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, the 2025 Arizona Media Landscape Study finds.
Produced annually in collaboration with research firm SmithGeiger, the report is the largest media behavior analysis conducted in Arizona, the Arizona Media Association said in an April 11 statement.
“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, the association said.
“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.”
The study’s findings address a broad range of components of Arizona media, from print and online to broadcast to streaming to cable, and from news to advertising.
For access to the results of the study, click on the link below:
SPJ: Phoenix, Arizona Chapter 