The latest quarterly podcast rankings from Edison Research have arrived, revealing which shows captured the largest weekly audiences in the United States during the fourth quarter of 2025. Based on data from Edison Podcast Metrics, the list provides a snapshot of dominance, diversity, and shifting listener habits shaping the U.S. podcast ecosystem.
Steady Leaders at the Top
For another quarter, The Joe Rogan Experience holds the coveted #1 position in the U.S., continuing its long‑standing popularity with weekly podcast consumers aged 13 and older. Close behind are perennial favorites Crime Junkie in second and The Daily in third place—demonstrating the enduring appeal of long‑form conversation, true crime storytelling, and daily news analysis to American listeners. Call Her Daddy and SmartLess round out the top five.
These rankings mirror broader listener patterns revealed by Edison Research’s Infinite Dial studies, which consistently show podcasts reaching record audiences in the U.S. and expanding listener engagement across age groups. In The Infinite Dial 2025 report, a historic high percentage of Americans report consuming podcasts regularly—a trend that continues to fuel high reach for top shows.
Notable Movers and Breakouts
Several podcasts climbed the charts in Q4 2025, highlighting diverse genres gaining traction. Stuff You Should Know jumped multiple spots, while storytelling staple This American Life also saw notable movement upward in the rankings. True crime and culture titles such as Morbid and Rotten Mango remain staples within the Top 20, reflecting the genre’s sustained listener interest.
Sports and pop culture also made strong showings. New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce continues its run as a top sports podcast, and This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von holds firm with its comedy‑driven conversational format. Elsewhere, emerging entries like The Diary of a CEO and The 85 South Show debuted in the Top 50—suggesting that listeners are increasingly open to international voices and varied storytelling styles.
Diversity of Content and Formats
The Top 50 list showcases an increasingly varied landscape. News, culture, comedy, true crime, and business podcasts all find representation, illustrating the medium’s broad appeal. Business and entrepreneurial titles such as Planet Money and How I Built This with Guy Raz continue to attract listeners interested in economic conversations and founder stories.
There’s also noticeable growth in shows that blend formats—a reflection of how podcasts have evolved beyond traditional interview setups. For example, Distractible blends comedy and conversational gaming culture, while Huberman Lab brings science and health insights to a broader audience.
Why These Rankings Matter
Edison Podcast Metrics is one of the most widely respected measurement services in the industry. It derives quarterly rankings from continuous interviews conducted throughout each period, surveying thousands of weekly listeners in English and Spanish. These metrics reflect average weekly reach among U.S. podcast consumers—a key benchmark for advertisers, creators, and networks assessing audience size and engagement.
Unlike platform‑specific charts (such as those on Apple Podcasts or Spotify), Edison’s rankings are platform‑agnostic, drawing from overall listening behavior across devices and distribution channels. This provides a broader view of podcast popularity and how shows compete for weekly consumption across the country.
Podcasts as Cultural Touchstones
Podcasting’s influence extends beyond charts. According to Edison’s broader research, podcast listeners tend to be deeply engaged, loyal, and valuable to advertisers. Recent consumer studies show high percentages of weekly listeners agree that ads are a fair trade for free content and that podcasts influence their media consumption and purchasing behavior.
As podcasting continues its growth trajectory—reaching new listeners and diversifying content offerings—rankings like the Q4 2025 Top 50 provide essential insights into what Americans are tuning into and why. From long‑running staples to breakout newcomers, the list highlights the dynamic range of voices that define contemporary audio storytelling.
