Podcasts Overtake Traditional Radio In U.S. Listenership

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 26, 2026

Podcasts Overtake Radio As The Dominant Spoken-Word Medium

Recent findings from Edison Research reveal that podcasts have now eclipsed AM/FM talk radio in terms of listening time in the United States. For the first time, podcasts accounted for 40% of spoken-word audio consumption, edging out radio’s 39% share.

Decade-Long Trend Solidifies New Audio Landscape

Edison Research’s Share of Ear survey, which has tracked listening habits for more than a decade, shows steady growth in podcast consumption alongside a gradual decline in traditional talk radio.

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The trend highlights increasing demand for on-demand and niche content, where podcasts allow listeners to choose topics, formats, and schedules that match personal preferences.

The Rise Of Video Podcasts

The study also points to the expanding role of video podcasts across platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. While video formats are included in overall consumption figures, audio-first listening remains a core part of podcast engagement.

Triton Digital’s U.S. Podcast Report for 2025 found that 80% of listeners aged 18 and older engage with both audio and video formats. Genres such as music, sports, comedy, and news tend to perform well in video, while science, history, fiction, art, and true crime remain primarily audio-driven.

Strategic Industry Moves And Market Adaptation

One of the more intriguing developments is Netflix’s strategic foray into the podcast arena. By partnering with iHeartMedia and Barstool Sports, the streaming giant aims to reinvent the daytime talk show format. This move aligns with additional insights from YouTube, which reported that living room devices now account for a significant portion of podcast viewership, with monthly watch times rising from 400 million to 700 million hours between 2024 and 2025.

Conclusion: The Enduring Role Of Podcasts

Edison Research data shows that 85% of weekly U.S. podcast listeners aged 13 and older engage with some form of video-integrated content, up 7% from 2023. The U.S. now has an estimated 115 million weekly podcast listeners, with only a small share preferring video without audio.

As listening habits continue to evolve, podcasts are increasingly positioned as a central format within the broader digital audio and media landscape.

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Cyprus Central Bank Reports Sharp Decline In New Loans For January 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 8, 2026

Overview Of Lending Trends

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) reported a marked downturn in total net new loans for January 2026. The figures reveal a decline of €377.7 million in net new loans compared with the previous month, reflecting broader adjustments in both consumer and housing credit markets.

Detailed Lending Activity

Net new loans in January totaled €247.3 million, based on €495.9 million in total new lending. In December 2025, net new loans reached €625.0 million from €986.9 million in total lending. Changes were recorded across several credit categories. Net new consumer loans increased slightly to €18.9 million from €17.2 million in December. Housing loans declined to €95.7 million from €135.4 million in the previous month.

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Interest Rate Movements

Interest rates for both consumer and housing loans declined slightly during the period. Consumer loan rates fell to 7.20% from 7.22%, while housing loan rates decreased to 3.70% from 3.78%. Deposit rates showed limited changes. Household term deposits remained at 1.20%, while deposits from non-financial corporations increased to 1.34% from 1.27%.

Comparative European Context

In comparison with other euro area countries, lending rates in Cyprus are close to the median for outstanding loan balances. Margins for households are around 0%, while margins for non-financial corporations stand at approximately 0.4%. The transmission of monetary policy in Cyprus broadly follows developments in the wider euro area, particularly during periods of monetary tightening or easing. However, the pass-through of rate changes to new loans, especially those issued to non-financial corporations, appears lower than in some other euro area markets.

Shifts In Borrower Behavior And Market Dynamics

The CBC report also highlights changes in borrower preferences regarding interest rate structures. The share of new housing loans with variable interest rates has declined from nearly 100% in early 2022 to 11.6%. Fixed-rate loans have become more common in new housing lending, although many of these products later transition to variable rates.

Banking Liquidity And Deposit Rates

In addition to lending trends, the Central Bank of Cyprus noted that deposit rates in Cyprus remain among the lowest in the euro area. High liquidity levels within the banking system contribute to this trend. Cypriot banks reported a liquidity coverage ratio of 319% in December 2025, compared with a euro area median of 192% and an EU average of 161%. These liquidity levels influence the pricing of deposits in the domestic market. Changes in policy interest rates have also shown limited pass-through to new deposits, reflecting the structure of Cyprus’s relatively small banking sector. The CBC report highlights ongoing developments in both lending and deposit conditions within the country’s banking system as economic conditions and borrowing preferences continue to evolve.

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