Podcast popularity in Australia continues to rise, with average monthly listeners up almost 9% in the first half of 2024 compared to last year, according to Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) and Triton Digital's first Australian Podcast Bi-Annual Report.

The report, designed to offer key insights into the evolving Australian podcast landscape and complement the monthly Triton Digital podcast ranker, reveals that podcasts are becoming an integral part of daily routines, with Thursday emerging as the peak day for listening.

The shift in podcast usage is driven by the seamless integration of podcasts with mobile devices, the preferred platform for on-the-go listening. Podcasts are reshaping the broader entertainment landscape, with Society and Culture, True Crime, and News leading in popularity. Health and fitness, education, and family-friendly content are rising in popularity, reflecting the medium's expanding diversity.

Data compiled using Triton Digital's Demo+ Podcast Audience Profiles showed genre preference varies by gender and age. Men are more inclined to listen to Comedy and Sports while women gravitate towards True Crime, Society and Culture, Health and Fitness, Education and Kids/Family. New podcast listeners are more likely to be people aged 18-34. There's been an increase in listening among various age groups, particularly men aged 25-54, highlighting podcasts' broadening appeal and potential to reach audiences traditional media often overlooks.

"For Australians navigating a fast-paced lifestyle podcasts deliver unparalleled convenience with on-demand, personalised content that's ready anytime and anywhere," said CRA chief executive officer, Lizzie Young.