German radio audience stays strong in 2026 as DAB+ digital listening rises

German radio audience DAB+ digital radio ARD MEDIA MDR reach Berlin rbb market share

The latest ma 2026 Audio II analysis shows that audio media remain a daily staple for millions of Germans. Nationwide, radio reaches 74.1 % of the population, equating to 26.1 million daily listeners. ARD MEDIA’s combined radio and podcast offerings continue to dominate, with new products such as ARD MEDIA Pop+Pod and the Morningshow‑Kombi expanding the portfolio.

Regional data highlight robust performance across public broadcasters. The Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) reaches 2.8 million people daily (39.5 % of those aged 14+ in Saxony, Saxony‑Anhalt and Thuringia). In Bavaria, the Bayern Funkpaket serves about 2.4 million listeners each day, with a 76.7 % reach and DAB+ adoption at 42.6 % – well above the national 35.6 % average. Antenne Bayern reports 2.2 million daily listeners, confirming its strong market position.

Digital radio is gaining ground. In Bavaria, more people now listen via DAB+, web radio, cable or satellite (48.1 %) than via FM (45.2 %). Nationwide, 34.5 % of the population uses DAB+ in the widest reach metric, up from 32.9 % the previous year. The ARD‑regional stations are expanding DAB+ infrastructure, aiming for 192 transmitter sites by the end of 2026.

In Berlin and Brandenburg, rbb’s radio network retains market leadership with a 31.8 % share, while radioeins holds the top spot in Berlin at 11.2 %. These figures underscore the continued relevance of public‑service radio amid a shift toward digital distribution.