YouTube has solidified its reign over the podcasting world, announcing today that it now boasts over 1 billion monthly active viewers for podcast content globally. The platform, long a video juggernaut, is reshaping how we consume podcasts, with 400 million hours watched monthly on living room devices in 2024 alone. In the U.S., YouTube commands 31% of weekly podcast listeners, outpacing Spotify’s 27% and Apple Podcasts’ 15%, according to recent listener surveys. This milestone, paired with a growing video-first trend, signals a seismic shift in the industry—and competitors are scrambling to respond.
Spotify is still a formidable rival
Spotify, with 602 million total users (236 million premium) across 180+ markets, remains a formidable rival. It reports 42.4 million monthly U.S. podcast listeners and a global listener preference of 37%. With over 6 million titles and a video podcast library that soared to 250,000 in 2024—viewed by 170 million users—Spotify’s betting big on versatility. U.S. listeners average 8.3 episodes weekly, a testament to its sticky platform. “They’re not just holding ground; they’re pushing boundaries with video and exclusives,” notes industry observer Alex Carter on X.
Apple dominates downloads
Apple Podcasts, once the undisputed king, is losing steam. Its 28.5 million U.S. listeners from 2022 likely crept to 29.2 million by now, with a global preference of 33%. Hosting 2.76 million podcasts and 99 million episodes, Apple still dominates downloads—71% of the total—but up to 31% may go unplayed. Its ecosystem keeps it relevant, yet it’s struggling to innovate. “Apple’s asleep at the wheel while YouTube eats their lunch,” quipped an X user today.
YouTube’s edge lies in its 2 billion logged-in users and visual pull, amplified by stars like Joe Rogan and newcomers MeidasTouch, who hit 57.7 million monthly downloads/views. Spotify counters with depth, Apple with legacy—but the momentum’s clearly YouTube’s. As one X post put it, “Podcasts aren’t just audio anymore; they’re a screen game, and YouTube’s winning.”
The question now: can rivals adapt fast enough to reclaim the mic?
