YouTube Launches Weekly Podcast Chart

YouTube has unveiled a new Weekly Top Podcast Shows Chart, positioning it as a competitor to Spotify and Apple’s rankings. Leading the chart are podcasts like “The Joe Rogan Experience,” “Kill Tony,” and “Rotten Mango.”

Owned by Alphabet, YouTube reports that podcasts on its platform generate over one billion monthly active views. According to Edison Research in October, YouTube surpasses Spotify and Apple as the preferred platform for podcast listening. Ben Meiselas, co-founder of The MeidasTouch Podcast, highlighted YouTube’s superior cost-per-mile (cost per thousand impressions) compared to other platforms. “YouTube isn’t just a dumping ground for content from elsewhere,” Meiselas said. “We aim to make it a primary channel, like cable news.”

With nearly five million subscribers, MeidasTouch averages 350 million monthly views on YouTube, while also distributing on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Substack, and Patreon. Video podcasts remain a dominant media trend, frequently highlighted at this year’s Upfronts.

Spotify has invested heavily, disbursing over $100 million to podcasters globally in Q1 2025 and enhancing video capabilities. Still, YouTube’s creator payouts and vast user base make it critical for podcasters seeking reach.

The U.S.-focused YouTube chart, updated every Wednesday, ranks podcasts by watch time.