1 BILLION PEOPLE WATCH PODCASTS ON YOUTUBE MONTHLY

Over the past five years, podcasting has erupted into a global force, reshaping the content landscape in ways no one could have predicted. And just today, YouTube revealed a staggering milestone—over 1 billion monthly active podcast users.

Here in South Africa, the podcast wave is surging like never before. From deep-dive conversations about Mzansi’s creative scene to unfiltered takes on politics, culture, and music, more and more local voices are stepping up to the mic. But what’s really changing the game? Video.

Creators aren’t just recording audio anymore; they’re bringing podcasts to life on YouTube, where audiences want to see the people behind the voices. What started as a purely audio-driven medium has evolved into a full-on visual experience—one that South African audiences are embracing fast.

In the U.S., YouTube (including YouTube Music) has become the go-to platform for discovering and consuming podcasts, and we’re seeing the same trend unfold locally. People aren’t just listening on their phones anymore—last year alone, over 400 million hours of podcasts were watched on TV screens.

If you’ve been thinking about launching a podcast, consider this your wake-up call. The mic is open, the cameras are rolling, and the revolution is happening. South Africa is ready for more voices, more stories, and more conversations. So what are you waiting for?