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.
