Podcasting is no longer niche—it’s big business. According to recent forecasts, the global podcast market will grow from $36.3 billion in 2024 to $47.8 billion in 2025, and may reach $134.7 billion by 2029. Ad revenue and subscriber support are booming, AI is transforming production, and video formats are attracting new audiences.
Curious where it’s all heading? Let’s break it down.
Who’s Listening?
- Global listeners: There are 584 million listeners in 2025, headed toward 651 million by 2027.
- U.S. monthly audience: 55% of the population, around 158 million people, listen to podcasts each month.
- Youth-driven: 66% of podcast listeners in the U.S. are between the ages of 12 and 34.
Tip: Young, diverse audiences are fueling growth. Are you meeting them where they are?
Video Podcasts: Not Just Audio Anymore
- 40% of weekly U.S. listeners prefer video podcasts.
- Top discovery platforms: YouTube (31%), Spotify (24%), Apple Podcasts (12%)
- Industry shift: Hollywood creators and brands are entering podcasting with livestreams and visual formats
Tip: Is your podcast camera-ready?
AI & Platform Innovation
- AI now powers much of editing, transcriptions and personalized content discovery.
Tip: AI tools can help you edit faster and advertise smarter.
Why Advertisers Love Podcasts
- 71% aided brand recall with podcast ads.
- Mid-roll ads account for nearly 64% of podcast ad revenue.
- 51% of agencies planned more podcast spending in 2023
Tip: Authentic, host-read ads work. Focus on storytelling, not scripts.
Challenges to Watch
- Category confusion: Over half of listeners see YouTube-only content as a podcast.
- Production costs are rising, especially for video
- Discoverability and platform fragmentation limit indie growth
Tip: Be clear about format and find ways to stand out – strong branding and distribution matter.
Final Thought
Podcasting isn’t slowing down. With smarter tech, bigger audiences and evolving ad models, 2025 is the year to level up. Whether you are just starting or scaling, strategic content and cross-platform visibility will be key.
