For the first time, podcasts have surpassed AM/FM talk radio as the dominant platform for spoken-word audio in the United States, marking a significant shift in how Americans consume audio content. The change, revealed in Edison Research’s Share of Ear survey, reflects a decade-long trend of increasing podcast popularity and a corresponding decline in traditional radio listenership. This milestone underscores the evolving media landscape and the growing appeal of on-demand audio.
According to the research, podcasts now account for 40% of spoken-word audio listening time, narrowly edging out AM/FM radio’s 39%. While the difference is slight, it represents a historic turning point. The rise of podcasts isn’t just about convenience. it’s a fundamental change in how people engage with audio, increasingly favoring curated content and on-demand access over scheduled broadcasts. This shift in podcast listenership has been fueled by a variety of factors, including the proliferation of smartphones, improved internet connectivity and the increasing quality and diversity of podcast programming.
A Decade in the Making
The transition hasn’t been sudden. Edison Research has been tracking this trend for years, noting a steady erosion of AM/FM radio’s dominance. In 2015, AM/FM radio commanded a staggering 75% of the spoken-word audio market, while podcasts held a mere 10%. This dramatic shift highlights the speed at which consumer habits can change in the digital age. The data demonstrates a clear preference for the flexibility and control offered by podcasting, allowing listeners to choose what they want to hear, when they want to hear it.
The growth of podcasting has coincided with a broader increase in overall audio consumption. Edison Research’s data shows that spoken-word audio now accounts for 25% of all daily time spent with audio by Americans aged 13 and older. This suggests that people are simply listening to more audio content and podcasts are capturing a larger share of that attention. Currently, over half of Americans, 55%—an estimated 158 million people—listen to a podcast monthly, with 40%, or 115 million, tuning in weekly.
The Rise of Video Podcasts
Beyond audio-only formats, the increasing popularity of video podcasts is also playing a role in this shift. YouTube reported that viewers watched 700 million hours of podcasts each month in 2025 on living room devices like TVs, a significant increase from 400 million hours the previous year. This trend suggests that people are seeking a more visually engaging podcast experience, and platforms like YouTube are catering to that demand. The ability to watch podcasts on larger screens, often with accompanying visuals, is attracting a novel audience and further boosting overall podcast consumption.
Spotify’s Growing Influence
The podcast landscape is also being shaped by the growing influence of platforms like Spotify. Edison Research notes that Spotify now reaches 25% of Americans aged 13+ daily, demonstrating its increasing importance as a podcast destination. The platform’s investment in exclusive content and its efforts to improve the user experience are attracting both listeners and creators, further solidifying its position in the market. This concentration of podcast listening on platforms like Spotify raises questions about the future of podcast distribution and the potential for platform-specific content.
What In other words for the Future of Audio
The crossover of podcasts and AM/FM radio isn’t necessarily a death knell for traditional radio. However, it does signal a need for radio stations to adapt and innovate. Many stations are already experimenting with podcasting themselves, creating companion podcasts to their on-air programs or developing original podcast content. The key for radio will be to leverage its existing strengths—local news, live sports, and community engagement—while embracing the flexibility and on-demand nature of podcasting.
The future of audio is likely to be a hybrid one, with podcasts and radio coexisting and complementing each other. Listeners will continue to value the convenience and personalization of podcasts, while also appreciating the immediacy and local focus of radio. The challenge for both mediums will be to stay relevant and engaging in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
Edison Research will continue to track these trends with its quarterly Share of Ear reports, providing valuable insights into the evolving audio habits of Americans. The next report, expected in late spring 2026, will offer a further look at the ongoing shift in spoken-word audio consumption and the impact of emerging technologies and platforms.
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