As of 2021, there were over **** million podcast listeners in the United Kingdom (UK). The audience is growing steadily as the popularity of podcasts increases, with estimate of over ** million listeners by 2026.

Podcast listening behavior and UK trends Over the past decade, podcasts have become one of the most popular forms of (audio) entertainment in the UK. While podcast reach and consumption are as high as ever, podcasts are still most widespread among young audiences, with close to ** percent of UK listeners aged 26 to 35 listening to podcasts on a weekly basis. Correspondingly, a recent survey showed that smartphones are by far the most commonly used device to listen to podcasts. When asked about their podcast listening behavior, a large share of UK audiences stated that they primarily listened to podcasts while driving or traveling.

What is the most popular podcast genre in the UK? Audiences can choose from an ever-expanding catalogue of podcast genres, titles, and formats. Recent surveys indicated that sports and comedy were the most popular podcast genres with male listeners in Great Britain, while comedy and music were the leading genres among female listeners. Overall, News and Weather and Desert Island Discs ranked as most popular radio programs and podcasts in the UK, with ** and ** percent of listeners having a positive opinion of these shows in 2020.

In a world where digital audio fills commutes, workouts, and late-night scrolls, podcasts have carved out a loyal audience, and Apple Podcasts remains a pivotal player in that space. Back in the day, it was just another app on your iPhone. But now? It’s the home base for millions of...

The device most commonly used to listen to podcasts in spring 2024 in the United Kingdom (UK) was the smartphone as ** percent of podcast listening time was via smartphones. Laptops were the second most used device, with ** percent of podcast listening time. What do people do while listening to podcasts? Podcasts have become extremely popular in the UK in recent years. But what are people doing while they listen? Most people listen to podcasts while driving/travelling, and many also just listen while relaxing or doing nothing in particular.   Podcasts still not the most listened to audio Although podcasts have gained popularity, they’re still not the most listened to audio. Live radio and TV viewing are the most common types of audio that people listen to weekly. The most positively rated radio and podcasts in the UK include Desert Island Discs and Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2.

According to a survey on podcast consumption in the United Kingdom in 2024, ** percent of respondents who listened to podcasts at least once a month did so while doing housework. Another ** percent stated that they consumed podcasts while they were at home relaxing.

In 2025, podcasts have become an integral part of daily life for millions worldwide. Whether it's during a morning commute, an evening jog, or while doing household chores, people are tuning in to stay informed, entertained, and connected. The podcasting landscape has evolved significantly, reflecting changes in technology, media consumption...

Discussion and talk shows and entertainment were the most popular podcast genre among 18 to 24 year-olds in the United Kingdom in 2024, both with a share of ** percent of surveyed respondents. The second most popular genre was comedy, with ** percent of respondents consuming podcasts from the genre.

A survey of podcast listeners in the United Kingdom conducted in May 2024 shows that ** percent of Gen Z listeners spent up to ***** hours per week with this medium. The same was true for ** percent of *** to 54-year-olds and ** percent of podcast listeners over the age of 55 years.

This statistic shows the result of a survey on weekly podcast listening in the United Kingdom in the first quarter of 2020, broken down by age. According to the survey, more than *** out of three respondents aged between 26 and 35 years said they listened to podcasts on a weekly basis.

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Podcast Market Size 2025-2029

The podcast market size is forecast to increase by USD 33.44 billion at a CAGR of 39.9% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth, fueled by the increasing proliferation of podcast platforms and the rising use of data analytics for targeted content and advertising. This dynamic market is characterized by intense competition among podcast service providers, as they strive to cater to the diverse and inconsistent user preferences. Advertisements have emerged as a significant revenue stream, with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies enabling targeted advertising and transcription technology enhancing accessibility. The availability of a wide range of podcast genres and topics, coupled with advanced analytics capabilities, enables providers to deliver personalized content and targeted advertising, enhancing user experience and engagement.
However, this competitive landscape poses challenges for companies seeking to differentiate themselves and maintain a loyal user base. Effective strategies for content creation, user engagement, and data-driven marketing will be essential for companies looking to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this evolving market. With the proliferation of subscription-based services and playback devices, such as media players, computers, IPods, and mobile phones, podcast listeners have unprecedented access to a wide range of content.

What will be the Size of the Podcast Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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In the dynamic market, reach and impact continue to soar, with podcast partnerships and sponsorship opportunities driving growth. Podcast advertising networks optimize ad formats, including pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll, to maximize ROI for advertisers. Audio mastering ensures high-quality sound, while podcast content repurposing and syndication expand reach across various platforms. Podcast downloads and plays remain key engagement metrics, with podcast charts and ratings shaping listener preferences.
Podcast collaboration, sound design, and cross-promotion foster community and innovation. Podcast apps provide convenience, while podcast video content adds visual appeal. Podcast ad rates vary based on audience size and demographics, making it essential for businesses to assess potential returns before investing. Media players, computers, iPods, mobile phones, and smartphones enable easy access to audio learning resources and podcast directories.

How is this Podcast Industry segmented?

The podcast industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Interviews
  Conversational
  Solo
  Panels
  Repurposed content


Genre

  News and politics
  Society and culture
  Comedy
  Sports
  Others


Platform

  Streaming services
  Dedicated podcast apps
  Web-based platforms
  Smart speaker integration


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada
    Mexico


  Europe

    Italy
    Spain
    Sweden
    UK


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The interviews segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The market is experiencing significant growth and innovation, with interview-led shows playing a pivotal role in audience engagement. Podcasts cater to diverse consumer interests, from business and technology to entertainment and wellness. Interviews feature dynamic conversations between hosts and a range of guests, including experts, industry leaders, celebrities, and everyday individuals with captivating experiences. This format fosters authenticity and connection, enabling listeners to explore various narratives and gain valuable expertise. Podcast production software, technology, and editing tools facilitate seamless content creation and distribution. Consumption habits continue to evolve, with listeners embracing shorter and longer episodes.

Content marketing, sponsorships, and transcription services enhance podcast monetization strategies. Ethical considerations, branding, and community building are essential components of podcast business models. Hosting platforms, licensing, and distribution networks ensure widespread access to diverse podcast content. Innovation in podcast technology, transcription, and monetization continues to shape the industry landscape. Furthermore, blockchain technologies have also entered the podcasting space, providing secure and decentralized distribution channels for podcasts.

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The Interviews segment w

News and current affairs was the most popular podcast genre among male listeners in the United Kingdom in 2024, with a share of ** percent of regular podcast listeners saying that they listened to podcasts from the genre. It was closely followed by entertainment and comedy, to which ** percent and ** percent of respondents listened to respectively.

These are podcasts from the Office for National Statistics - short presentations animated as Youtube videos. The first podcast explores the differences between rural and urban England. It is a summary of an article in ONS’s journal Regional Trends, which compares rural and urban areas for different topics across the UK. The second podcast describes UK rural and urban classifications, presenting maps of urban and rural areas and giving practical guidance on how to use them to analyse data. Source agency: Office for National Statistics Designation: Official Statistics not designated as National Statistics Language: English Alternative title: Regional Based Analysis

We give you the data, stats, and insights to help you make sense of the podcast industry. The latest insights from the top podcast sources.

According to a survey on podcast consumption in the United Kingdom in 2024, ** percent of respondents stated that they found new podcasts through the word of mouth. Another ** percent found new podcasts via radio programs.

Statistics on bandwidth and HTTP poll frequency and implied waste from comment clients of the Earth.Org.UK podcast RSS feed.

This is data from Podnews's server [], showing currently used useragents for our RSS feed, which is used for our podcast. It's updated daily. We use and contribute to OPAWG's RSS useragent list. This page shows all our podcast RSS feeds (we give some destinations some bespoke versions).

In 2021, podcast advertising expenditure in the United Kingdom (UK) amounted to ** million British pounds. This figure is estimated to increase within the next few years, reaching an estimated ** million by 2026.

The rise of digital audio advertising Over the past few years, the digital audio industry has experienced fundamental transformations and unprecedented growth. This growth was primarily fueled by the rise of podcasts, which have become one of the most popular forms of (audio) entertainment in the UK. In 2020, the number of podcast listeners in the UK stood at an estimated **** million, with steady growth predicted for the future. The increase in podcast consumption has visibly driven advertising investments: Today, podcasts are considered an essential part of brand marketing campaigns throughout the country, and according to the latest projections, the average ad spend per podcast listener in the UK will jump from **** British pounds in 2020 to **** pounds in 2024.

Podcast listening behavior and trends Thanks to the widespread adoption of connected devices and the proliferation of podcast streaming platforms and content, UK listeners consume more podcasts than ever before. The device most commonly used to listen to podcasts in the UK is the smartphone, as audiences mainly engage with audio formats while driving or traveling. According to a recent survey, the most popular radio programs and podcasts in the UK are News and Weather and Desert Island Discs, while Spotify remains the UK’s leading music and podcast streaming and downloading service.

According to a study on podcasts consumption conducted in the United Kingdom in March 2024, podcast listeners appreciated the convenience and the vast range of content of podcasts most. More than ** percent stated that they liked the convenience of podcasts while ** percent appreciated the range of content available on podcasts. Furthermore, more than ***** in four podcast listeners in the United Kingdom agreed to podcasts being ahead of radios in terms of offer and choice.

Entertainment was the most popular podcast genre among 45 to 54 year-olds in the United Kingdom in 2024, with ** percent of the respondents naming it as their favorite genre. In addition, podcast within the genre news and current affairs accounted for ** percent, ranking second.

According to a study from 2024 on podcast consumption in the United Kingdom, ** percent of respondents stopped listening to podcasts because they could not find any podcasts that were interesting to them. Another ** percent stated that they had not enough time to listen to podcasts.

According to a study on podcast consumption in the United Kingdom in the first half of 2023, ** percent of podcast listening hours on Spotify were spent listening to comedy podcasts. Another ** percent was spent listening to society and culture podcasts.