The latest data from Edison Research’s The Podcast Consumer 2026 report highlights a trend that should capture the attention of every marketer: Americans are spending more time with podcasts than ever before.
According to new research released by Edison Research and SSRS, Americans now spend an estimated 812 million hours per week consuming podcasts. That’s nearly four times the amount of time spent with podcasts compared to a decade ago.*
While audience growth often generates the headlines, total listening time may be an even more important metric for advertisers. It reflects not only how many people are listening, but how deeply podcasts have become woven into consumers’ daily lives. Today, podcasts accompany listeners during commutes, workouts, travel, household chores, and countless other moments throughout the day.
As Gabriel Soto, Senior Director of Research at Edison Research, noted, “Total podcast consumption time, a measure that accounts for both consumer growth and the increase in time we commit to podcasts, showcases to advertisers just how massive the medium has become. Ten years ago, I remember having to teach college friends how to listen to stand-up comedy podcasts on their journeys to class. Today, I study how that medium evolved into a mainstream cultural staple, a staple in the marketing playbook that advertisers cannot ignore.”
The latest Edison Research data confirms that podcasting has evolved into a mainstream media channel that continues to grow in both reach and engagement. With 812 million hours of weekly consumption and sustained year-over-year growth, podcast advertising should be a key consideration for marketers and business leaders looking to maximize results in the second half of 2026.
*Source: https://podnews.net/update/total-hours-podcasts-26
