Weekly Insights · August 17, 2022

Weekly Insights 8.17.22 Top 50 Podcasts Q2, Latino Podcast Listener Report, and more

By Edison Research

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This quarter’s rankings of the most listened-to podcasts in the U.S. from Edison Research Podcast Metrics show few changes for the top podcasts over the past year, but there are several new entrants to the list and some big movers, particularly from the comedy category.

Edison Podcast Metrics is the only all-inclusive data source covering the entire U.S. podcasting industry.  This large survey measures actual listening, not downloads, from a sample of over 8,000 podcast listeners. The nearby graphic shows the top 50 shows by weekly reach or audience.

The biggest gainers within the top 15 biggest podcasts are “NPR News Now” (gaining 3 positions) and “Smartless” from Wondery (gaining 4). 

Two shows make their first appearance in the top 50: “The Glenn Beck Program” and “Ear Biscuits.”  Returning to the top 50 are “Last Podcast On the Left” and “Pardon My Take.”  The comedy-horror “Last Podcast…” show enjoyed the largest increase among the top 50 shows, going from 60th to 38th.  Ear Biscuits, also a comedy podcast, gained strongly as well, perhaps aided by the springtime debut of their Food Network television show. 

Also this week, The Latino Podcast Listener Report 2022 was released, revealing that 59% of U.S. Latinos have ever listened to a podcast, an all-time high. The study is sponsored by Adonde Media, LWC Studios, Libsyn, PRX, SXM Media and you can download the presentation in English or Spanish. The findings also showed that 76% of U.S. Latino monthly podcast listeners ever consume a podcast with a video component where they are actively watching the video. Speaking of video, you can check out a replay of the presentation and watch videos of Latino podcast listeners talk about their media habits – just click here.

Next week, we look forward to seeing some of you in Dallas at Podcast Movement!
–First up on Tuesday, August 23 is The Sounds Profitable Business Leaders Summit. Edison Research’s Senior Director of Research Gabriel Soto will be sharing podcasting insights as part of a panel in the Metrics of Success session at 11am CDT.  Then at 3pm CDT see the premiere of After These Messages, the latest study from Sounds Profitable, featuring Edison Research data – if you can’t join in person, you can click here to join virtually.

–On Wednesday, August 24, catch Gabe in a keynote address at 8:30am CDT, sharing what our research shows are opportunities in the podcast space. Then Edison Research President Larry Rosin will join a panel of industry experts for the Podcast Leadership from Every Angle Session at 10:45am CDT. It’s not too late to register for Podcast Movement. 

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