Data: 25% increase in podcast listening on BBC Sounds
December 20, 2021
In 2021 (January to November) there have been 1.3 billion plays of radio, music and podcast on BBC Sounds, an increase of 8 per cent over a similar period in 2020, as listeners enjoy more brilliant BBC audio on their devices.
The latest figures from the BBC also show there were 558 million plays of podcasts and on demand radio programmes on BBC Sounds in the UK in 2021, with a nearly 25 per cent increase in podcast listening compared to the same period last year. On demand listening for music mixes on BBC Sounds also increased, up by 24 per cent compared with the previous year.
The top ten most popular podcasts of 2021 in the UK (based on BBC Sounds plays between January and November) were:
- Newscast
- You’re Dead To Me
- Fortunately… with Fi and Jane
- That Peter Crouch Podcast
- Americast
- Grounded with Louis Theroux
- Just One Thing with Michael Mosley
- Nuremberg: The Trial of the Nazi War Criminals
- The Battersea Poltergeist
- Match of the Day: Top 10
Jonathan Wall, Controller of BBC Sounds, said: “Listening to podcasts and music mixes has really grown again this year, with new music and podcast tabs on BBC Sounds making it even easier for listeners to find audio to suit what they’re looking for. It’s great to see our firm favourites and brilliant big name talent continuing to delight the audience, as well as new titles prove to be really popular this year.”