Arizona Media Association + Arizona Local News Foundation

PHOENIX – A newly released study from the Arizona Media Association highlights continued high trust in local news and media despite ongoing fragmentation in media consumption. Now in its fifth year, this study is produced annually in collaboration with research firm SmithGeiger and is the largest media behavior analysis conducted in Arizona. Key insights from the 2026 study include:

• Overall media consumption continues to grow across platforms, with local radio and streaming television driving the most significant gains.
• Time spent consuming local TV has risen by more than 20 minutes in the past year, driven by engagement across social media, websites, mobile apps, and broadcast channels.
• Daily consumption of local print and digital platforms has increased by 10–14 minutes among Arizonans year over year.
• Compared to 2025 Arizonans are spending over 10 additional minutes with AM/FM radio, accessed via smartphones, computers, and social media.
• Nearly all Arizona consumers (97%) use at least one paid subscription service, such as a national or news website or app.
• Over the past year, Arizonans have increased their media consumption across platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, local TV, and streaming radio.
• The Arizona audience is worried about several factors when it comes to the use of AI-driven media, like the potential spread of misinformation or bias and lack of human oversight in the content.

Click Here to Download the Report.

This study makes clear local media is best at creating connectedness. Local media delivers value and authenticity, and continues to empower Arizonans to build informed, engaged communities. More than 80% of Arizonans express neutral to high trust in local news media as a source of information, and say it helps them stay connected to their communities.

Additional findings of the study highlight what Arizonans are saying are key issues in 2026 including homelessness, immigration and housing affordability.

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