By Pranab Khan 
The latest report from Podtrac highlights that iHeartPodcasts/podtrac rankings maintained its dominance as the leading podcast publisher in December. With a portfolio of 827 active shows, the network achieved 148 million downloads and streams and reached a unique U.S. audience of 27.9 million. Despite holiday disruptions that impacted podcast listening patterns, iHeartPodcasts retained a commanding lead.
Coming in second was The Walt Disney Company, supported by productions from ABC News and ESPN, among others. Disney recorded 6.8 million unique listeners and 23.1 million downloads. Meanwhile, Vox Media secured the third spot with 5.5 million unique listeners and 17.2 million downloads.
Unique Listener Trends Reflect Holiday Disruptions
The holiday season caused noticeable declines in podcast audiences, as Podtrac reported that nearly all publishers saw reductions in unique listener numbers. The exception was This American Life, which managed a 1% month-to-month increase in unique listeners. However, as a publisher of a single show, it doesn’t follow the typical multi-show model of its competitors.
Sales Networks: iHeart Audience Network Leads the Pack
Among U.S.-measured sales networks, the iHeart Audience Network emerged as the frontrunner, delivering 316.2 million downloads across the more than 20,000 shows it represents. The network also reached 61.2 million unique U.S. listeners, solidifying its leadership position.
Second place went to Acast, which recorded 21.2 million unique listeners, followed by Libsyn with 20.3 million and NPR with 17.9 million. Notably, Wondery — ranked third in November — was absent from the December rankings.
Global Audience Trends Show Seasonal Declines
Globally, the numbers painted a similar picture of seasonal impact, with most publishers and ad networks experiencing month-to-month declines. Nevertheless, the iHeart Audience Network stood out, achieving 627.9 million global streams, downloads, and video views in December. This included an impressive 109 million YouTube views for podcasts available on the video platform.
Acast retained second place globally with 406.3 million streams and downloads, while Libsyn followed with 159.4 million. Sonora Global Media and Paramount rounded out the top five with 96 million and 57.2 million global downloads, respectively.
Additional Note:
iHeartMedia continues to dominate the podcasting industry as the top podcast publisher in December, according to Podtrac’s latest rankings. This sustained success highlights the company’s strategic focus on delivering diverse and engaging content to its audience. For more details on the rankings and insights into the podcasting landscape, read the full report on Inside Radio.
FAQs
What is the significance of iHeartPodcasts leading the rankings?
iHeartPodcasts’ leadership underscores its vast reach and ability to engage listeners through a diverse portfolio of shows, making it a top choice for advertisers and listeners alike.
How did the holiday season affect podcast listening?
The holiday season typically leads to a shift in audience behavior, with fewer people listening to podcasts regularly, contributing to the overall decline in numbers for most publishers.
Why was Wondery absent from the December rankings?
Wondery, which ranked third in November, was excluded from Podtrac’s December measurements for undisclosed reasons, impacting the competitive landscape.
