October Was Another Record Setting Month for ESPN Podcasts

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, November 16, 2018

ESPN Audio

For the second straight month and third time in 2018, ESPN Podcasts set a record for any month in its history with 43.6 million IAB compliant downloads in October, as measured by RawVoice. September had seen 39.3 million downloads, the previous high. The October, 2018 figure reflects an increase of 31% over the year-ago period and includes a record 11 titles each driving over a million downloads. for the year to date, ESPN has 344.9 million downloads, more than 2017's total and an increase through October of 55%.

"ESPN Podcasts continues to set new highs," said VP/DIgital Strategy and Marketing Tom Ricks. "This kind of growth in a year comes from new story telling with the 30 for 30 series, the addition of compelling new personalities and from signature voices and shows. We're excited for where ESPN's podcast business is going."

In addition, ESPN Podcasts tallied a total of 6.3 million U.S. Unique Audience, as measured by Podtrac, a new monthly record and an increase of 31% vs. October 2017. Leading the way among original productions, "Fantasy Focus Football" posted 4.2 million total IAB compliant downloads, up 18% over October 2017.

Overall, the list of top performers includes many ESPN Radio and television shows. "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" led the way with 8.3 million downloads, followed by "Fantasy Focus Football," "538: Politics" at 3.4 million, "First Take" at 3 million and "Pardon the Interruption" at 2.9 million, a new monthly record for the show. Additionally, "Golic and Wingo," "Jalen & Jacoby," "30 for 30," "The Lowe Post," "The Stephen A. Smith Show" and "Baseball Tonight" also each drove over a million October downloads.