ARN has just released research revealing the negative mood of the nation.

The latest Australia Unplugged edition, which polled nearly one thousand everyday Aussies, found that almost 2 in 3 people (64%) lack confidence that the Australian economy will improve this year, conversely the same number are confident that it will indeed crash and burn (63%).

In addition, 82% of respondents believe interest rates will continue to rise, which is sure to add to their existing low mood, but pleasingly over half (59%), agree that their employer “will look after them during this time.”  

“Tired, numb, stressed and (m)eh” were the words used to characterise how they were feeling about the year which in part could explain the record level of audience engagement with breakfast radio which is up 19% to more than 3.3 million compared to 2.8 million a year ago.

According to ARN’s Chief Content Officer, Duncan Campbell, “In tough times we know people like to escape and we see the use of music radio increase as we are now – whether it be to stations like WSFM to hear the songs they know and love from better times, to the fun of Kyle & Jackie O on KIIS 1065.  

“Music radio is one way people escape the day-to-day impact of these tough economic times. Our talent know and understand that, and the content on-air reflects the desire of the audience for content that is light and provides relief from the financial stress being felt throughout the community.”

ARN contends that it’s proven that people turn to radio as a source of light-hearted entertainment and the emotional benefit of this engagement transfers to the brands that advertise in these positive environments. 31% of people choose to listen to audio because “it brightens their day” compared with just 24% and 15% respectively for video and social media.

The role that radio plays, as a trusted, reliable companion, particularly when we’re down in the dumps, is reinforced by the timely increase in audience volumes year on year.

The results from GFK Metro Radio Survey 1 revealed a 12.7% year on year increase in the number of Australians listening to ARN, a number outstripped at the time of day when people are feeling most exhausted on the way home from work, as drive time listenership increased by 16.2% to over 2.8 million people.