UK Podcast Industry News

Source: PodcastingToday → 01 Podcasting gets its own official industry category

The UK Government has confirmed that "podcast and other audio publishing activities" will be formally recognised within the Standard Industrial Classification 2026 framework, a first for the sector, and a step that should help podcast and audio businesses access funding, lending, and support schemes.

 

Source: The Fold, citing Ofcom → 02 Over a quarter of UK adults now listen weekly

Ofcom's Audio Report 2026 found that 27% of UK adults now listen to podcasts every week, with 93% consuming some form of audio content weekly. Podcasting's slice of that keeps climbing.

 

Source: Podnews / Edison Research → 03 YouTube overtakes Spotify for UK listening

Edison Research's UK Podcast Consumer 2026 study found 29% of UK weekly podcast consumers now name YouTube as their primary listening platform, edging out Spotify's 28%, the first time that's happened on record.

 

Source: RadioToday → 04 British Podcast Awards shortlist is out

180 podcasts across 29 categories have been shortlisted for the 2026 British Podcast Awards, spanning huge established names and independent creators alike. Winners are announced at indigo at The O2 on 1 October.

 

Source: PodcastingToday → 05 Advertisers are ready to scale up audio spend

Bauer Media's Sound Check Europe 2026 study found 47% of advertisers plan to increase podcast investment this year, with 82% agreeing that podcasts reach unusually engaged audiences.

 

Source: PodcastingToday → 06 Spotify posts strong Q1 growth on podcasts and video

Spotify reported 761 million monthly active users in Q1 2026, up 12% year on year, with premium subscribers rising to 293 million. The company pointed to continued investment in podcast discovery and video tools as part of the growth.

​

Sources: 

https://podcastingtoday.co.uk/podcast-and-audio-publishing-added-to-uk-sic-2026-framework/

https://www.thefoldleamington.co.uk/blog/why-more-businesses-are-starting-podcasts-in-2026

https://podnews.net/press-release/uk-podcast-consumer-2026

https://www.radiotoday.uk/2026/07/british-podcast-awards-2026-nominees-revealed/

https://podcastingtoday.co.uk/new-report-shows-potential-for-audio-ad-spend-growth-for-uk-podcasts/

https://podcastingtoday.co.uk/spotify-reports-growth-in-users-and-podcasts-in-q1-2026-results/

​