COVID-19 Is Depressing Podcast Listening
I discussed new data from Podtrac showing that the coronavirus pandemic is depressing podcast consumption during Episode 302 of my podcast.
U.S. podcast downloads decreased 1% during the week ending March 15, 2020, 2% the week ending March 22, and 4% the week ending March 29 across all Podtrac measured podcasts.
U.S. weekly podcast audiences decreased 2% the week ending March 15, 8% the week ending March 22, and 5% the week ending March 29.
There are some obvious explanations for this reduction in podcast consumption:
- A great deal of media consumption is now devoted to getting the latest news about the pandemic
- With so many people staying at home, a primary activity that had been devoted to podcast listening is no longer available: Commuting to and from work
- And many people listen to podcasts while working out but fitness clubs have no closed