When you hear the phrase “podcasts around the world” do you think of popular U.S. podcasts spreading their listenership? Perhaps your mind jumps to the influence of podcasts in other countries, ones the U.S. market hasn’t heard of. Maybe it’s a mix of both.
For this Mr. Thrive Media blog post, we decided we want to know what podcasts around the world look like. As a marketing and podcast production agency, we’re confident in saying we have a good amount of experience with podcasts. That experience, however, is focused on the United States. There’s so much more in the world to explore.
In our conversation about podcasts around the world we turned to Red Española, our Digital Marketer. Red lives in the Philippines and her perspective of podcasts from a Filipino standpoint showed us why we needed to write this post.
From the role podcasts play in Filipino culture to the rise in podcast popularity in the Philippines, there’s a lot to chat about. We’ll dive into podcasting in the Philippines as a picture of how podcasts are popular and are growing outside of the U.S. podcast market.
We’ll also discuss podcasts around the world beyond the U.S. and the Philippines. From accessibility to differences in podcasts around the world, read on to learn how podcasts are a part of everyone’s lives.
Why Podcasts are Prevalent In the U.S.
When it comes to the global podcast market, many minds go to the U.S. first. Podcast statistics show that the industry in the states is booming, and it continues to grow at a steady rate.
Currently, 78% of people in the U.S. are aware of podcasts. The U.S. has the most active podcast listeners around the world, with an estimate that 2023 will see over 100 million active listeners.
When we think about these numbers our main question is, why? Why are podcasts so prevalent in the United States? Well, it comes down to ease of use. Podcasts are one of the easiest forms of media to consume and enjoy. You can listen to them anywhere–your couch, your car, or your desk at work.
The pace of life in the U.S. has sped up exponentially. With that increase in expectations, we’ve found ourselves needing something that helps us relax without slowing down. Podcasts fit that bill.
Podcast Popularity Around the World
There’s no denying the U.S. is a hub for podcast industry growth. We’ve seen advancements in recent years that have boosted podcasting industry-wide. Those advancements have also been happening around the world.
In the Philippines, for example, podcasts have grown from a form of entertainment into an essential marketing tool. They’re used by industry professionals to showcase their expertise and find new ways to reach their audience. More and more companies have been launching podcasts to increase brand awareness and promote products and services.
There’s also a great deal of cross-content production in the podcast industry in the Philippines. Podcasters post their episodes everywhere, from YouTube to TikTok. This allows them to reach a wider audience and provides a more engaging and visually appealing form of podcast content. The vodcast market is strong, and it continues to grow.
The growth of podcasts in the Philippines and worldwide shows us how podcasts are becoming a global form of communication. The more we’re aware of how podcasts connect us, the more we can work to bridge country and continental divides in the industry.
Language and Accessibility In Podcasting
Not every podcast produced around the world is immediately accessible for global listeners. With language barriers, internet access varying across countries, and community practices around communication, there are things to consider when you’re making a podcast. If you’re looking to reach a global audience, podcast accessibility is key.
Here in the U.S. we’re used to English being thought of as a universal language. When we provide closed captions, we provide them primarily in English. For podcasts around the world to be accessible for everyone, we need to shift that thinking.
When you’re making a podcast, a step toward accessibility is investing in closed captions and transcripts that can be provided in different languages. It’s an extra step, but it makes your podcast available to so many new listeners.
If you’re listening to podcasts from around the world, keep an eye out for podcasters who provide for other languages. Those are the spaces where accessibility will take leaps forward.
Podcast Differences Worldwide
When it comes to podcast differences worldwide we’re focusing on the Philippines and our connection with Red. Red has become an integral part of the Mr. Thrive team. When we asked her about podcasts around the world and the Philippines specifically we were, as usual, impressed with her response and thoughtfulness.
Red started by saying “As a Filipino who loves consuming media, I have become increasingly interested in podcasts in recent years. They have become a significant part of the social media scene in the Philippines, providing a unique platform for personal and intimate conversations.”
That view of podcasts sounded familiar to us. It’s something folks would have said about podcasts when they were ramping up in the U.S. back in the 2010s and early 2020s. That connection to the early U.S. podcast scene is a common theme for countries with growing podcast markets.
Red also shared how diversified the podcast scene in the Philippines is. She stated, “There are many homegrown podcasts that offer unique insights into Filipino culture and society. They’re an excellent way for people to learn more about their own country. However, there are also many popular podcasts from the US and other countries that have gained a following in the Philippines.”
Celebrities in the Philippines have started venturing into the podcasting industry. Famous folks from a range of fields–entertainment, sports, politics, and business–have tapped into the use of podcasts. They’re connecting with their audiences in personal ways.
This is another connection to U.S. podcasting. In the U.S. celebrities, from actors to politicians, have started podcasts to connect with their audiences. As we talked with Red about podcasts around the world, ultimately we found the differences were less than expected. They’re more about being diversified and still connected. That’s a goal we can all strive toward in podcasts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Worldwide Podcasting
The amazing thing about podcasts around the world is how similar the community is across the globe, yet it’s still growing in different ways. While we can see connections, there are still pockets of unique podcasting around the world.
Because of that mix of similar and different areas of the industry, there’s always more we can learn. It’s important to note that, when we look into these frequently asked questions, we’re looking from an IP address based in the United States.
While we’re asking the questions, we’re aware that these answers may be different in other countries, and they’ll certainly change in coming years. As the global podcast community gets closer, we’ll find more answers, but for now, read on!
What Is the Top Podcast In the World?
The top podcast in the world, from a listener standpoint, is The Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan’s podcast has more than 11 million listeners each episode. Even if you don’t listen to the podcast, you’re sure to have heard of The Joe Rogan Experience in the world of podcasts.
How Many Podcasts Are In the world?
There are more than 5 million podcasts in the world. The history of podcasting shows how this number has grown since the first podcasts in the early 2000s. A large number of podcast listeners are in the U.S., and the podcast numbers reflect that. That said, countries around the world have podcast markets in various stages of growth.
How Do I Find Interesting Podcasts?
Finding interesting podcasts is as easy as doing a search online for a topic you’re interested in, paired with the word “podcast.” Whatever your interests are, odds are there is a podcast out there with a focus on what you’re looking to learn more about. With so many podcasts available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, you can use whatever streaming platform you like best.
Which Country Consumes the Most Podcasts?
The United States consumes the most podcasts. There are over 100 million active podcast listeners in the U.S., and that number continues to grow. While other countries continue to grow their podcast industries, the U.S. has been on the podcast train for several decades now. The listenership reflects how podcasts have become a part of U.S. culture.
GPS: Global Podcasting Systems In Action
Podcasts around the world create a community that goes beyond any country’s borders. Here at Mr. Thrive, we’re a team of podcast enthusiasts working across two countries–so far. Our company is an example of not only podcast enthusiasts around the world, but also podcast and marketing industry professionals without borders.
Through our partnership with VASA, a VA agency, we’re linked into the global network of people who work with podcasts and marketing. If you’re looking to tap into the global industry of podcasts and marketing, check out our virtual assistant services or reach out to Mr. Thrive Media today!