Podcasting Facts and Statistics for 2024

Podcasting has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with millions of people tuning in to listen to their favorite shows every day. From true crime to politics, there’s a podcast for every interest, and the medium has become a powerful tool for content creators to reach a global audience. In this article, we will examine the latest statistics on podcasting, including the number of podcasts, the demographics of podcast listeners, and the most popular genres. By understanding these statistics, we can gain a better understanding of the rapidly growing world of podcasting and its impact on the audio entertainment industry.

Podcasting History

• • 2000: Dave Winer and Christopher Lydon experiment with audio content distribution, laying the groundwork for podcasting.
  • 2003: Dave Slusher coins the term “podcasting” and creates one of the first podcast shows, “The Evil Genius Chronicles.”
  • 2004: Adam Curry and Dave Slusher develop a method to automatically download and sync audio files with iPods, popularizing podcasting.
  • 2005: Apple adds podcast support to iTunes, making it easier for users to discover and subscribe to podcasts.
  • 2006: The first podcasting awards, called “The Podcast Awards,” are held to recognize outstanding shows in various categories.
  • 2014: The podcast “Serial” breaks records, becoming the fastest podcast to reach five million downloads and streams.
  • 2017: Spotify enters the podcasting industry by acquiring podcasting companies and launching its own podcasting platform.
  • 2019: Apple Podcasts surpasses one million active shows, highlighting the growing popularity and abundance of podcasts.
  • 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic leads to a surge in podcast consumption, as more people seek audio content for entertainment and education.

Podcasting Statistics

How many podcasts are there?

There are 1 million podcast shows on Apple Podcasts

Last updated 4/24/20

---

Total number of podcast episodes:

29 million

Last updated 4/22/19

---

Number of new podcasts by year:

• 2022: 219,000 podcasts
• 2021: 729,000 podcasts
• 2020: 1.109 million podcasts

---

Growth in number of podcasts from 2010-2020:

129,000%

---

Percentage of podcast listeners that listen for one or more hours per week:

86%

Last updated 3/23/18

---

Estimated number of monthly podcast listeners in the US:

124.5 million

Last updated 10/6/22

---

Estimated number of weekly podcast listeners in the US:

119.4 million

Last updated 10/6/22

---

Drop in podcast listening hours during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (March 1-April 27):

14% drop

---

Percentage of podcast ads in 2018 that were native ads:

63%

---

Percentage of all online audio listening in the US is attributed to podcasts:

64%

Last updated 6/9/19

---

Podcasting advertising revenue in 2018:

$479 million

---

Podcasting advertising revenue in 2021:

$1.45 billion

---

Projected podcasting advertising revenue by 2024

$4.2 billion

---

Projected growth in podcasting advertising revenue from 2018-2019:

42%

---

Percentage of podcast listeners that listen on a mobile device:

90%

Last updated 7/24/18

---

Percentage of podcast listeners that are likely to buy from brands they hear advertised:

54%

Last updated 5/15/19

---

Number of podcasts in the Apple catalog:

700,000

Last updated 7/10/19

---

Percentage of Americans that have listened to a podcast:

more than half

Last updated 8/21/19

---

Percentage of Americans that listen to podcasts monthly:

32%

Last updated 8/21/19

---

Top earning podcasts as of February 2020 (source):

1. The Joe Rogan Experience ($30 million)
2. My Favorite Murder ($15 million)
3. The Dave Ramsey Show ($10 million)
4. Armchair Expert (Dax Shepard) ($9 million)
5. The Bill Simmons Podcast ($7 million)

So there you have it, this article delved into the fascinating world of podcasting, shedding light on its statistics, history, and key facts. The exponential growth of podcasting in recent years has transformed it into a powerful medium that captivates audiences across the globe. With millions of podcasts available on various platforms, the listener base continues to expand, reaching new heights of popularity and influence.

Examining the history of podcasting, we discovered its humble beginnings in the early 2000s, pioneered by visionaries who recognized the potential of on-demand audio content. From its grassroots origins to the present day, podcasting has evolved into a diverse landscape encompassing various genres, from educational and storytelling to news and entertainment.

The article also highlighted key statistics that reflect the impressive reach and engagement of podcasts. With a growing number of podcast listeners worldwide, advertisers and content creators have recognized the immense value of this medium. The podcasting industry’s revenue and investment figures underscore its promising future, attracting both established media giants and emerging independent creators.

Furthermore, the facts presented in this article demonstrate the multifaceted nature of podcasting, highlighting its ability to foster community, provide an alternative perspective, and offer a platform for underrepresented voices. Podcasting has become a powerful tool for storytelling, education, and fostering meaningful connections.

As we continue to witness the evolution of podcasting, it is clear that this medium is here to stay. Its ability to entertain, inform, and inspire makes it an integral part of the media landscape. Whether you are a listener, content creator, or advertiser, understanding the rich history, statistics, and facts of podcasting is essential to navigate and embrace the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.