Top Podcast Genres Dominating in 2025 (And What’s Dying Out)

Discover which podcast genres are dominating 2025 and which are losing listeners fast.

, and Ashton York

July 30, 2025 . 1:00 PM

2 min read

Top Podcast Genres Dominating in 2025

1. Comedy

Still the most-consumed genre: in 2024, 66% of listeners tuned in to comedy shows, and it is expected to maintain dominance through 2025 thanks to wide appeal and low barriers to entry.

2. True Crime

Continues its strong popularity; one of the top genres people subscribe to, blending storytelling with investigative suspense.

3. Society & Culture / Talk‑Culture

Broad interest categories exploring social issues, personal stories and cultural commentary remain staples of the podcast feed.

4. Business / Entrepreneurship

Niche business podcasts, especially those with actionable advice, are seeing increased demand from professionals and solopreneurs alike.

5. Health & Wellness / Lifestyle

Wellness shows tackling mental health, parenting, nutrition and lifestyle continue growing, especially women-led talk formats like Kylie Kelce’s "Not Gonna Lie."

6. Video Podcasting / Cross‑Format Content

Video versions of podcasts are exploding – YouTube drives over 1 billion monthly podcast views and many creators now produce audio and video.

7. Fiction & Audio Drama (Sci‑Fi, Fantasy)

Scripted storytelling podcasts – from sci‑fi thrillers to fantasy series – are gaining traction, offering immersive narrative experiences.

Podcast Genres Losing Steam in 2025

1. Broad, Generalist Podcasts

Shows without a clear niche or unique angle struggle as hyper‑niche, personalized content becomes the expectation.

2. Long‑Form Opinion Commentary (Unstructured Solo Shows)

As audiences crave authenticity and emotional connection, polished solo lectures or opinion monologues are less engaging compared to conversational formats.

3. Podcasts with Low Production, Poor Branding

With rising expectations around visual, audio and editorial quality, especially in video podcasts, low-effort shows are losing discoverability and retention.

Why These Shifts Matter

Authenticity & intimacy reign: Female-led “best‑friend chat” shows like "Giggly Squad" and "Not Gonna Lie With Kylie Kelce" tap into deep parasocial connection and relatability.
Visual formats attract advertisers: Video podcasts bring higher revenue potential. Advertising on video podcasts is projected to reach $108 billion by end of 2025, versus $2.5 billion for audio-only, according to Business Insider.
Niche wins over generic: Hyper-specific topics build loyal followings in 2025 and mass-appeal hybrids that do not cater to defined passions are fading.

Generic broad-topic podcasts, unstructured long-form solo opinion shows and low-production quality formats are losing traction in today’s saturated market. Understanding which podcast genres are booming and which are fading can help creators, marketers and new media ventures align their strategies with listener behavior in 2025.