Arizona Media Association + Arizona Local News Foundation

PHOENIX – A newly released study from the Arizona Media Association and Arizona Local News Foundation highlights ongoing fragmentation and diversity in how Arizonans consume media.

Produced annually in collaboration with research firm SmithGeiger, this report is the largest media behavior analysis conducted in Arizona. Key insights from the 2025 study include:

• Overall media consumption continues to rise across platforms, with local radio and streaming television leading the growth.
• Television and radio commercials remain the top paid platforms through which Arizonans discover new products and services, closely followed by online advertising.
• Popular social media platforms—including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok—experienced year-over-year increases in weekly usage.
• YouTubeTV had the largest jump in paid subscriptions, with one in four Arizonans now subscribing—a 10% increase compared to 2024.
• Paid streaming audio subscriptions, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, and Apple Music, saw a decline, though YouTube Music experienced slight growth.
• Local email newsletters and blogs are used by 57% of Arizonans for community connections, news, and local information.
• A notable emerging trend: 12% of respondents now subscribe to an AI chat service or platform.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT AND ALL KEY INSIGHTS

Local media continues to lead in metrics related to trust and political neutrality, with 86% of Arizonans maintaining a neutral or positive opinion toward local news—consistent with previous annual findings.

“These findings underscore the critical role local media can play in the daily lives of Arizonans, even as the media landscape evolves,” said Chris Kline, President and CEO of the Arizona Media Association and Arizona Local News Foundation. “With consistently high trust levels and growing engagement across diverse platforms, our local media ecosystem is uniquely positioned to connect, inform, and serve Arizona’s communities.”

Additional findings of the study highlight shifting consumer preferences toward emerging technologies and new media services.

“Beyond local media, we’re also seeing fascinating shifts in consumer behavior with platforms like YouTubeTV and AI-driven services experiencing rapid adoption,” Kline added. “This underscores a broader trend where Arizonans are increasingly embracing innovation and diversity in their media choices, shaping a dynamic and continually evolving marketplace.”

For press inquiries, please contact Lisa Simpson, Vice President of Programs and Services at the Arizona Media Association, at lisa@azmedia.org.