In an era dominated by digital content, spoken word audio has emerged as a powerhouse, achieving new pinnacles in audience reach and share in the United States. The recently unveiled Spoken Word Audio Report 2023, a collaboration between NPR and Edison Research, sheds light on the unprecedented growth and evolving trends in this dynamic landscape.
Record Audience Size and Listening Time
The report's standout revelation is that almost half of the U.S. population aged 13 and above, a staggering 135 million individuals, engage with some form of spoken word audio daily. This marks a notable 2% uptick from the previous year. Moreover, spoken word audio now commands a significant 31% of daily audio time, experiencing a remarkable 55% surge over the past nine years.
Home: The Epicenter of Spoken Word Audio
A seismic shift is observed in the listening locations, with a substantial 60% of daily spoken word audio consumption transpiring at home. Daily listening time at home has surged from 27 to 41 minutes since 2014, underlining the pivotal role of the home environment in the spoken word audio experience.
In-Car Dynamics and the Mobile Triumph
While in-car listening has seen a decline to 24%, AM/FM radio retains its stronghold, constituting 62% of spoken word audio consumption in the car. A significant milestone is reached as mobile devices claim the lion's share for the first time, comprising 39% of daily spoken word audio consumption, outpacing AM/FM radio receivers.
The Podcasting Renaissance
Podcasts emerge as the undisputed star, capturing a robust 36% of spoken word audio time. Notably, 28% of this podcast listening time is devoted to NPR/public radio. At home, a striking 40% of spoken-word audio consumption is attributed to podcasts, highlighting their increasing significance in the audio landscape.
This surge in spoken word audio not only reflects changing consumption patterns but also presents a powerful opportunity for brands seeking to connect with and expand their audience. The cultural shift towards digital platforms, particularly podcasting, mirrors the evolving landscape of audio consumption.
As Lamar Johnson, NPM VP of Sponsorship Marketing, rightly points out, "Each year we keep a close eye on the number of people who are listening and the amount of time spent with Spoken Word Audio. We’re happy to see that for 2023, more people than ever are listening and they are spending even more time with Spoken Word, providing a powerful opportunity for brands looking to expand and engage their audience."
Megan Lazovick, VP at Edison Research, emphasizes the growing influence of podcasting, stating, "Podcasting now accounts for over one-third of the time spent with spoken word audio. The cultural shift to digital certainly benefits this space, or perhaps, it’s vice versa - the growing enthusiasm for podcasting is shifting the culture digital. Either way - podcast listening continues to grow."
In conclusion, the Spoken Word Audio Report 2023 underscores the immense potential of spoken word audio in capturing diverse audiences and suggests a paradigm shift in the way we consume audio content. For a comprehensive exploration of the report's findings, visit npr.org/spokenwordaudio.
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