore the industry’s ability to adapt and innovate, providing diverse and compelling audio content for listeners.”
Podcast listening is particularly strong. Approximately one in 10 Australians age 12+ listen to a podcast every day with weekly podcast listeners averaging five episodes per week.
In May’s Australian Podcast Ranker, the No 1 (LiSTNR’s the Hamish and Andy Podcast) and No 2 (Audioboom’s Casefile True Crime) ranked podcasts both exceeded one million monthly listeners for the first time. The LiSTNR podcast network had a record 8.658 million listeners.
Ford Ennals, CEO of CRA said,
“The Infinite Dial 2023 Australia study shows that Australia’s love of podcasts continues to grow. The country has become a global leader in podcast monthly listening. The growth is fuelled by the strength and breadth of Australian content and the popularity of podcasts from broadcast radio.”
Radio listening in the car has remained the top digital audio choice, with 84% of those age 18+ who have been in a car in the last month saying that they listened to radio. This is more than double the 41% who stream music in the car.
DAB+ stations have tripled their audience since 2020. In 2023, DAB+ listening soared to 7 million people a week, or 32% of people aged 12+. It was 10% in 2020.
92% of young people aged 12-34 are listening to any online audio monthly. Radio is still ahead with 76% tuning in each week, TikTok consumption has grown exponentially, in the same demographic, up to 50%.
You can watch the webinar below.