Australia's podcast industry has seen a significant surge in popularity, with downloads increasing by 33% in January 2024, reaching 90.3 million, according to the latest Australian Podcast Ranker.

The number is a notable rise from 67.8 million in January 2023 and 81.2 million in December 2023. The Australian Podcast Ranker, launched in 2019 by Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) and Triton Digital, added eight new publishers, including ABC, in 2023.

The 'Shameless' podcast by Shameless Media was the highest-ranked podcast for January 2024, with 516,000 listeners, moving up three places from December 2023. The most downloaded podcast episode in January was 'Buckle up, it's a big one,' published on 17 January.

Listeners returned to podcasts produced by breakfast radio shows after the summer break, with the Kyle & Jackie O Show, Ben Fordham Live, and The Marty Sheargold Show seeing significant jumps in rankings.

"Today is Valentine's Day, and one relationship that we know will last the distance is our collective affection for podcasts," said Chief Executive Officer of CRA, Ford Ennals. He also highlighted the success of the 'Darling, Shine!' podcast, which climbed 18 places to 17.

"A great example of this is the uplifting and emotional stories shared in the Darling, Shine! podcast, which this month rocketed 18 places to 17, as the audience connected strongly with the story reveals by the hosts Chloe Fisher and Ellidy Pullin."

"Australian listeners are dedicated to home grown as well as the best of international content. Four out of the five most listened to podcasts in January were produced locally," Ennals added.

In January, 12 new podcasts debuted in the top 200, including six from ARN/iHeart, three from ABC, two from LiSTNR, and one from SBS. The Australian Podcast Ranker Top Publishers category expanded from 15 to 20 publishers in January, with Clubby Sport and Equity Mates Media joining for the first time. The top three publishers by listeners in January were ARN/iHeart, LiSTNR, and ABC.

"The Australian Podcast Ranker continues to showcase a vibrant picture of the podcast industry in Australia," said VP of Market Development and Strategy, APAC, Triton Digital, Richard Palmer. "Fueled by the launch of new titles, and the return of popular radio shows, listeners are showing a strong appetite for fresh and familiar voices."

The top five most popular podcast genres in January were Society and Culture, True Crime, News, Comedy, and Sports. The Australian Podcast Ranker is a monthly snapshot of the top 200 podcasts listened to by Australians, the 20 biggest publishers, and the 20 most successful podcast sales representatives.

Top five podcast publishers by listeners: Jan 2024

1. 1 ARN/iHeart - 4,510,060
2. LiSTNR (SCA) - 2,926,087
3. Australian Broadcasting Corporation - 2,224,592
4. SiriusXM Podcast Network - 2,003,771
5. Audioboom - 1,911,254

LiSTNR touted its position as the number sales representation podcast network, amassing  6.7 million listeners in January and reporting more podcasts in the top 50 of the Top 200 Australian Podcast Ranker than any other network.

The group cited outstanding growth for LiSTNR’s owned and operated titles in the All-Australian Top 200 Podcasts January Ranker, including Darling, Shine!, Do You F*cking Mind, KICPOD, The Marty Sheargold Show, The Rush Hour with JB and Billy, Crime Insiders, Motley Fool Money, Luke and Sassy Scott, Willow Talk, That’s Enough Already with Urzila Carlson, The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show, Sooshi Mango Saucy Meatballs, Bedtime Explorers and Rusty’s Garage, which all went up in their rankings. In addition, Hamish & Andy remained in the top five Australian podcasts, despite not publishing a new episode in January.

LiSTNR also saw tremendous upward movement of titles from its international partners, Wondery and SXM, in the Top 200 Podcast Ranker, including The Mel Robbins Podcast, The Mindset Mentor, The School of Greatness, 99% Invisible, Pod Save America, British Scandal, This is Actually Happening, Something Was Wrong, Office Ladies, Scamfluencers, Against the Odds, StarTalk Radio, The Deck, Critical Role, Snapped: Women Who Murder, How I Built This with Guy Raz and Business Wars.

“It was great to have both our owned and operated titles, along with our international partner titles, move up the ranker in January and to increase our monthly listeners from December. This is a testament to all the hard work from the entire LiSTNR team,” SCA Executive Head LiSTNR Podcasts, Grant Tothill, said.