Podcast Celebration Day Globally: Top American Podcast Selections and Listening Trends
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital media, podcasts have become a popular choice for millions of Americans. According to a survey conducted in September 2024, an average of 4.1 hours per week is spent by listeners tuning into their favourite podcasts, with some states spending considerably more time.
The survey, which polled 3,000 American podcast listeners, with an average age of 36.7 years old, revealed that the Joe Rogan Experience is the most popular podcast in 23 states. However, it is NPR News Now that takes the top spot nationwide, followed closely by The Daily from The New York Times.
The survey also shed light on the demographics of podcast listeners. It revealed that 59.7% of respondents were female, 38.5% male, 1.5% non-binary, and 0.4% transgender.
As for listening habits, the top activity for podcast consumption is doing chores, accounting for 35.7% of the respondents. A significant number of listeners tune in during their commute (20.5%), at work (11.7%), before bed (10.4%), and during exercise or a walk (12.6%).
The survey found that Oregon residents spend the most time listening to podcasts, averaging 5.6 hours per week, while Rhode Island residents spend the least, at 1.9 hours per week. Interestingly, three states - North Dakota, Nevada, and Maine - and three unspecified states spend 3 hours per week listening to podcasts, while Louisiana and Washington residents spend 2.9 and 5.8 hours per week, respectively. Oklahoma residents lead the pack with an average of 6.1 hours per week.
The survey data also highlighted the diversity of popular podcast genres. News and true crime podcasts, such as NPR News Now, The Daily, and Crime Junkie, which is the second most popular podcast in 6 states, hold significant audience reach. Sports commentary and storytelling podcasts, like The Ben Shapiro Show, My Favorite Murder, and This American Life, also remain popular.
In terms of podcast platforms, Spotify and Apple Podcasts are the dominant apps, accounting for about 35.4% and 33.2% of podcast downloads, respectively. YouTube Music has also emerged as a major hub for podcast listening, reaching over 1 billion listeners annually.
One of the most intriguing developments in 2024 was the rise of New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce into the top 10, attributed partly to the "Taylor Swift Effect."
In conclusion, the top US podcasts in 2024 reflect a mix of news, true crime, sports commentary, and storytelling genres, with NPR, The New York Times, and major media networks leading audience reach. The survey data provides valuable insights into the preferences and habits of podcast listeners, offering valuable information for content creators and marketers alike.
[1] Podtrac, June 2025 [2] YouTube, 2025 [3] Variety, 2024
In the realm of Digital Lifestyle, it's interesting to note the integration of podcasts into people's entertainment on various platforms. For instance, a blog post on technology trends could delve into the growth of podcast consumption, mentioning YouTube Music as an emerging hub for podcast listeners, following Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Furthermore, the survey findings reveal that podcast genres span from news and true crime to sports commentary and storytelling, with shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, NPR News Now, and Crime Junkie garnering significant listener bases.
