Cumulus, Signal Hill Release Fall 2025 Podcast Report
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, November 17, 2025 | 2:44pm CT |
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 Cumulus Media, Signal Hill |
Cumulus Media, in partnership with Signal Hill Insights, has released the Podcast Download -- Fall 2025 Report, offering a detailed look at the latest behaviors and trends among weekly podcast consumers. Now in its fifteenth edition, the study continues Cumulus Media's ongoing effort to share research and insights with the podcasting industry.
A major takeaway from this year's report is the widening divide between listeners who prefer audio-only podcasts and those who choose to watch them. The study found YouTube usage at an all-time high among weekly podcast listeners, driven largely by growing interest in watchable podcasts.
"In our continued focus on YouTube and watchable podcasts, this edition of the Podcast Download reveals YouTube at an all-time high for consumption," said Elizabeth Mayer, Senior Insights Manager of the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group. "Regardless of tenure or heavy usage, YouTube remains in the top spot, which speaks to podcast consumers seeking out watchable podcasts. Twelve percent of weekly podcast consumers use Smart TVs-where video components are intuitive and easy to access-to listen to podcasts."
Despite YouTube's surge, the report underscores that audio remains the dominant mode of consumption. Paul Riismandel, President and CEO of Signal Hill Insights, noted, "While we see yet another bump in the preference to use YouTube for podcasts, we don't see notable change in the number of weekly podcast consumers who are only watching their podcasts. This segment remains a tiny minority-just 8% in this report."
Key highlights from the Fall 2025 report include:
- Video-leaning listeners gravitate toward 'chatcasts.' Those who prefer video spend more time with interview- and discussion-based shows, while audio-only fans lean toward narrative formats.
- Audio-only listeners consume more on the go. These listeners spend more time listening in the car and on mobile devices.
- Watchable podcasts continue to rise. Growth is led by Podcast Newcomers, who increasingly prefer content with a video option-whether actively watching or minimizing the screen to listen.
- Audio still dominates. A strong majority-92%-of weekly podcast consumers say they primarily listen rather than watch.
- Smart TVs gain traction. Twelve percent of weekly podcast listeners tune in via Smart TV, far outpacing smart speakers at just 2%.
The full Podcast Download - Fall 2025 Report is available at CumulusPodcastNetwork.com.
