Welcome to This Week in Podcasting, where we recap some of the latest updates and news from the world of podcasting – from Apple Podcasts releasing their top shows for 2025, to a major podcaster roundtable – let’s get into it!
1. Audio Still Dominates Podcast Consumption
New research from Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights shows that despite the rise of video podcasts, audio remains the primary format for listeners. A huge 92% of respondents said they listen to podcasts rather than watch them, reinforcing that podcasting’s core strength is still audio-first storytelling. You can find the full report here.
2. Apple Podcasts Reveals 2025’s Top Trends
Apple Podcasts has released its annual list of the year’s most popular shows, highlighting true crime, wellness, and personality-driven formats as the leading categories of 2025. The platform also noted strong growth in independent creators and a jump in global listening, with multilingual series gaining more visibility across charts. The top 3 shows in the U.S. were:
You can find the full list here!
3. Podcaster Roundtable Tackles the Industry’s Future
The Hollywood Reporter convened a major roundtable with podcaster’s Ben Shapiro, Dax Shepard, and Mel Robbins, who discussed everything from creator burnout to the economics of ad-supported shows – find the full conversation here.
4. Podcast Hall of Fame Introduces New Class
The Podcast Hall of Fame has unveiled its 2025 inductees, honouring creators and industry leaders whose work has shaped the medium. The new cohort spans early-era pioneers, influential hosts, and behind-the-scenes innovators who helped define modern audio culture. Keep an eye out for the ceremony at Podfest in Orlando early next year.
And that’s it for this week in podcasting! While you’re here, don’t forget to download all our past issues of The Podcast Sessions Magazine – happy reading!
