Randy J. Stine at Radio World breaks down the results from the TechSurvey from Jacobs Media showing the COVID-19 pandemic lowering the amount of radio listening. The 12 percent drop in radio listening in the past year is mainly due, the survey reports, to less time spent in cars. “Since COVID, listening less in the car and lifestyle changes are the top reasons people are listening less to the radio,” said Fred Jacobs, president of Jacobs Media. Many people now work from home, who did not before, and others have changed jobs or professions since the pandemic began. While some are listening to the radio less, others surveyed said they now had a stronger bond with their favorite local station. “In a strange sort of way, some radio stations have actually benefitted from COVID in terms of making that closer connection to their audience when they needed it most,” Jacobs said. Folks surveyed felt a stronger bond, mostly, to local stations. “Overall, the local piece turns out to be a very important factor here,” Jacobs says. Read more about this story at Radio World.