YouTube Launches Weekly Podcast Charts
YouTube has introduced a new weekly chart showcasing the most viewed podcasts on its platform. This move comes as the Alphabet-owned company is looking to strengthen its position against competitors like Spotify and Apple in the fast-changing audio landscape.
The inaugural Weekly Top Podcast Shows Chart will rank podcasts based on total viewing times. Topping the list is “Joe Rogan’s Experience,” followed closely by “Kill Tony” and “Rotten Mango.”
“Kill Tony,” a live comedy podcast hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe, attracted significant attention last year after he made controversial statements during a Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, referring to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage.”
Other notable entries in the chart include “48 Hours,” a True Crime series from CBS News at No. 4, “Club Shay Shay,” hosted by former football player Shannon Sharpe at No. 7, and Theo Von’s “This Last Weekend,” which sits at No. 8. Meanwhile, conservative host Megyn Kelly ranks at No. 19.
With this new ranking feature, YouTube aims to enhance visibility for podcasters while helping viewers discover tools similar to those offered by rival platforms.
As per Edison Research, YouTube has already overtaken Spotify and Apple as the leading platform for podcast consumption among Americans. The platform reportedly sees billions of active views each month for podcasts.
Ben Meiselas, co-founder of The Meidastouch Podcast, emphasized that YouTube should not merely be a platform for reposting content from elsewhere, but should aim to create a unique viewing experience similar to cable news.
With “Kill Tony” holding the fifth position on the charts, Meiselas highlighted YouTube’s advertising benefits, citing a favorable Cost Per Mile (CPM) rate compared to its competitors.
The growth of video podcasts is shaping up to be a positive development for the media landscape in 2025, particularly as platforms vie for advertisers looking for engaging formats.
Spotify has also expanded its video podcast offerings, reporting over $100 million in global payments to podcasters in the first quarter of the current year. Despite this, YouTube remains a dominant force in terms of revenue for creators and audience engagement metrics.
