The latest data for the final quarter of last year (October-December 2020) shows the average weekly BBC Sounds audience was 3.5 million across the app, website and voice activated devices, with a record 3.7 million during the week of the US Election.
There were a record 316 million plays of all audio on BBC Sounds, and a total of 130 million plays for on-demand radio and podcasts in this quarter.
Newscast has been named as the top podcast on BBC Sounds during the period. Listeners also turned to Americast to hear about the US Election and the events surrounding it; it was the second most listened to podcast both for all adults and for the under 35 audience.
Other titles in the top ten include the hit podcast Grounded with Louis Theroux, the history podcast You’re Dead To Me, The Lovecraft Investigation dramas and Where Is George Gibney? which examines the case of the internationally-renowned Olympic swimming, accused of abusing young swimmers.
Alongside Grounded with Louis Theroux, others that are included in the top podcasts for under-35 listeners include That Peter Crouch Podcast, 6 Degrees from Jamie and Spencer, and Bad People, with Dr Julia Shaw and comedian Sofie Hagen dissecting criminal cases.
The YUNGBLUD Podcast, which launched in this quarter, had the largest proportion of under-35 listeners followed by 6 Degrees from Jamie and Spencer and The Gemma Collins Podcast.
James Acaster’s Perfect Sounds, gaming podcast Press X to Continue, comedy podcast Wheel of Misfortune and Stacey Dooley Revisits also feature in the content with the largest proportion of younger listeners.
- Source: BBC ATi , Q4: w/c 28/09/20 w/c 21/12/20 inclusive
Jonathan Wall, Controller of BBC Sounds said: “Listeners turned to BBC Sounds at the end of last year for brilliant insight into global events from our live radio stations and our podcasts, as well as a range of music that helped us all through a difficult Christmas.
“We know how much people value what they’re listening to particularly at the moment at home, on walks or during exercise so I’m delighted more people are finding great audio for them on BBC Sounds.”
