As media progresses, new forms of content are constantly introduced. Podcasts are a relatively recent medium adopted by the internet. Millions of people have tried their hand in podcast making, many coming from TikTok or YouTube. As an avid podcast listener myself, there are far too many. I listen to podcasts every night, some of my favorites being Just Trish, hosted by Trisha Paytas; Cancelled Podcast, hosted by Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield; and my all-time favorite podcast that started my infatuation, The Broski Report with Brittany Broski. Personally, I love having options and new media to explore and listen to, but others feel differently. 

The podcast scene started in 2003 as radio shows started to die down, but podcasts didn’t really start to take off until 2014. The rise of podcasts began with true crime podcasts, which gained their popularity after the podcast Serial was launched by the creators of another popular podcast, This American Life. Afterwards, podcasts began to introduce themselves into mainstream pop culture and our daily lives. 

As of 2025, there are reported to be 4.4 million podcasts worldwide. Major companies like Spotify and Apple Music have invested lots of funds to support the podcast craze. Both companies share the spot as some of the most listened-to podcast players, with Spotify being more popular. Today, podcast making has become accessible and easy—especially on Spotify, thanks to their Spotify creator page.

Additionally, the reason podcasts are so popular today is because of content accessibility. Making and listening to podcasts has become easier and easier as time goes on. Another major factor is the decreasing popularity of radio with younger generations. Due to most services being on demand, streaming has become the most common way to consume media. Many people think tapping a button on your phone and having unlimited access to endless creative media is much more enjoyable for the listener than flipping through radio stations with limited options based on time and location.

The amount of podcasts being produced has skyrocketed through the past few years. This comes from the common assumption that podcasts lead to immediate fame and success because of their recent streaming success. Many internet personalities follow the TikTok-to-podcast pipeline, and they believe that this is the way they can preserve and promote their newfound fame. Influencers end up creating podcasts and succeed for a while, but the internet loses interest fast. Hundreds of people have started podcasts because of the ease of creating one, but there is a lot more work required to succeed. Most will produce a few episodes and not achieve the views or popularity they are looking for, so they quit. This leads to thousands of abandoned and failed podcasts, which in turn contributes to the overcrowded podcast scene.

All in all, podcasts have weaseled their way into mainstream media for many reasons, but it seems like they're here to stay. They have lots to offer to everyday listeners. They can provide information on current events and hot topics, or simply fill the silence during a mundane task. Their variety allows many people to find their niche and stick with it. Personally, I love how many podcasts there are because of the diversity that comes with them. Every single podcast is different in its own way and that's part of what makes the industry so appealing. 

The reason there are so many podcasts is because of their accessibility for both listeners and creators, as well as the changing times. The decline of radio and the rise in streaming services have also started drawing in more podcast listeners. Whether your thoughts on the topic are positive or negative, podcasts have certainly become one of the most created and listened to forms of media in our modern society.