Listening figures dip for podcasts and web radio services, while music streaming platforms continue to gain traction
In the ever-evolving world of media, podcasts have become a significant player, with Germany seeing a substantial increase in their popularity. Here's a breakdown of the latest findings from the Online Audio Monitor, a survey conducted by mindline media and several media authorities and associations.
Spotify reigns as the number one podcast service, with 50.1% of listeners tuning in. However, YouTube follows closely in second place with 43.0%. Interestingly, smart TVs have emerged as the second most used device for online audio, with 41.2% of listeners. The smartphone, unsurprisingly, remains the preferred device for online audio, used by 83.7% of listeners.
The most popular podcast genre in Germany is Entertainment/Comedy, with 48.0% of listeners tuning in. Information, knowledge, and learning contributions come in second, attracting 46.0% of listeners. News podcasts are the third most popular, with 42.0% of listeners, while Crime/Mystery podcasts have shown the highest growth rate, increasing from 24.9% to 36.2% since 2023.
The overall increase in online audio service usage is attributed to music streaming. In fact, 42.0% of podcast consumers also watch video formats. The long-term trend for podcast listeners is upward, with the number of podcast listeners increasing from fewer than 10 million in 2018 to 24.8 million in 2024. This growth has led to 23.8 million people aged 14 and above in Germany listening to podcasts at least occasionally.
Heavy podcast listeners, those who listen to at least 2 hours per week, make up 53.6% of the audience. Interestingly, the majority of heavy podcast listeners are aged 30-49. A significant portion of these heavy listeners, 6.1%, listen to more than 10 hours per week.
The rise of podcasts in Germany is not limited to any age group. In fact, podcast listening is widespread across all age groups, with roughly half of Germans aged 16 and over listening to podcasts occasionally or regularly.
In conclusion, podcasts have become a vital part of the media landscape in Germany, with a wide variety of genres appealing to a broad audience. As technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this trend continues to grow.
