News Podcasts in 2025 & Global Trends in a Fragmenting News Media Landscape

News Podcasts in 2025: Who’s Listening, and Why Does It Matter?

As news podcasts evolve and expand, how are audiences tuning in and on what platforms? In this session, Nic Newman presents new insights from the Reuters Institute’s latest research into the global news podcast landscape.

Who are the listeners of news podcasts today, and how do their habits differ across countries? Why are younger audiences increasingly turning to Spotify and why is YouTube emerging as the most popular podcast platform in the US, even for news? How are legacy media brands and new independent creators competing in this hybrid space of audio and video?

This session explores the changing shape of the news podcast format, the platforms driving its growth, and the strategic questions facing news organisations looking to engage audiences in a fast-shifting media environment.

Global Trends in a Fragmenting News Media Landscape

What happens to news consumption in a world marked by political instability, economic anxiety, and accelerating platform change? Are audiences turning to trusted journalism—or turning away altogether? In this session, Nic Newman presents key insights from the 2025 Digital News Report, offering a global perspective on how people access, trust, and engage with the news.

With the rise of social video, AI-powered interfaces, and personality-driven media, how are traditional news organisations responding? What role do influencers and alternative platforms play in shaping public debate? And what does the future hold for podcasting, news subscriptions, and audience engagement in an increasingly fragmented digital environment?

Join us for a thought-provoking overview of the year’s most comprehensive study of news consumption across six continents.