Some areas rely solely on AM/FM radio receivers as a form of information. From local news to weather to events, do you listen to your local radio stations to get that information? You hear from people all of the time that say they did not know about that event or no one advertised that event. You may miss that post on social media. Local radio is here to give you the information you need daily. Stations do provide national news but they focus on local news and what is going on locally for our community. We understand that you want to listen to music only sometimes when you tune into your car radio or even stream your device, but are you hearing that there is a wreck down the road and you need to take an alternate route; what about the parade going down Washington Street today? Weather alerts on local radio stations are a lifesaver to many.
As noted from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Congress is considering the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. New data shows traditional radio remains a lifeline in rural America, even as mobile devices dominate the audio landscape nationwide.
Edison Research’s Share of Ear Q2 2025 survey found that in urban areas, adults 13 and older spend 40% of their daily audio time on mobile devices, compared to 28% on AM/FM receivers. Suburban listeners split more evenly, with 36% on mobile and 30% on radio.
Rural audiences tell a different story. Mobile devices account for 34% of listening time—exactly the same share as AM/FM.
That balance underscores radio’s role as more than entertainment. In areas where broadband and cell coverage lag, radio requires no data plan, it works in emergencies, and delivers local news that national platforms often miss.
Groups from the American Farm Bureau Federation to AARP say those qualities make AM radio essential. “Older adults are also overrepresented in rural areas where wireless and broadband connections are limited or nonexistent,” said Bill Sweeney, AARP’s senior vice president of government affairs. “AM radio connects millions of older rural residents to their communities through targeted programming, including the latest local news and weather.”
For many, local stations still provide farm reports, high school sports, church services, and community updates alongside music and talk shows—reinforcing radio’s place as a practical and cultural mainstay.
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