# Study: Podcasts top talk radio in U.S. listening frequency
Podcasts have officially overtaken traditional talk radio in U.S. listening frequency for the first time, marking a seismic shift in spoken-word audio consumption among Americans aged 13 and older. New Edison Research data from Q4 2025 reveals podcasts capturing 40% of daily spoken-word audio time, edging out AM/FM radio's 39% share, a stunning reversal from a decade ago when radio dominated with 75%.[1][2][3]
Edison Research Data Confirms Podcast Surge in Spoken-Word Listening
Edison Research's Share of Ear® study, the leading metric for audio consumption, shows podcasts leading AM/FM radio in spoken-word audio—a category including news, talk, and sports—for the first time ever. In Q4 2025, podcasts hit 40% of daily listening time, while radio fell to 39%, narrowing a gap that was once 65 percentage points in radio's favor back in 2015 when podcasts held just 10%.[3][2][1]
This milestone reflects a decade-long trend: radio's share eroded steadily from 75% in 2015 to 50% by 2020, 46% in 2021-2022, and 39% in 2025, as podcasts climbed from 10% to 24% by 2020, 37% in 2023-2024, and now 40%.[2][3] Spoken-word audio overall accounts for 25% of all daily audio time, underscoring its cultural weight.[3]
Decade-Long Rise: From Niche to Mainstream Dominance
Podcasts' ascent stems from their on-demand accessibility, appealing to listeners craving flexibility over live broadcasts. Sports, news, and opinion content have thrived, with athletes, broadcasters, and commentators flocking to the format as cable TV wanes.[1] Reach has exploded, with Triton Digital's 2025 U.S. Podcast Report showing podcasting now hitting 53% of the U.S. population monthly—surpassing the halfway mark for the first time.[5]
Pew Research bolsters this, noting 54% of U.S. adults listened to a podcast in the past year as of August 2025, up from 49% in 2022, with younger demographics driving growth: 67% of 18-29-year-olds tune in, double the 33% among those 65+.[7] Internationally, similar trends emerge, like Germany's "Podcast Report 2025" where 73% of Gen Z (18-29) listen to podcasts versus 70% for radio.[4]
Radio's Response: Adaptation and Blurring Lines
Traditional radio faces a "podcast problem," as talk radio once owned spoken-word but now trails in listening time.[6][1] Stations are adapting: SiriusXM signs stars like Conan O’Brien and Smartless hosts, while local sports outlets simulcast on YouTube/Twitch and repackage shows as podcasts.[1] WFAN's Spike Eskin argues radio excels in its lane, but lines are blurring.[1]
Experts like Acast CEO Greg Glenday urge radio to leverage local trust for branded podcasts, calling it a 2026 growth path.[2] Triton notes audio remains primary (80% of listeners use both audio and video, 13% audio-only), challenging video-first narratives.[5] iHeart and NPR top download charts, proving established players thrive.[5]
Future Implications for Audio Industry and Advertisers
This shift signals podcasts as audio's new powerhouse, inviting radio to innovate rather than resist, lest it repeat newspapers' digital missteps.[6] With podcasting reaching over half the population and influencing behaviors—like 81% of Gen Z altering opinions based on hosts—brands eye engaged audiences for ads.[4][5] Awards like the Golden Globes' podcast category affirm cultural clout.[1]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Edison Research study specifically measure?
The study measures daily spoken-word audio time among U.S. listeners 13+, showing podcasts at 40% and AM/FM radio at 39% in Q4 2025 via Share of Ear® metrics.[3][2]
When did podcasts first surpass talk radio in listening share?
Podcasts overtook AM/FM radio in spoken-word listening for the first time in Q4 2025, after a decade of steady gains.[1][3]
How has podcast listening trended over the past decade?
From 10% of spoken-word share in 2015, podcasts rose to 40% by 2025, while radio fell from 75% to 39%.[2][3]
Which demographics drive podcast growth?
Younger listeners lead: 67% of 18-29-year-olds listened in the past year per Pew, and Gen Z favors podcasts 73% to radio's 70% in some studies.[7][4]
Is podcasting shifting to video, or is audio still dominant?
Audio remains primary; Triton data shows 80% of consumers use both, 13% audio-only, with video genre-dependent.[5]
How are radio stations responding to podcasts' rise?
Many simulcast shows, repackage as podcasts, partner with platforms like SiriusXM, and explore branded content to retain audiences.[1][2]
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 3:40:34 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Podcasts Surge Past Talk Radio in U.S. Listening Frequency**
A new Triton Digital report reveals podcasts now reach **53% of the U.S. population monthly**—over half for the first time—eclipsing traditional talk radio's share amid a competitive shift where podcasts claim **31% of all spoken word audio listening**, up from prior years.[4][2] Edison Research data underscores the landscape change, with **98 million weekly podcast listeners** (34% of Americans) outpacing radio's declining dominance among younger demographics like Gen Z, whose spoken word audio time on podcasts has grown **214%** since 2014.[5][2] Platforms like YouTube (33% share) and Spotify
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 3:50:34 PM
**Breaking News Update:** Edison Research's Share of Ear study reveals podcasts now claim **9% of Americans’ total audio consumption time**, topping talk radio with an all-time high **31% of spoken word audio listening**—up from radio's traditional dominance amid a **355% surge in U.S. podcast hours to 773 million weekly**.[2][6] Technical analysis shows podcasts averaging **7-9 hours weekly per listener** (with 83% exceeding 9 hours), driven by mobile dominance at **86.1%** and video formats preferred by **77% of new listeners**, signaling a shift to on-demand, visual-audio hybrids.[3][5][6] Implications include eroded radio ad efficacy (despit
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 4:00:33 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Global Ripples from U.S. Podcast Surge Over Talk Radio**
The U.S. milestone—where podcasts claimed **40%** of spoken-word audio time vs. **39%** for radio in Q4 2025, per Edison Research[1][2][3]—is amplifying worldwide as North America leads global adoption, with nearly **half its population** projected as listeners by 2026[6]. Acast CEO Greg Glenday hailed local radio's pivot potential, stating stations hold “**real trust with their communities**” for branded podcasts[3], while Triton Digital notes audio's dominance (80% of U.S. consumers both listen and watch)[7], spurring international platforms like Spotif
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 4:10:41 PM
**BREAKING: Edison Research's Share of Ear study reveals podcasts now dominate U.S. spoken word audio at 31% of listening time, surpassing traditional talk radio, while occupying 9% of total audio consumption—up from 5% in 2014—with weekly listeners hitting 98 million (34% of Americans).** Technical analysis shows podcasts averaging 7-9 hours weekly per listener (e.g., 83% spend over 9 hours, 34% consume 8.3 episodes), driven by 86.1% mobile access and Gen Z's 214% rise in spoken word time to 22%.[2][3][5] Implications include a $39.63 billion global market shift, wit
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 4:20:40 PM
**BREAKING: Podcasts Eclipse Talk Radio in U.S. Listening Frequency.** Edison Research and Triton Digital's latest report reveals podcasts have surpassed talk radio in weekly listening frequency among Americans, with podcasting now reaching 53% of the U.S. population monthly—up from 47% in 2024—for the first time crossing the halfway mark.[4][5][8] This shift intensifies competition as podcasts claim 9% of total audio time and 31% of spoken word audio, eroding talk radio's dominance amid 158 million monthly U.S. listeners (55% of adults).[2][5][6] Platforms like YouTube (33% share) and Spotify (26%) are accelerating the audio-to-video pivo
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 4:30:41 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Podcasts Eclipse Talk Radio in US, Sparking Global Podcast Momentum**
The US milestone—podcasts capturing **40%** of spoken-word audio listening time vs. **39%** for AM/FM radio in Q4 2025, per Edison Research—has reverberated internationally, with Triton Digital's global tech arm noting podcasting now reaches **53%** of the US population monthly, fueling worldwide adoption as a core advertising channel.[1][2][6] Acast CEO Greg Glenday hailed local radio's pivot to "branded podcasting" as a 2026 growth path, citing "real trust with communities" that national platforms lack, while broadcasters like AMA's Paul Kelly urge blendin
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 4:40:42 PM
**BREAKING: Podcasts Eclipse Talk Radio in U.S. Listening Frequency, Reshaping Audio Competitive Landscape**
Edison Research and Triton Digital's latest report reveals podcasts have surpassed talk radio in weekly listening frequency among Americans, with podcasts now claiming 9% of total audio consumption time and 31% of all spoken word audio listening—up from 5% reach in 2014 to 18% in Q3 2022.[2][8] This shift marks podcasting reaching 53% of the U.S. population monthly for the first time, outpacing radio's traditional dominance as monthly listeners hit 158 million (55% of Americans 12+), compared to radio's 88% weekly reach but declining a
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 4:50:41 PM
**BREAKING: Edison Research and Triton Digital study reveals podcasts have surpassed talk radio in weekly listening frequency among Americans, occupying 9% of total audio time and 31% of spoken word audio—a 355% rise in U.S. listening hours to 773 million weekly from 170 million a decade ago.** Technical analysis highlights podcasts' edge in listener loyalty, with 56% tuning into 1-3 shows weekly and 6% binging 10+, driven by on-demand access versus radio's 12.2 average hours/week.[1][2][5][7] Implications signal streaming dominance for platforms like Spotify, boosting ad strategies amid $39.63 billion global market growth, though audio formats persist despite vide
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 5:00:39 PM
**BREAKING: Edison Research and Triton Digital's latest study confirms podcasts have surpassed talk radio in weekly listening frequency among Americans, marking a pivotal shift in audio consumption.** The report, released February 20, 2026, reveals podcasting now reaches 53% of the U.S. population monthly—over half for the first time—with 80% of consumers favoring audio over video formats despite video's rise.[4][2] This milestone underscores podcasts' 9% share of total U.S. audio time, up amid 158 million monthly listeners (55% of Americans).[5][6]
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 5:10:44 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: FCC Scrutinizes Talk Radio Amid Podcast Surge**
No direct regulatory response from the FCC addresses the study finding podcasts now surpass talk radio in U.S. listening frequency, but on January 21, 2026, the FCC Media Bureau issued guidance warning broadcasters that talk shows featuring political candidates may not qualify for the equal opportunities rule's *bona fide* news exemption if "motivated by partisan purposes."[1][2] Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the notice as "an escalation in this FCC’s ongoing campaign to censor and control speech," while Chairman Carr defended equal time rules as promoting "more speech, not less," following CBS's decision to block a candidate interview on "The Late Show."[3]
🔄 Updated: 2/25/2026, 5:20:48 PM
**Podcasts have officially surpassed spoken-word AM/FM radio for the first time**, with podcast listening reaching 40% of all spoken-word audio time in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 39% for AM/FM radio, according to Edison Research's Share of Ear study[1]. This milestone marks a dramatic reversal from 2015, when 75% of spoken-word listening came from AM/FM radio versus just 10% from podcasts[1]. Industry analysts attribute the shift to listeners' preference for time-shifted, on-demand content over traditional broadcast schedules, with the median podcast listener age rising sharply from 29 in 2017 to