Audacy releases its new State of Audio: The New Rules of Podcast Advertising report that “explores how advertisers are rethinking podcasting.” Some of the key findings of the report include: 1) Mid-sized podcasts deliver a 22% lower cost per action (CPA) than celebrity shows; 2) Listeners are 27% more likely to be influenced by topic experts than well-known celebrities; 3) 64% of 
Gen Z now consumes podcasts monthly, positioning the generation to become podcasting’s largest audience; 4) 57% of Americans both watch and listen to podcasts, underscoring the rise of the creator ecosystem across audio and video; 5) And while listeners embrace AI for behind-the-scenes production, they remain wary of AI replacing the human voice and connection at the heart of podcasting. Audacy says the takeaway from this report is that podcast advertising is shifting from buying reach to buying influence – with trust, expertise and community becoming the real currency. See the full report here.
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026
