Jacobs Media has announced that its getting ready for the 2026 edition of its annual Techsurvey.  Last year, the survey had participation from 500 radio stations, producing over 24,000 respondents.

Past surveys have enabled Jacobs Media and participating stations to identify key digital trends, including awareness and usage of AI, smart speakers and the rise of voice technologies, on-demand audio and video entertainment options like podcasts and short-form video, in-dash entertainment, as well as the surge in YouTube usage.

In Techsurvey 2026, the company says they will continue trending on key variables: media device ownership and media usage, including on-demand media, push notifications, online newsletters, YouTube usage and short-form videos – and by key demographics and formats.

In addition, this year’s study will explore local and street visibility, contest participation, projected concert attendance, merchandise purchases, updated in-car dashboard access/usage, specifically Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and preferred podcast services.

Techsurvey 2026 will also deliver fresh data for 8-10 radio formats (music + spoken word), especially useful for stations and companies to better understand how their brands are similar or different than the national norms.

Jacobs Media is offering varying levels of participation in the survey.  With a modest paid participation, stations will receive local market results along with the national results.  Stations can also participate free and will receive the national results only.

Techsurvey 2026 will go into the field on Wednesday, January 7th (though that date is flexible), but the deadline to participate is December 19.

Complete details are available here.