How many new podcasts have launched so far this year?

plus how to find podcast transcripts on Podchaser

Author

Trent Anderson
January 17, 2025

Today's Lineup 🎙️

How Many New Podcasts Have Launched in 2025?

From December 31, 2024 to January 17, 2025, a whopping 11,243 new shows have published their first episode. Even crazier, 158 of them already have at least a thousand YouTube subscribers—proof that audio creators are doubling down on video content for audience growth and reach.

But raw numbers only tell half the story. Podchaser’s Power Score breakdown gives us a behind-the-scenes look at who’s winning big versus who’s still in the “just getting started” phase. A staggering 11,000 of these new shows scored a 0, meaning they have minimal (if any) measurable audience. On the flip side, there are small but noticeable clusters in the moderate to upper range:

  • Power Score 30-39: 49 shows

  • Power Score 40-49: 67 shows

  • Power Score 50-59: 25 shows

  • Power Score 60-69: 6 shows

  • Power Score 70-79: 3 shows

But wait, what’s a Power Score? Podchaser's Power Score is a unique measurement of a podcast's influence calculated based on predictors such as the number of listeners per episode, episodes released, subscriber and follower count, social media engagement, and directional change within these metrics. This proprietary score provides insights that help creators and advertisers determine the popularity and interaction rates of a podcast, providing useful information essential for media buying and guest appearance planning.

This general estimate provides insight into how Power Score relates to reach:

  • 10-30 Power Score: Reach in the hundreds

  • 30-60 Power Score: Reach between 1,000 to 10,000

  • 60-70 Power Score: Reach between 10,000 to 100,000

  • 70-80 Power Score: Reach between 100,000 to 500,000

  • 80+ Power Score: Reach exceeding 500,000

So what does all of this tell us? Here’s the big takeaway:

  1. There’s Still Room for Everyone. Thousands of zero-Power Score podcasts confirm that the podcasting bug isn’t going anywhere. Newcomers keep jumping in, hoping to find their tribe.

  2. Quality Over Quantity. The handful with higher Power Scores tap into bigger reach—tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of listeners, according to Podchaser’s estimates. These players are either celebrities (think major comedy names or sports personalities) or they’re hyper-focused on a niche that people can’t get enough of.

  3. Video is the New Audio. With 158 new shows crossing that 1,000-subscriber mark on YouTube, we’re seeing creators treat podcasting as both an audio and visual medium. If you’re not filming your episodes, you might miss out on a massive audience chunk.

As for trends, expect more big names and big budgets: The Severance Podcast (Ben Stiller and Adam Scott) ties into a popular TV show, while The Know Rogan Experience is going meta—two people discovering Rogan for the first time is weirdly genius. And if you’re into sports talk with a New York twist, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg will get you covered in attitude, local flair, and, no doubt, endless arguments.

What Should You Do?

  • Start, But Niche Down. If you’re thinking of starting a podcast, don’t be afraid of that 11,243 number. There’s space. But pick a topic you can own.

  • Go Omnichannel. If video isn’t on your roadmap, maybe it’s time to buy a tripod. YouTube—done well—can 10x your visibility.

  • Understand the Metrics. Pay attention to your Power Score if you want to woo advertisers or land impactful guests. It’s a quick proxy for how influential you are in podcast land.

If you take nothing else from these numbers, remember this: podcasting has become more than just talking into a microphone. It’s an all-out media venture, and those who adapt stand a shot at joining the big leagues. So, bring your personality, your camera, and a strong point of view—because in 2025, the mic isn’t just hot; it’s on fire.

How to Find Podcast Transcripts on Podchaser

Did you know Podchaser has podcast episode transcripts? A whole lot of ‘em, actually. We recently expanded podcast transcript coverage to the Top 24k shows.

If you want to access episode transcripts, follow these steps:

And if you want to get email alerts any time a name, topic, or keyword is mentioned, you can sign up for a free alert here 👇️ 

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