Welcome to This Week in Podcasting, where we recap some of the latest updates and news from the world of podcasting. From King Charles III launching his own podcast, to new research and features you need to know about – let’s get into it!
- King Charles III launches his own podcast
That’s right, King Charles III has become the first British monarch to launch his own podcast – The King’s Music Room. Recorded at Buckingham Palace in his personal office, in honour of Commonwealth Day, the exclusive collaboration with Apple Music features a playlist showcasing music from across the Commonwealth. Including genres like Afrobeats, reggae, and disco, the podcast reflects the King’s personal tastes and global experiences, along with personal anecdotes about the artists and songs that have shaped his life.
- iHeartPodcast Award winners announced
The iHeartPodcast Awards 2025 took place last week, celebrating the biggest and brightest names in the world of podcasting. Hosted at SXSW in Austin, Texas, iHeartRadio hosted their 7th annual iHeartPodcast Awards, celebrating podcasters across almost 30 categories – read all about it in our latest post here!
- New Research finds US podcast consumption reaches record high
The Infinite Dial® 2025 report by Edison Research reveals record levels of podcast consumption in the U.S., with 70% of Americans aged 12 and older having listened to a podcast. This marks a significant milestone as 55% of Americans are now monthly podcast consumers. The report also highlights the growing trend of video integration in podcasts, with 48% of Americans engaging with podcasts in both audio and video formats – take a look at the full report here for more interesting findings!
- Formula 1 joins the podcast scene
BBC Studios Productions has launched The Inside Track, a new podcast offering exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Oracle Red Bull Racing during the 2025 Formula 1 season. Hosted by Matt Majendie, who has full access to the Red Bull F1 team, and Rick Edwards, the podcast will provide listeners with unique insights into the team’s operations and the season’s drama.
- Dedicated ‘Podcast’ tab available more widely on YouTube
YouTube continues to live up to its title of being the top podcasting platform in the US. The platform recently expanded its podcast offerings by introducing a dedicated ‘Podcasts’ tab on the Android TV app, allowing users to easily discover and access podcasts without needing to navigate through individual channels – you can read more about the new feature here.
- 3rd annual Podcasthon champions over 1500 charities
This week saw the 3rd annual Podcasthon taking place – the world’s largest podcast charity initiative, uniting podcasters globally to raise awareness for charitable causes. Founded in 2023 with 300 French-speaking podcasters, it grew to over 400 in 2024 and is only set to continue growing across the globe. Find out more about Podcasthon and its inspirational founders here, and view this year’s podcasts – over 1500! – supporting their chosen charitable organisations here.
Missed last week’s news recap? From exciting events and awards announced, to icons like the former First Lady Michelle Obama and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, entering the podcast space, you can read all about last week’s news updates here.
While you’re here don’t forget to share your podcast stories, news, awards, events or anything else happening in your podcast world with our team. DM us on social media or email us at: thepodcastsessions@gmail.com
