LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — As automakers move to strip AM/FM radio from new dashboards, a new national study shows 91% of drivers still turn to local radio first for breaking weather alerts—outpacing every digital alternative and reinforcing bipartisan efforts in Congress to protect broadcast access in cars.
Audacy’s Connected Car Study, which analyzed data through 2024, found that local radio also leads for traffic (90%) and local news (89%), topping mobile apps and social media across categories.
“As tech-forward cars evolve, audio will become more personalized, predictive, and accessible,” Reggie Shah, Audacy’s senior director of research and insights, told Radio Ink. “However, the value of local radio as a trusted source of information and entertainment remains constant.”
Emergency officials and broadcasters say the change threatens to cut off critical alerts in rural and disaster-prone areas.
Audacy also found that 66% of drivers still tune in to AM/FM radio on the road, while 44% stream live broadcasts through apps. Among drivers interested in advanced in-car technology, 73% said the ability to keep listening to radio between home and vehicle is a must-have.
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act gained over 20 new House cosponsors in May. The Senate bill already has enough support to overcome a filibuster, positioning it for possible floor debate later this summer.