Female Podcast Listenership Triples in Ten Years

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Edison Research

A landmark study released by Edison Research and SiriusXM Media reveals a significant surge in female podcast listenership over the past decade. According to the "Women's Audio Report: Women & Podcasts," monthly podcast consumption among U.S. women has tripled since 2015, from 15% to 45%.

This comprehensive report, the first of a two-part webinar series, not only sheds light on the substantial growth in listenership but also delves into the evolving patterns of how women engage with podcast media. Megan Lazovick, Vice President at Edison Research, and Melissa Paris, Vice President of Sales Research at SiriusXM Media, co-presented the findings.

Key findings highlight a dynamic shift in consumption and engagement:

• Explosive Growth: Monthly female podcast listenership has increased to an estimated 60 million women in the U.S.

• Diverse Media Consumption: Including both audio and video formats, 52% of women aged 18 and older now engage with podcasts regularly.

• Young, Affluent, and Educated: A significant portion of female podcast consumers are between 18-34 years old, earn over $100,000 annually, and hold college degrees.

Women are not just passive listeners; they engage deeply with podcast content. According to the study:

• Engagement and Motivation: 53% listen to explore topics in-depth, 46% to learn, and 44% for entertainment.

• Commercial Engagement: 75% of women who have heard ads on podcasts took action as a result, indicating high commercial engagement.

"Female monthly podcast listenership has tripled in ten years - that's worth repeating," emphasized Melissa Paris. "The integration of video has also played a crucial role, with 33% of women now watching podcasts. This brings total monthly podcast consumption to 52% among women."

Lazovick highlighted the significance of supporting female-led content: "Investing in authentic female voices that resonate with women's experiences isn't just the right thing to do-it's smart business. Women's voices are a powerful market force that deserves recognition and support."

The study methodology included 2,520 interviews with women who had listened to audio content in the last month, ensuring the data accurately reflects the age, ethnicity, and geographic distribution of the U.S. female population.

Looking forward, Edison Research and SiriusXM Media are set to expand this research with their next report focusing on women and music consumption, slated for presentation on April 29.

The Women's Audio Report draws on several Edison Research sources, including the Infinite Dial series, Share of Ear daily diary listening study, and Edison Podcast Metrics, providing a robust analysis of current trends in women's audio consumption.