Arbitron has released preliminary data from its RADAR 99 National Radio Listening Report, which will be unveiled next Tuesday, December 16 in its entirety. RADAR 99 found that radio currently reaches over 234 million people ages 12+ during a typical week. A year ago, RADAR 95 pegged the number at 232 million.

Since last December's RADAR 95 report, the RADAR national radio listening estimates and network radio audience reports have been based on PPM respondents from within commercialized PPM markets and on diary respondents.  The combination of PPM and diary respondents have shown more listeners to radio over the course of a week as opposed to the 2007 RADAR reports, which were based on diaries alone.

RADAR 99 found that radio reaches over 92 percent of persons 12+ and 90 percent of teenagers ages 12-17. Radio also reaches 93 percent of 18-34 year-olds.

Listening to RADAR Network Affiliate stations has also risen year over year. Over the course of a typical week, over 210 million persons ages 12+ tune to the 7,700 RADAR Network Affiliated stations, up from 206 million listeners in RADAR 94.

Arbitron's study also showed that 93 percent of Black Non-Hispanic persons and 93 percent of Hispanics as well, ages 12+, listen to radio during an average week. Radio also reaches 94 percent of both demographics, ages 18-49. Radio reaches almost 95 percent of college graduates ages 25-54, as well as 95 percent of college grads in that age group with an annual income of at least $50,000.