The third annual Infinite Dial Australia study was undertaken in the first quarter of 2019, sponsored by Commercial Radio & Audio, Southern Cross Austereo and Triton Digital.

Now in its third year, the study explores the penetration of online digital audio and social media in Australia, as well as the online platforms and technologies that Australians are using.

2019 key findings:

• Radio remains the leading audio platform consumed by Australians: 83% of people having listened to an AM/FM/DAB+ station in the last week, compared to 34% who confirmed that they listened to Spotify and 8% to Apple Music


• Radio dominates listening in the car with 85% of people (aged 18+) having listened to AM/FM/DAB+ radio in the car in the last month, more than three times the number of people who listen to online audio streaming services music in car (26%)


• Listening over-the-air is still the most popular way to listen to AM/FM/DAB+ stations with 81% of Australians having listened via this platform; followed by 10% via online listening


• After its launch just over two years ago, awareness of RadioApp – the Australian radio industry’s free mobile listening app – has increased to 19% (up from 15% in 2018), compared to the long established Tunein at 20% and iHeartRadio at 40%


• Awareness of podcasting grew to 83% (up from 78% in 2018) with the home being the most popular place of listening. Nearly one third (30%) of Australians have ever listened to a podcast, 22% confirm that they have listened in the past month and 15% in the past week. Australian weekly podcast listeners averaged six podcasts in the last week


• Smartphones are the most popular device for online audio consumption with 75% of Australians listening to online audio via their smartphone (up from 72% in 2018), followed by 34% on desktop/laptop and 18% on tablet


• Average time spent listening to online audio continues to rise. Australians now consume an average of 11 hours 6 mins of online audio, compared with 10 hours 4 mins (2018) and 9 hours and 9 mins (2017)


• Ownership of smart speakers in 2019 reached 13%, nearly three times the ownership levels in 2018 (5%). The mean number of smart speakers per Australian household is 1.4.

The Australian Infinite Dial study was conducted in February and March 2019 and uses a nationally representative survey of 1,021 people and is a random probability telephone sample, comprising both mobile phones and landlines, of all Australians aged 12+.

For more information, please email Jaime Chaux (Head of Digital) or call 02 9281 6577.

This data may not be used for, or in association with, any commercial purposes without Commercial Radio & Audio’s prior consent.