2025 Infinite Dial: Online, Podcast Listening Hits All-Time High

The portion of Americans who listen to any kind of online audio, and the portion who listen to podcasts, have both reached new record highs, according to The Infinite Dial® an annual survey from Edison Research with support from Audacy, Cumulus Media, and SiriusXM Media.

The 2025 Infinite Dial research study, released by Edison Research on Thursday, is the latest installment of the longest-running annual survey of digital media consumption in the United States, now in its 27th year. Presented in a webinar by Edison Research Vice President Megan Lazovick and James Cridland, Editor of Podnews, the study provides a comprehensive look at trends in podcasting, online audio, in-car audio usage, smart speaker adoption, social media behavior, and other digital media habits among Americans aged 12 and older. Supported by Audacy, Cumulus Media, and SiriusXM Media, the report is widely regarded as a benchmark for the audio industry and is relied upon by content producers, media companies, agencies, and the financial community.

Key findings from the 2025 Infinite Dial include a record-high in podcast consumption, with 73% of Americans aged 12 and up—approximately 210 million people—having consumed a podcast in either audio or video format at some point, up from previous years. This marks a significant milestone in podcasting’s growth into a mainstream medium. 

Podcast listening reach is up overall: 47% of the U.S. 12+ population has listened to a podcast in the last month, up 12% year over year; 34% of the U.S. 12+ population has listened to a podcast in the last week, up 10% year over year. Despite changes in how downloads are being delivered and counted, listening levels are up markedly.

Growth in podcast reach is driven by large increases among the number of female listeners: 

• 45% of women in the U.S. age 12+ have listened to a podcast in the last month, up from 39% in 2023, an increase of 15%; 
• 32% of women in the U.S. age 12+ have listened to a podcast in the last week, up from 27% in 2023, an increase of 19% Weekly and monthly podcast listening among men are up 3% and 4%, respectively
• Increases in the number of monthly and weekly podcast listeners are seen across all age groups

Online audio listening hits the highest mark ever: 

• 76% of those in the U.S. age 12+ have listened to online audio in the last month, an estimated 218 million people
• 90% of those age 12-34 and 85% of those age 35-54 have listened to online audio in the last month

Smart speaker ownership appears to have plateaued, but the number of smart speakers per owner continues to rise: 

• 34% of the population age 12+ report owning a smart speaker, down from 36% in 2023
• Nearly half of smart speaker owners (43%) own three or more of the devices

Twitter/X usage sees a sharp decline after Elon Musk acquisition:  

• 19% of those age 12+ are currently ever using X (formerly known as Twitter), a 30% drop from the findings in the 2023 Infinite Dial study

The study also highlights a rebound in X (Twitter) usage among Americans aged 18 and older, following a sharp decline in 2024. This resurgence is notably driven by Republicans, with 25% usage among them (up significantly), compared to a modest 1% increase among Democrats (to 22%) and steady usage among Independents at 21%. This shift suggests a changing demographic in the platform’s audience.

TikTok remains significant, with 31% of Americans using it monthly; among these users, 39% indicated they would shift to Instagram if TikTok were banned, pointing to potential platform competition dynamics

Lazovick said, “The Infinite Dial was created for those looking to understand emerging technologies and the infinite options available to consumers. If you have tuned into the webinar or used the findings at any point in the past, then you are a part of that legacy of curious people helping to keep it going. We hope you are as excited as we are to have access to this rigorous research, free and available to all.”

Other findings include: 

• 70% of those age 18+ who have driven or ridden in a car in the last month currently ever listen to radio as an audio source in their primary car; 55% listen to online audio and 32% listen to podcasts

• 32% of those age 18+ who have driven or ridden in a car in the last month have either an Android Auto or Apple CarPlay system in the vehicle

Additional insights include the continued rise of online audio, with streaming audio consumption reaching new heights, though specific percentages weren’t detailed in the initial release summary. Smart TVs are now present in three-quarters of American homes, reflecting the growing dominance of connected devices.

• 60% of those age 12+ have a traditional AM/FM radio set in their home 
• 72% of those age 12+ own a smart TV

🎧Download 2025 Report: HERE