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Discover the Unexpected: Top 13 Fun Facts About Podcasts You Need to Know!

illustration of podcasts
Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of podcasts as we unravel some amusing tidbits and lesser-known trivia that will leave you buzzing with excitement!

1. Rabbits on Steroids: Podcast Numbers Soar

Podcasts are like rabbits on steroids: They just can't help but multiply at a staggering rate! Prolific propagators of the digital audio realm: As of 2022, there are over 2.4 million podcasts worldwide, boasting an impressive 66 million episodes, according to Demand Sage and Podcast Insights.
Source => influencermarketinghub.com

2. Spotify Enhances App for The Visually Impaired

You may have heard the saying "You have an app for that!", but what about an app for those struggling to see the app for that? Well, Spotify's got your back: They are enhancing their app's accessibility for visually impaired users by modifying button designs, bettering text labels, increasing text size on iOS, and even planning for auto-generated podcast transcripts in the future!
Source => tech.hindustantimes.com

3. Podcast Listenership Skyrockets in the U.S.

Podcasts: the cozier, chummier cousin of radio that we can wrap around our ears like a custom-made audio blanket! As they continue to enthrall us with their ear-hugging charms, the numbers just keep piling up: Currently, there are over 4 million registered podcasts worldwide, 2.5 million of them on Apple Podcasts. In the U.S., podcast listenership has increased from 5% of those age 13+ in 2014 to a whopping 18% as of Q3 2022 – a growth spurt equivalent to having received a secret beanstalk-growing formula in its podcasting porridge!
Source => thepodcasthost.com

4. Podcast Lovers Devour 7 Episodes Weekly

Are you ready for an earful of entertainment that outnumbers the stars in the sky? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because podcasts are here to stay: With over 1 million unique podcasts and about 66 million episodes globally, listeners in the US are spending an average of 6 hours and 39 minutes per week diving into this audio extravaganza, devouring around 7 podcast episodes in the process.
Source => firstsiteguide.com

The Origins of "Podcast"

5. The Origins of "Podcast"

Before the British invasion sent shockwaves through the audio landscape and had everyone twisting and shouting in delight: journalist Ben Hammersley coined the term "podcast" in 2004, cleverly smooshing together "iPod" and "broadcast." Birthed in the genius minds of David Winer and Christopher Lydon, Steve Jobs then crank-started this auditory locomotive in 2005 by introducing podcast subscriptions on iTunes, and it's been full steam ahead for our eardrums ever since.
Source => ustudio.com

6. The Video Podcast Revolution Takes Off

Jamming out with their 'pods': Apple, led by CEO Steve Jobs, held their lavish party in the iTunes library back in 2007, to celebrate the debut of 25,000 glitzy video podcasts strutting among their 125,000 audio cousins: This historical moment highlighted the remarkable creativity and marketing skills of content creators, presenting businesses with the red carpet opportunity to mingle with their target audience through the chic world of podcasts, just in time for the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store's grand entrance.
Source => oneupweb.com

7. Serial: The World's Most Popular Podcast

Hold on to your earbuds and call Sherlock Holmes, because this podcast has a serious case of popularity: Serial, hosted by Sarah Koenig, won a Peabody Award for innovative storytelling and had been downloaded over 80 million times as of February 2016, debunking the claim that it's the all-time most popular podcast with over 340 million downloads.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Gen Z's Spoken Word Obsession

These days, podcasts are spreading faster than your Aunt's viral peach cobbler recipe at a family reunion: Around 90 million Americans, primarily between 12-54 years old, listen to podcasts on a weekly basis. As it turns out, Gen Z is consuming a whopping 214% more spoken word audio (including podcasts) than their 13-34 year-old counterparts did in 2014, thanks to the explosion of smartphones, smart speakers, and in-dash entertainment systems. They've come a long way from trading mixtapes and CDs!
Source => buzzsprout.com

9. Seniors Fastest-Growing Podcast Audience

Who said older folks can't hop on the bandwagon and join the cool kids' club? They've got podcasts down to a tee: In fact, over one-fourth of Americans aged 55 and over are tuning into podcasts on a monthly basis, making them the fastest-growing podcast audience with a 10% increase in listenership in just the last year.
Source => buzzsprout.com

Cupid Strikes Podcast Romance

10. Cupid Strikes Podcast Romance

When Cupid meets Podcast: a perfect millennial match made in audio-sphere heaven! "We Met At Acme" is an OG dating podcast that explores the complex world of romance through interviews with dating experts, celebrities, and influencers, while dishing out advice, red flags, and valuable therapy insights.
Source => podcasts.apple.com

11. Podcast Ad Revenues Hit $2 Billion by 2023

Podcasts: tickling ears and emptying wallets since the early 2000s! Turns out those ad breaks in your daily audio indulgence aren't just for entertainment purposes: SEMrush reveals that podcast ad revenue is predicted to soar over a whopping $2 billion by 2023. With 20% of listeners more susceptible to support the brands advertised on their cherished podcasts and a fascinating 60% admitting to seeking out products mentioned during episodes, 'investing in good eargasms' may well be the new mantra for marketers to spread their brand's allure.
Source => influencermarketinghub.com

12. Podcast Ads Bring Laughter to the Economy

Who says laughter isn't the best medicine for a floundering economy? Podcast ads are curing the world, one dollar at a time: In 2020, the US podcast advertising revenue grew by 19.7%, reaching $842 million, a notable increase from the $708 million in the year prior, according to the U.S. Podcast Advertising Revenue Study by IAB and PwC. This healing trend is expected to continue for the next two years, achieving more growth in this short period than it did in the past decade.
Source => iab.com

13. The Global Podcast Train Gains Momentum

Podcasts: all ears on deck, as the world tunes into this babelin' bonanza! Make way for a cacophony of conversationalists and an avalanche of audible adventures: as of 2023, over 464.7 million people have hopped aboard the podcast train globally, with the number expected to chug along to 504.9 million by 2024. While Uncle Sam's backyard boasts the highest number of eavesdroppers—topping 100 million—those spiffy Scandinavians take the cake for podcast penetration rates. And worry not, polyglots, for this global gabfest caters to over 150 languages, right at your fingertips!
Source => demandsage.com

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