For the first time in US history, podcasts have surpassed AM/FM talk radio as the most popular medium for spoken-word audio, with the former now accounting for 49% of daily listening time.
According to Edison Research’s latest Share of Ear survey, talk radio holds 39% listenership.
Podcasts have steadily become popular over the last decade. In 2015, radio dominated the sector with a 75% share, while podcasts held a mere 10%.
The rise of video podcasts also contributed to the milestone. YouTube reported that viewers consumed 700 million hours of podcasts monthly on TV devices in 2025. This trend has disrupted traditional television, contributing to the cancellation of major daytime talk shows, including those of Kelly Clarkson and Sherri Shepherd.
Streaming giants like Netflix are also entering the fray through partnerships with major podcast networks like iHeartMedia and Barstool Sports.
Meanwhile, Apple, whose ‘iPod’ and the term ‘broadcast’ led to the creation of the word ‘podcast’, is seeing declining listeners on its audio app. It had 11.3% monthly podcast listeners in 2025, down from 15.7% in 2022.
As the definition of a podcast continues to evolve, the medium is increasingly viewed and is becoming a staple of the American daily routine.