As of November 2025, podcasting has solidified its status as a mainstream media powerhouse, with global listenership hitting an estimated 584.1 million monthly users—a 6.83% year-over-year increase—and projections nearing 600 million by year-end.
In the U.S., monthly consumption has reached an all-time high of 55% among the 12+ population (about 158 million people), up from 47% in 2024, marking the first time over half of Americans engage regularly.
Edison Research's The Infinite Dial 2025 highlights podcasts now claiming 9% of total U.S. audio time and 31% of spoken-word listening, outpacing traditional radio for on-demand preferences among younger demographics.
The industry's market value stands at $39.63 billion globally, fueled by diverse revenue streams like ads ($4.46 billion projected U.S. spend) and subscriptions, with a forecasted CAGR of 27% through 2030.
Yet, amid 4.5–5 million active podcasts worldwide (with 436,000 producing new episodes regularly), only about 487,200 shows launched in the past quarter, signaling maturation and a focus on quality over quantity.
Video formats are no longer optional—over 50% of shows now post full episodes on YouTube, where 39% of U.S. monthly listeners prefer it for discovery and viewing, ahead of Spotify (21%) and Apple Podcasts (8%). Listeners toggle between audio during commutes (71% usage) and video in evenings for "immersive" experiences, boosting retention by 20–30% via facial cues and visuals. Platforms like Spotify and YouTube are accelerating this with AI-enhanced clips for social sharing, projecting video to dominate 60%+ of new content by year-end.
Trend implication: Creators must hybridize—audio for multitasking, video for deeper connection—while 64% of listeners report preferring YouTube's "better experience."
Demographic Shifts:
Younger audiences are propelling growth: 66% of U.S. 12–34-year-olds and 61% of 35–54-year-olds listen monthly, with Gen Z potentially hitting 30% of the total U.S. audience (42 million listeners) by late 2025—up 17% YoY. Women now match or exceed men at 45% weekly U.S. listenership (up from 32% in 2024), drawn to self-improvement and narrative genres.
Trend implication: Tailor content for mobile-first Gen Z (70% smartphone use) and multicultural audiences, emphasizing relatable, bite-sized education—74% of listeners seek "fresh knowledge."