The average episode length for the top 25 podcasts in the United Kingdom is now 54 minutes, according to new data from Ausha’s PSO Benchmark and Edison Podcast Metrics.
This figure closely matches the United States, where the top 25 podcasts average 64 minutes per episode.
While it may be tempting to suggest that one hour is the ideal duration, the data shows considerable variation among the most listened-to shows in the UK.
Some of the longest episodes come from The Joe Rogan Experience and Diary of a CEO, which average over two and a half hours and one and a half hours respectively.
These longer formats are well suited to in-depth interviews and wide-ranging conversations with guests.
In contrast, the BBC’s long-running audio drama The Archers keeps its daily episodes to just 13 minutes on average.
The writers of The Archers use the shorter format to deliver tightly packed story arcs, encouraging listeners to return for the next instalment.
The data highlights that there is no single answer to the question of optimal episode length. Different formats and audiences respond to different durations, and the most successful shows find engagement at a range of lengths.
Podcast creators are encouraged to experiment with episode duration to discover what works best for their content and audience.
Tools such as Ausha’s PSO Benchmark and Edison Podcast Metrics can support these decisions by providing comparative data and performance benchmarks for individual shows and the wider market.
You can check other learnings from the top 25 podcasts in the UK in the full report.
