Nielsen: News/Talk Top Radio Format in Q3 of 2026
Nielsen publishes its quarterly report card on how “U.S. consumers spend their listening day” (using data from Nielsen and Edison Research) and concludes that “83% of all daily ad-supported audio time goes to radio and podcasts, while only 15% goes to streaming music services.” The Q3 2026 report also 
addresses listening by radio format and again this quarter news/talk remains the number one format, with a 10.2% share of total radio listening among P18+. “It is even stronger with older listeners, at 11.5% among P35+. Sports captured 4.5% of total radio listening among P18+ and 4.6% among P25-54, as football season kicked off and baseball headed into its pennant races. All-news held a 2.7% share among P18+ and 3.0% among P35+.” Spoken word radio stations dominated streaming listening. “News/talk, sports and all-news together account for about 36% of station streaming among P18+, roughly double their 17% share of all radio listening. News/talk takes 22.1% of AM/FM station streaming among P18+, more than twice its share of total radio. That rises to 24.2% among P35+. Sports is the No. 1 streamed format among P25-54, at 13.0%, and takes 10.3% of station streaming among P18+.” See more about the report here.
the U.S. and Global Multi-Channel rankings. For the U.S., this includes iHeart Audience Network seeing a 12% increase in audience; iHeart Podcasts – 10% increase in audience; Fox Audio Network – 9% increase in audience; and NPR Sales Network – 9% increase in audience. In the Global Multi-Channel Publisher & Network Ranking, FOX Audio Network saw an 18% increase in downloads, views and plays; PRX – 18% increase in downloads, views and plays; and iHeart Audience Network – 3% increase in downloads, views and plays.
Miami and WQBA-AM, Miami (both 50,000 watts Class B signals) from Latino Media Network for $1.8 million. The stations were acquired by Latino Media Network as part of a 2022 $60 million deal with TelevisaUnivision. These will be Newsmax’s first radio properties. There has been no official statement from Newsmax about its plans for the stations.
This is not about politics. This is about change, and listening to listeners.
forward, that reality should shape the work of the FCC. We ought to be focused on lowering costs, protecting consumers, and ensuring every family can get online. I stand ready to work with members of Congress from both parties to restore a fully staffed, bipartisan Commission as Congress intended. We must rebuild public trust in the FCC by returning the public interest standard to its original meaning as an obligation to communities rather than a tool for political pressure. That means defending the First Amendment and a free press from government interference, advancing competitive innovation that smartly protects our communications networks, and delivering real results for consumers.”
Talk hosts keep hearing that podcasting has turned into a video business: put cameras in the studio or get left behind. The newest audience numbers say something more useful. The people who consume podcasts every week now do both, and the shows they follow have to work with the screen on and with the screen off.
EVP Rose Anderson says, “Every year, we work with our Advisory Board – all industry thought leaders – to make sure that our categories recognize the innovative audio storytelling being created today and reflect our commitment to the power of the individual voice. Their collective wealth of hands-on knowledge, their commitment to excellence and the proven mastery of their craft in the world of sound shows how robust the world of radio is today – and we gain a 360-degree perspective into our ever-changing and interconnected world. The insights into the paths to the future from this international brain trust ensures that NYF’s Radio Awards will continue to honor world-wide excellence across all platforms.” Americans serving on the Grand Jury include: Rory Belfi, vice president, Talk Programming, SiriusXM; Marcella Boehler, associate producer, The Outlaw Ocean Project; Jennie Cataldo, owner & producer, Accompany Studios; Joni Deutsch, SVP of Marketing & Audience Development, The Podglomerate; Valerie Geller, president, Geller Media International; Or Matza, co-founder & creative director, Audio Drama Studios; and Mark Travis, director, Media Production, New York Philharmonic. 
families in need. Last year’s drive raised more than $265,000 and this year’s goal is to feed 75,000 people coast to coast. Erickson says, “Last year our listeners put food on the table for thousands of families, and that generosity still moves me. This isn’t about politics; it’s about compassion, faith, and stepping up for our neighbors. We’re launching this year’s Hungry For A Day drive to do it again and with this audience, I know we will. Hungry For A Day makes it seamless; our listeners make it extraordinary.”
In the nearly four decades that I have been publishing TALKERS, I’m consistently asked by reporters who cover media and politics, “Now that the election is over, what is talk radio going to have to talk about?” This inquiry is based on the false – but widely held assumption – that “talk radio” is a one-trick pony. Drives me nuts.
director. Stigall hosted a show on KCMO, Kansas City in the past. Most recently, Stigall hosted his eponymous talk show syndicated by Salem Radio Network. He gave up his radio show to run for office. KCTV-TV reports, “Stigall campaigned heavily on securing Missouri a seat on the House Agriculture Committee, noting the state currently has no members on it. District 6 includes more than 27,000 farms and drives a large share of the state’s agricultural economy. Stigall said a committee seat would help provide stability for farmers and support passage of a new Farm Bill. He has also called for cutting regulatory ‘red tape’ to make it easier for rural hospitals and health care providers to operate.” 
At 8:15 am, a radio host plays part of a television interview and explains why the guest’s answer deserves scrutiny. By noon, another program has clipped that host’s commentary and is taking it apart. The first use feels like doing the job. The second can feel like somebody helping themselves to your work, especially when they sell advertising around it.
the continued strength of our Digital Advertising platform. Third quarter net revenue of $110.9 million increased 3.9% year-over-year and exceeded our guidance range, Adjusted EBITDA of $22.6 million increased 2.7% year-over-year and was within our guidance range, and net loss narrowed by $1.5 million year-over-year to $4.0 million. These results were driven by the growth of Townsquare Ignite, our Digital Advertising business, and by political revenue that is tracking ahead of our expectations. Digital Advertising net revenue grew 12.7% year-over-year, accelerating for the third consecutive quarter, led by programmatic revenue growth of 22.5%. Our Media Partnerships business now serves 18 partners and extends our digital programmatic advertising platform to 122 markets across the United States, and we expect Media Partnerships revenue to more than double in 2026. In addition, Townsquare Interactive delivered strong profitability, with Segment Profit margins of 36% in Q3, as we rebuild and grow our sales team.”
Wilson continues, “At the same time, we want to be candid about the challenges we face. Our local clients continue to feel pressure from higher operating costs and interest rates, and they are scrutinizing every marketing dollar, particularly those spent on traditional media. Excluding political, Broadcast Advertising net revenue declined 5.2% in the third quarter. We expect those declines to deepen in the fourth quarter, partly as political advertising crowds out other inventory. In addition, while Townsquare Interactive’s profit remains strong, lower-than-anticipated sales velocity means it will not return to sequential revenue growth in Q4 2026 as we had projected.”
around the Veterans Day holiday. O’Connor tells TALKERS the program features extraordinary stories from wounded veterans, military families, and the people who help them through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. “These are compelling, deeply personal conversations about service, sacrifice, recovery, and the remarkable work Fisher House does for our military families. This is professionally produced, ready-to-air Veterans Day programming that you can offer your listeners at absolutely no cost.” 
listeners, but the most trusted expert voices tend to drive the most conversion. According to data from Audacy’s own Power of Influencers Study (2026), podcast listeners are 27% more likely to be influenced by topic experts than well-known celebrities. The blog notes, “The brands winning in podcast advertising right now aren’t all sponsoring the biggest names. They’re finding the mid-sized shows. The shows where listeners have been there since episode 12, and where a host recommendation lands more like a text from a friend who actually tried it. Meet the “midfluencer.” No celebrity status or massive profile. Just a deeply loyal audience who listens. It turns out the shows with the tightest communities drive better conversions.” 
It’s budget season. Your clients are planning next year’s spending right now, and your rates should be set before they do, not after.
On the list of imagined crimes committed by the act of consolidation upon the radio industry is the myth that it killed the “farm team” for emerging talent. There never was a farm team.
Talk 2.” KAOX-FM talk host Neal Larson announced the change on his program last Friday (10/30). The station is airing syndicated programming including Premiere Networks shows “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show,” “The Jesse Kelly Show,” “The Michael Berry Show,” plus FOX News Radio’s “Brian Kilmeade Show.”