We’ve published our latest research looking at how people in the UK listen to different content and platforms. The findings are based on our 2025 annual Audio and Podcast Surveys, in which we ask people about their use of and attitudes towards different types of audio.
The research highlights a range of findings – for more detail you can take a look at the full report. And here we set out some of the things we discovered this year.
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% of 25-34s and 30% of 35-44s listen weekly), and in higher-income households (30% 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%) and those aged 65 and over the least likely of any group (12%).
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%) compared to the average across all locations (18%) while laptops, smartphones and other online devices account for a higher proportion of listening at work and elsewhere (18% vs 11% average).
But 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%). This is very 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%) 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%) that listen to radio make their voice requests using a smart speaker, compared to just one in five (20%) using a smartphone.
Older listeners more likely to favour physical formats
Eight in ten (78%) 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%), though weekly listening is more balanced, at 29% and 25% respectively.