Podcasting has reached a turning point in the UK. For the first time, YouTube has overtaken Spotify as the platform most used by podcast listeners, signalling a fundamental shift in how audiences discover, consume and engage with creator content.
According to Edison Research’s UK Podcast Consumer 2026, 29% of weekly podcast listeners aged 15+ say YouTube is the service they use most to consume podcasts, narrowly ahead of Spotify (28%), BBC Sounds (15%), and Apple Podcasts (10%).
29% of weekly podcast listeners aged 15+ say YouTube is the service they use most to consume podcasts
The change reflects a broader transformation in what a podcast has become. Once defined as an audio-first format consumed through dedicated podcast apps, podcasts are increasingly becoming creator-led media brands distributed across multiple channels — from YouTube and TikTok to newsletters and social platforms.
The rise of YouTube is being driven by the growth of video podcasts. Edison reports that the number of UK podcast consumers actively watching video podcasts has increased significantly, from 58% in 2023 to 72% in 2026. However, audio remains central, with 87% of weekly podcast consumers still listening to audio-only podcasts.
YouTube’s rise is not the end of podcasting’s audio era. It is evidence that podcasting has evolved beyond a single format. The future belongs to creators who can build audiences everywhere — wherever those audiences choose to watch, listen and engage.