Ofcom has published research looking at how people in the UK listen to different content and platforms. The findings are based on the media regulator’s 2025 annual Audio and Podcast Surveys, in which it ask people about their use of and attitudes towards different types of audio.

The research highlights a range of findings:

Podcasts popular among younger listeners

Over a fifth of adults listen to podcasts each week, with reach higher among younger people and those in higher income households.

Those that do listen to podcasts each week are more likely to be younger (28 per cent of 25-34s and 30 per cent of 35-44s listen weekly), and in higher-income households (30 per cent reach). Those between the ages of 35 and 44 are the most likely to listen to podcasts, with 15-24s less likely to listen (24 per cent) and those aged 65 and over the least likely of any group (12 per cent).

Although people use a range of devices, smartphones are the most frequently used device for podcast listening. The average podcast listener listens to five podcasts each week, with entertainment, news and current affairs, comedy and discussion shows remaining the most popular subjects.

Radio listeners still favour their radio sets

While there’s been a continued rise in radio listening on smart speakers and online, the radio set remains the most common way to listen to the radio.

However, listeners’ choice of device depends on where they are and the devices they have access to. For example, smart speakers account for a much higher proportion of listening at home (26 per cent) compared to the average across all locations (18 per cent) while laptops, smartphones and other online devices account for a higher proportion of listening at work and elsewhere (18 per cent vs 11 per cent average).

Live radio accounts for the largest share of listening through smart speakers 

Looking at what people are listening to on smart speakers, online live radio retains the greatest share, accounting for just over half of time spent listening (55 per cent). This is similar to last year’s findings.

Streamed music is the next most popular choice, accounting for over a third of audio time on smart speakers each week.

Meanwhile, three in five smart speaker users say their device has played the wrong thing when asked to play a particular radio station.

Online music services now match music radio for listeners

The number of people listening to online music services each week is now on a par with those listening to music radio, at around six in ten adults. Younger people are more than twice as likely to listen to music streaming services compared to those aged 55+.

Meanwhile, over seven in ten (71 per cent) of people who use a voice assistant use it to listen to both radio stations and other types of audio, such as music streaming or podcasts. Smart speakers are the most widely used device for voice assistants, and over half of voice assistant users (54 per cent) that listen to radio make their voice requests using a smart speaker, compared to just one in five (20 per cent) using a smartphone.

Older listeners more likely to favour physical formats

Eight in ten (78 per cent) people aged 55+ have listened to their personal collection on CD, vinyl and cassette, compared to just over half of 16-34-year-olds (54 per cent), though weekly listening is more balanced, at 29 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

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Categories: Articles, Consumer Behaviour, Digital Radio, Research

Tags: Ofcom, podcast, radio