Short Description:
Edison Research reveals the top podcasts in America for Q4 2025. See which shows are dominating, making big jumps, and what it means for the audio market.
Read Time:
3 minutes, 15 seconds
Main Article
The latest rankings of the top podcasts 2025 are in, providing a critical snapshot of listener habits and podcast audience trends. According to Edison Research’s Q4 2025 report, the top five most-reached podcasts among weekly U.S. listeners held steady: The Joe Rogan Experience, Crime Junkie, The Daily, Call Her Daddy, and SmartLess. However, significant movement beneath them reveals a dynamic and competitive landscape, directly influencing podcast advertising revenue and market strategy for networks and investors.
Notable climbers include beloved mainstays Stuff You Should Know and This American Life, which rose four and five spots, respectively. The report also highlights the rapid ascent of Golden Globe winner Good Hang with Amy Poehler, now at #38, demonstrating how awards can amplify a show’s reach. For advertisers, these podcast ranking data points are essential for targeting engaged, loyal audiences. Meanwhile, several top 25 shows, including This American Life and New Heights, were notably absent from Golden Globes eligibility, raising questions about award criteria versus true mainstream popularity.
For the finance and advertising sectors, these metrics are more than just a list; they are a barometer for podcast market growth. New entrants like The Diary Of A CEO and Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce breaking into the Top 50 signal fresh opportunities for brand partnerships. Conversely, a dramatic 30-rank drop for The Charlie Kirk Show underscores the volatility in audience loyalty. As podcast advertising revenue continues its upward trajectory, this quarterly data from Edison Podcast Metrics serves as an indispensable tool for allocating marketing budgets and valuing media properties in an increasingly crowded audio ecosystem.
Short Summary
Edison Research’s Q4 2025 rankings show a stable top tier but significant movement underneath, with key shows climbing and new entrants breaking through. This data is vital for understanding podcast audience trends and informing advertising investments. The report underscores the sustained podcast market growth and the critical role of podcast ranking data in strategic financial and marketing decisions within the booming audio industry.
