Declining listening to terrestrial FM and DAB+ radio.
The Online Audio Monitor 2025 survey shows that online audio is firmly entrenched in everyday life. Web radio is still a solid anchor in audio consumption: 39 million people (56%) regularly listen to linear radio content online. Smart TV has become the second most important platform for online audio content after the smartphone.
When it comes to platforms, Spotify is the undisputed leader among people under 30, while YouTube continues to grow in importance for podcasts and audiobooks. 24 million people listen to podcasts, preferably on politics and society. Ahead of the 2025 federal elections, more than half used podcasts as a supplementary information medium.
Acceptance of AI voices or pure AI formats is low, but support functions such as translations are met with greater approval. Those who have already had contact with AI audio rate their use much more positively.
People listen mostly at home and prefer to listen "on the road" when they are on the road: almost 32 million people (45%) listen to online audio, especially radio, while driving. Online audio is more relevant than ever. The results impressively demonstrate the central role of web radio in the digital audio market: Whether at home, on the road or in the car - radio content is also a familiar and reliable companion online in all age groups and regions, says VAUNET board member Marco Maier.
Note: VAUNET is the national association of commercial radio companies.
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