By the numbers
Podcast statistics for 2026, for anyone considering a podcast tour
Last updated: November 2026
Podcasts reach a large, attentive audience: iHeartMedia reports 158 million monthly listeners, 55% of Americans. This page collects published 2026 podcast statistics with their sources, then separately lists the figures Ace Branding states about its own work, so thought leaders can weigh a podcast tour on evidence.
How many people listen to podcasts in 2026?
In the US, iHeartMedia reports 158 million monthly podcast consumers, 55% of Americans. Podcastatistics gives the same share, around 158 million people listening every month. Globally, Searchlab counts 672 million listeners. Each figure is quoted below exactly as its source publishes it.
Published podcast statistics, with sources
55%
With 158 million monthly consumers, 55% of Americans are regularly tuning into podcasts.
26%
In the US, 26% of the population listens to podcasts every day, citing Edison Research.
7 hours
On average, podcast listeners spend about 7 hours per week listening to their favorite shows.
65%
Premium episodes achieve 65% of their total month-one audience footprint within the first 7 days of publication in 2026, according to Libsyn first-party data.
Source: Libsyn, Podcast Statistics 2026
672 million
Searchlab counts 672 million global listeners and describes a $28.6 billion industry.
$39.63 billion
The global podcast industry is expected to reach $39.63 billion this year, up from $30.72 billion in 2024.
Note that the two market size figures differ: Podcastatistics gives $39.63 billion and Searchlab gives $28.6 billion. They come from different sources using different methods, so treat market size as a range of published estimates rather than one settled number.
What these numbers mean for a podcast guest
Three points stand out. First, the audience is broad: more than half of Americans listen monthly, so almost any field has listeners. Second, attention is deep: about 7 hours a week with favorite shows means listeners spend real time with the voices they choose. Third, timing matters: Libsyn’s data shows most of an episode’s first-month audience arrives in the first 7 days, so sharing each appearance promptly with your own network is worth doing. None of these figures predicts the result of any single tour. They describe the medium, not a guarantee of reach for one guest.
Figures Ace Branding states about its own work
These are Ace Branding’s own numbers from acebranding.com, as of November 2026, not independent research. The firm’s homepage lists 12 years of experience, 1523 clients served, 4773 articles published, and 100M+ podcast reach. Its FAQ separately states that the team has served approximately 1,500 clients and secured over 5,000 media features, and its publishing service lists more than 800 publications across the US and worldwide. Ace Branding also quotes Ad Week: “81% of consumers conduct online research before making buying decisions.” See how we use these figures.
From numbers to a plan
Statistics show the size of the opportunity. A tour map decides whether you reach the right part of it. Read the main guide to podcast tours or podcast tours for thought leaders to see how Ace Branding narrows a large audience to the listeners in your niche.
Common questions
- Are podcast tours worth it in 2026?
- For many experts, yes, because listeners spend real time with shows. Podcastatistics reports that listeners spend about 7 hours per week with their favorite shows, and Libsyn reports premium episodes reach 65% of their month-one audience within 7 days. Whether a tour is worth it for you depends on your goals, niche, and readiness to speak.
- Why do people book podcast tours?
- People book podcast tours to reach engaged listeners, become better known in their field, and earn credibility through long-form conversation. The audience is large: iHeartMedia reports that 55% of Americans, about 158 million people, regularly tune into podcasts each month. Ace Branding positions its tours as a way to amplify reach and solidify presence in a niche.
- What is podcast reach?
- Podcast reach describes how many listeners the shows you appear on can put you in front of. Ace Branding states a podcast reach of 100M+ on its website. That figure is the firm’s own number across its work, and the reach of any individual tour depends on which shows are booked for that guest.
- How do I measure the results of a podcast tour?
- Agree on measures before the tour starts. Useful measures include the number of completed appearances, how well each show’s audience fits, and what listeners do next, such as visiting your site or booking a call. Ask Ace Branding how it reports on your tour and what its guarantee covers.
- How long does it take to get booked on podcasts?
- Ace Branding does not publish a booking timeline on its website. Timing depends on the shows on your tour map and each host’s recording schedule. Ask for an expected timeline during your consultation, and keep in mind that episodes are released on each show’s own publishing calendar.