iHeart has retained its title as Australia’s number-one Podcast Network, according to the December Podcast Ranker, reaching 6.4 million monthly listeners and delivering 21.7 million downloads.
This marks a 56-month streak for iHeart atop the Podcast Publisher rankings.
The Australian Podcast Rankings show ARN/iHeart as the leading podcast publisher.
iHeart secured 45 titles in the Top 200, including Casefile True Crime (#2, #1 True Crime Podcast), Life Uncut (#9, #1 Relationship Podcast), and The Kyle & Jackie O Show at #39,
ARN’s head of digital audio, Corey Layton, told Mediaweek the achievement is down to “the entire team and all our partners”.
“It’s an exciting feat”.
A recent partnership with BBC Studios has bolstered iHeart’s offering, bringing premium BBC content to an audience of 900,000 Australians.
Layton added: “We are always looking at new opportunities. With the BBC, just to have them part of the ranker and for advertisers to be able to see how strong their slate is.”
Louise la Grange, SVP at BBC Studios, said, “It’s great to see Australian audiences connecting with our diverse lineup, from trusted news to unique and engaging storytelling.”
Seven BBC titles debuted in the December ranker, led by Global News Podcast at #33 (170,686 listeners). Other notable entrants include The Infinite Monkey Cage (#86), You’re Dead to Me (#131), and Desert Island Discs (#196).
Despite the success, Layton revealed to Mediaweek that being #1 comes with added pressure, and rather than basking in the afterglow of success, his team are focused on fulling embracing and engaging with a “rapidly changing industry”.
“It’s already changed so much over the past few months,” he said. “You never know what’s around the corner and, even though its cliche, it’s a marathon not a sprint.”
As for what else iHeart has in store for Australian audiences in 2025, Layton remained coy, teasing that there “more exciting things to come”.
Pictured: Corey Layton