Radio continues to enjoy huge listening, with many listening to more radio, listening to more stations and at different times as radio keeps people company when working from home.
As pandemic restrictions are lifted, Irish consumers are spending more on eating out, holidays and concerts [than before the pandemic] according to new research by Radiocentre Ireland, the new industry body for audio.
adults listen to the radio every day
of adults said radio keeps them company when working from home
of adults said radio lifts their mood when working from home
Some habits that are set to change for good as 1 in 3 people who currently work from home want to continue to do so. 26% of people are currently working from home and only 5% of this group want to work in the office full time in the future. There is also a strong preference for hybrid working (56%), typically 2/3 days a week in the office.
In a sample of 1,000 adults interviewed in February 2022, 9 out of 10 adults listen to the radio every day. During the pandemic, over a third of people changed their listening habits, largely due to working from home. This included listening to more radio, listening to more stations and at different times and on different platforms. Podcast listening also increased with 50% of adults saying they listen to podcasts, rising to 76% for 18-34 year olds.
Understandably, a large percentage (27%) said they listened more to news (27%), current affairs 23%) and talk shows (20%) as the pandemic unfolded. And a large portion of those surveyed said when working from home, radio helped keep them company (46%), lift their mood (28%) and even help them focus and be more productive (18%).
