US podcast rankings shift: NPR News Now maintains top spot in July 2024

Triton Digital, a leading provider of technology and services to the digital audio industry, this week released its US Podcast Ranker for July 2024. The report, which covers the period from July 1 to July 28, 2024, offers insights into the most popular podcasts and sales networks in the United States-based on average weekly downloads and users.

Triton Digital's Podcast Metrics measurement service, certified by the IAB Tech Lab, aims to provide transparent and validated podcast audience data. This service eliminates inconsistencies in measurement practices and self-reported data, offering a standardized approach to podcast analytics. The ranking system adheres to version 2.1 of the IAB Podcast Technical Measurement Guidelines, ensuring a level playing field for all participants.

The July 2024 report reveals both consistencies and changes in podcast consumption patterns. NPR News Now, produced by National Public Media, maintained its position at the top of the rankings for both downloads and listeners. This achievement underscores the enduring appeal of concise, regularly updated news content in the podcast format.

Following closely behind NPR News Now in the download rankings were Up First, also from NPR, and Dateline NBC from NBCUniversal News Group. These top-ranking podcasts demonstrate the continued popularity of news and true crime content among podcast listeners. In terms of listener numbers, Crime Junkie by audiochuck secured the second spot, with NPR's Up First rounding out the top three.

The report also highlighted shifts in the podcast landscape, with several new entries making their debut in the rankings. Notable newcomers included Cancelled with Tana Mongeau from Audioboom, Bongino Report Early Edition with Evita from Cumulus Podcast Network, and The Steve Harvey Morning Show from iHeart Audience Network. These debuts reflect the dynamic nature of the podcast industry and the constant influx of new content vying for listeners' attention.

In the realm of true crime content, a genre that has consistently performed well in podcast rankings, Dateline: Missing in America from NBCUniversal News Group made its first appearance in the download rankings. This debut suggests an ongoing appetite for investigative journalism and storytelling in the podcast medium.

The report also shed light on the performance of podcast sales networks. iHeart Audience Network maintained its position at the top of the Sales Networks Report, boasting impressive figures of 66.4 million average weekly downloads and 18.4 million average weekly users. These numbers underscore iHeart's significant reach and influence in the podcast advertising space.

SiriusXM Podcast Network secured the second position in the sales network rankings, with 38.5 million average weekly downloads and 12.8 million average weekly users. NPR followed in third place, recording 25.3 million average weekly downloads and 6.3 million average weekly users. These figures highlight the competitive nature of the podcast advertising market and the substantial audiences that top networks can deliver to advertisers.

The podcast industry's growth and evolution are reflected in the diversity of content represented in the rankings. From news and true crime to comedy and lifestyle shows, the July 2024 report demonstrates the broad spectrum of podcast genres capturing audience attention. This variety suggests that podcast listeners have diverse interests and that there are opportunities for content creators across multiple niches.

One notable trend observed in the rankings is the strong performance of daily news podcasts. The consistent top rankings of shows like NPR News Now and Up First indicate that many listeners are turning to podcasts as a primary source of news and current affairs information. This trend may be driven by the convenience of podcast consumption and the ability to stay informed while multitasking.

The report also reveals the importance of established media brands in the podcast space. Many of the top-ranking podcasts are produced by well-known media organizations such as NPR, NBCUniversal, and iHeart. These companies leverage their existing audience base and production expertise to create popular podcast content.

However, the presence of independent podcasts and newer entrants in the rankings suggests that there is still room for growth and innovation in the industry. Shows like Crime Junkie, produced by audiochuck, demonstrate that independent producers can compete successfully with major media corporations in attracting and retaining podcast listeners.

The Triton Digital US Podcast Ranker serves as a valuable tool for industry professionals, advertisers, and content creators. By providing standardized metrics, the report allows for meaningful comparisons between podcasts and helps stakeholders make informed decisions about content production, advertising placements, and audience targeting.

As the podcast industry continues to mature, the importance of reliable measurement and ranking systems grows. Triton Digital's efforts to provide transparent, IAB-certified data contribute to the professionalization of the podcast medium and support its development as a mainstream form of media consumption and advertising.

The July 2024 report offers a snapshot of a thriving and competitive podcast landscape in the United States. As new shows emerge and listening habits evolve, future reports will likely reveal further shifts in podcast popularity and audience engagement. Industry observers will be keen to see how these trends develop and what new insights subsequent rankings may provide about the state of podcast consumption in America.

Key facts

NPR News Now maintained the top spot for both downloads and listeners in July 2024

iHeart Audience Network led the Sales Networks Report with 66.4M average weekly downloads

New entries in the rankings included Cancelled with Tana Mongeau and Dateline: Missing in America

Daily news podcasts showed strong performance in the rankings

The report covered the period from July 1 to July 28, 2024

Triton Digital's Podcast Metrics is certified by the IAB Tech Lab

The rankings adhere to version 2.1 of the IAB Podcast Technical Measurement Guidelines