Last updated July 31, 2024 – 5:04 p.m.
Podcast listening is at an all-time high, with 12.3 million people aged 15 and over in the UK currently listening to podcasts, according to RAJAR's Q2 2024 results.
The new record reflects changing listener habits and growing demand for podcasts and on-demand content as digital audiences grow.
Michael Mosley's 'Just One Thing' (Radio 4) was the second most-listened-to podcast on BBC Sounds in Q2 2024. His final interview on 'How to Live a Good Life', broadcast live from Hay Festival, was the best-performing episode of the series.
BBC Sounds had several new speaking titles including 'Miss Me?' starring Lily Allen and Mikita Oliver, popular with younger audiences, the headline-grabbing revival of hugely popular Radio 4 show 'To Catch A Scorpion' (the latest series of the Intrigue series) and 'History's Secret Heroes' narrated by Helena Bonham Carter.
Listeners continue to turn to BBC Sounds for their podcasts and on-demand programming. BBC Radio 4 spoken word content continues to dominate the top 10 podcasts on BBC Sounds, with eight of the 10 titles coming from the station, including comedies such as “It's a Fair Cop,” drama series “Limelight,” and returning titles such as popular “History's Secret Heroes” and “Uncanny.”
The BBC received 34 nominations at the British Podcast Awards and has received acclaim across a wide range of genres, demonstrating the content available to audiences on BBC Sounds.
BBC Sounds figures continued to perform well in the second quarter, with total plays across all content across radio, podcasts and mixed music reaching 608 million, up around 5% year-on-year.
According to the data, the average weekly audience was 4.88 million, with a peak of 5 million weekly users.
Jonathan Wall, director of BBC Sounds, said: “BBC Sounds has once again reached five million listeners this quarter and continues to entertain audiences with a wide range of top class content, including live shows and fantastic podcasts.”
“We'd like to pay special tribute to two podcast stars who have sadly passed away during this period. Rob Barrow and the team at Radio Leeds produced a truly special series of interviews and Rob's bravery in the face of adversity was inspirational.”
“Michael Mosley is one of the greats of podcasting and, together with the team at Radio 4, he built a tradition of programming that listeners will continue to enjoy. We will miss you Michael and Rob and our hearts go out to your friends and family.”
