Podcasts Increase Popularity in Canada, With YouTube Taking Lead Role

O Canada, what are you listening to?

Like their south-of-the-border neighbors in the U.S., Canadians are listening to podcasts about news, true crime and comedy, according to new data from Triton Digital. 

In 2024, the most popular English-language podcast produced in Canada was Front Burner from CBS/Radio-Canada. Le Radiojournal (Radio-Canada) had the most French-language downloads. 

The most downloaded podcast overall in Canada was Dateline NBC from NBCUniversal News Group. The most downloaded single episode featured Steve Martin and Martin Short on Smartless on the SiriusXM Podcast Network.

Also, like in the U.S., YouTube has become the dominant platform for podcast listening as more podcasts integrate video into their presentations. YouTube, used most often by 35% of respondents, up from 29% in Triton Digital’s 2023 report, overtook Spotify, which had been the top podcast platform with 28%, down from 31%. The overwhelming number of podcast downloads (92.6%) took place on mobile devices. 

Overall listening to podcasts grew in Canada with reach hitting 39% in 2024, up from 46% the year before and 27% in 2020. Podcast listening grew among English-language listeners to 42% from 28% but reach declined among French speakers to 24% from 28%.

Spotify continued to attract the youngest group of listeners, while YouTube skews more male, according to Triton Digital. Apple Podcasts had the highest share of listeners with $100,000-plus annual incomes and post-secondary education.

Podcast fans listened to more of them this year than last year. The average number of podcasts consumed weekly rose to 3.9 from 3.5, while the average number of weekly episodes consumed edged up to 8.4 from 8.2.

Among the major podcasts networks, the SiriusXM Podcast Network led in average weekly downloads, followed by Amazon’s Wondery and CBC/Radio-Canada.