The Podcast Consumer · April 5, 2019

The Podcast Consumer 2019

By Edison Research

Edison Research announces the release of The Podcast Consumer 2019, the latest in an annual series of closer looks at the audience for podcasting in America. This report comprises new research from The Infinite Dial 2019 from Edison and Triton Digital, as well as previously unreleased data from Edison’s Share of Ear research, a syndicated product that has tracked all forms of online and offline listening since 2014.

This year, thanks to a newly-expanded Infinite Dial, the Podcast Consumer 2019 includes many fresh data points on this increasingly important medium. The principal findings include the following:

The audience for podcasting grew significantly in the past year. Today, 51% of Americans 12+ have ever listened to a podcast, with 32% having listened in the past month, and 22% in the past week.

In addition, podcasting’s Share of Ear has more than doubled in five years, increasing 122% since 2014.

Although all key demographics grew, much of the increase in podcasting has come from Americans age 12-24.

Forty-one percent of monthly podcast listeners say they are listening to more podcasts today compared to one year ago, with 13% saying they are listening to less.

Streaming services are playing a role in the growth of podcasting, with 43% of monthly podcast listeners say they have listened to a podcast on Spotify, and 35% on Pandora.

Music is the number one topic in terms of interest from podcast consumers.

Finally, 54% of podcast consumers say that they are more likely to consider the brands they hear advertised on podcasts, compared to 7% who say they are less likely.

“Thanks to our partners at Triton Digital, this year we were able to significantly expand the podcasting coverage in our Infinite Dial series,” noted Edison SVP Tom Webster. “We are now able to explore in greater detail the consumption patterns and perceptions of the audience for what has become an extremely important medium.”

The results of this survey were first revealed in a webinar on April 11th, 2019.

Watch a replay of the webinar here:

How the survey was conducted:

In January/February 2019, Edison Research conducted a national telephone survey of 1,500 people aged 12 and older, using random digit dialing techniques to both cell phones and landlines. Telephone data was weighted to national 12+ U.S. population figures. In addition, Edison Research also conducted a national online survey of 4,126 people aged 12 and older. Online data weighted to match the Infinite Dial telephone demographics of those with internet access. Both surveys were offered in both English and Spanish.

About Edison Research:
Edison Research conducts survey research and provides strategic information to a broad array of clients, including Activision, AMC Theatres, Disney, Dolby Laboratories, Google, Oracle, the U.S. International Broadcasting Bureau, Pandora, Samsung, Siemens, Sony, The Gates Foundation, and Univision. Edison is the leading podcast research company in the world and has conducted research on the medium for NPR, Slate, ESPN, PodcastOne, WNYC Studios, and many more companies in the space. Another specialty for Edison is its work for media companies throughout the world, conducting research in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Edison is also the leading provider of consumer exit polling and has conducted face-to-face research in almost every imaginable venue. Since 2004, Edison Research has been the sole provider of Election Day data to the National Election Pool, conducting exit polls and collecting precinct vote returns to project and analyze results for every major presidential primary and general election.

About Triton Digital:
Triton Digital® is the global technology and services leader to the digital audio and podcast industry. Operating in more than 40 countries, Triton provides innovative technology that enables broadcasters, podcasters, and online music services to build their audience, maximize their revenue, and streamline their day-to-day operations. In addition, Triton powers the global online audio industry with Webcast Metrics®, the leading online audio measurement service. With unparalleled integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability, Triton remains committed to connecting audio, audience, and advertisers to continuously fuel the growth of the global online industry. Triton Digital is a wholly owned subsidiary of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP). For more information, visit www.TritonDigital.com.

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