Edison Research has released its Top 50 Podcasts for Q3 2024, offering a unique glimpse into how the 2024 presidential campaign, which is being dubbed by some as “The Podcast Election,” shaped and was shaped by the podcasting landscape.
The rankings, based on audience reach among weekly US podcast listeners aged 13 and older, demonstrate the growing influence of podcasts as a medium for both entertainment and political discourse. Edison Podcast Metrics, which measures all podcasts across distribution platforms, interviewed 5,000 weekly podcast listeners for its Q3 report.
The rankings provide insights into the reach, demographics, and behaviors of podcast audiences, underscoring the platform’s ability to rival traditional media channels like cable TV for election efficacy.
The Joe Rogan Experience, Crime Junkie, and The Daily maintained their positions as the top three podcasts for the third consecutive quarter, reflecting consistent audience loyalty. These shows were pivotal in the campaign season, with The Joe Rogan Experience hosting President-elect Donald Trump, a guest appearance that significantly boosted its reach.
Podcasts like SmartLess and MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories also saw notable gains. SmartLess climbed to #5, marking its debut in the Top Five, while MrBallen Podcast entered the Top 10 at #9.
Top 10 Podcasts for Q3 2024:
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- Crime Junkie
- The Daily
- Call Her Daddy
- SmartLess (+1)
- Stuff You Should Know (+1)
- Dateline NBC (-2)
- This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von (+1)
- MrBallen Podcast (+3)
- This American Life (-2)
The presidential candidates’ use of podcasts highlights the medium’s ability to engage millions of voters. According to Edison Podcast Metrics, Trump appeared on 20 podcasts from July through Election Day, compared to Vice President Kamala Harris’s eight appearances.
Trump’s podcast strategy reached an estimated 23.5 million weekly listeners aged 18+, far surpassing Harris’s 6.4 million. His guest spot on The Joe Rogan Experience played a significant role, although his other appearances alone still outpaced Harris’s reach.
Several new entries in the Top 50 further illustrate the growing intersection of politics and podcasting. The MeidasTouch Podcast, which debuted at #28, gained traction with its daily election coverage. KILL TONY secured #41, partly due to two sold-out live tapings at Madison Square Garden, including one featuring Joe Rogan. Host Tony Hinchcliffe also drew attention with his speech at Donald Trump’s MSG rally, where he famously mocked Puerto Rico.
The full top 50 list is available via Edison Research.
