History of Podcasting: From Niche Hobby to Global Obsession

For millions of people around the globe, podcasting is their number one source SO many things. News, current events, entertainment, educational content—you name it, there’s a podcast for it and people that are totally tuned in. Hence why we have parenting podcasts, true crime podcasts, and podcasts to listen to while working out. But here’s the thing nobody ever talks about… how did podcasting become so big? Where did it start and why did it take off?

Initially coined as “audio blogging,” the history of podcasting goes back decades. (Literally.) We hear about names like Dave Winer, Adam Curry, Ben Hammersley, and Adam Carolla from the early days, as these are legends in the podcasting world. But these guys were big wigs in the first stages of podcasting, when we didn’t even have a solid understanding of the internet or its power.

Since the birth of modern technology, we seriously have the world at our fingertips. AKA, a new world of podcasting was born. So, let’s talk about it! In order to appreciate the phenomenon, let’s explore the history of podcasting and how it got so popular.

History of Podcasting: From Niche Hobby to Global Obsession

When Did Podcasting Start?

Podcasting before 2000

Podcasts or “audio blogs” actually predate the internet. Back then, podcasts were simply personal audio and video files, or audio and video content, that could be shared. Eventually, we encountered the creation of broadband internet and the online radio, which both played a key role in the growth of podcasts a little later down the road. Enter: How the history of podcasting really started to make moves.

Podcasting in 2004

A couple of important things happened in 2004 that gave rise to the world of podcasting. Most importantly, the creation of RSS feeds. All you need to know is that before RSS, it was really hard to create and share podcasts. Dave Winer (software developer) and Adam Curry (podcaster) can be credited with this feat, as they were the ones that put their heads together and figured out a way for the public to access and download “audio blogs”. 

Also in 2004, the term “podcasting” was used for the first time in a major newspaper publication. Written by Ben Hammersly in The Guardian, the term was created by combining the words “iPod” and “broadcast”. How cool? It makes sense why he was the one credited for coining the term. You can read his publication here.

Ben Hammersly isn’t the only one we need to give credit too, though. Adam Curry, host and creator of The Daily Source Code, was also recognized as the “pioneer of podcasting.” Or, as we like to refer to him as, the OG “Podfather.” At the time, this was one of the most popular podcasts, garnering over 500,000 subscribers.

Why Is It Called A Podcast?

2004 was also the year of Liberated Syndication, or Libsyn. In October of 2004, Libsyn launched as the first podcast service provider! This brings a totally new light to the history of podcasting, so let’s talk about it.

When Did Podcasting Become Popular?

Podcasting in 2005

By early 2005, there were already tons of podcast directories floating around (like the one previously found Yahoo), and new podcasts were being created everyday. We also saw the creation of many new podcast networks and the release of the first how-to podcasting book, Do-It-Yourself Guide by Todd Cochrane. 

In 2005, President George W. Bush was the first president to have a speech delivered as a podcast. “Podcast” was also declared the “word of the year” by New Oxford American Dictionary in 2005. 

Finally, in June 2005, Apple released iTunes 4.9, which, for the first time, supported podcasts. This update allowed listeners to discover and subscribe to their favorite hosts, directly through Apple. Starting off with just 3,000 shows, the platform is BOOMING with successful hosts now. Anyhow, this dramatically increased the ease of which people could access podcasts and was the start of podcasting as we know it. 

Podcasting from 2006 – 2009

The year 2006 opens with a historic keynote speech from none other than previous CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs. In his speech, Jobs demonstrated how to make a podcast using Garageband, and, as expected, changed the world forever. From this moment on, there was no shortage of new podcasts. More specifically, creators were coming in hot with new shows on daily basis, showcasing their unique voice and thoughts.

In 2007, Ricky Gervais set a world record for the most downloaded podcasts, with over 200,000 downloads. This goes to show just how popular podcasts were becoming at this time. Emphasis on at this time, as some episodes and shows get over 1 million downloads in today’s modern age.

By 2009, studies showed that at least 43% of Americans had “heard of” podcasts, and that 23% had consumed at least one podcast, or downloaded media of some sort. More specifically, WTF with Marc Maron became what we now call a landmark in podcasting.

He made a HUGE impact on long-form intimate conversations, showing people that this specific format allowed for candid confessionals and unfiltered vulnerability. And remember, around this time, people were just getting into more personal shows that captured that same vibe. Think: The Real Housewives and Keeping Up with the Kardashians. People WANTED drama, intimacy, and real hot takes—and podcasting gave them exactly that.

Podcasting from 2010 – 2013

Fast forward to 2011 and Adam Carolla was making big moves in the podcasting world. In fact, he set the Guinness World Record for most downloaded podcast from March 2009 to March 2011. Of course, now, people have surpassed this, but at the time, this was a BIG deal!

There still wasn’t that giant influx of listeners yet, but the loyal ones stuck around for new episodes weekly from their favorite hosts. But honestly? That’s still pretty impressive, considering that podcasting was still widely competing with YouTube and monetization competitors.

And, to keep it totally real here, podcasting was not doing too hot in 2012 and 2013. And by “not doing too hot,” we mean that people thought of these years as the “stagnation period.” Numbers were dipping, listeners were on social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, and podcasting took a back seat.

This didn’t last for long, though, because 2014 became the “renaissance of podcasting.” Let’s talk about that, shall we?

Modern Podcasting

Podcasting from 2014 – 2017

By 2014, tons of people were listening to podcasts. And we know what you may be thinking… “Why all the sudden?” To that we say, “Thanks, Serial!”

Serial‘s popularity COMPLETELY transformed the popularity and the history of podcasting. And we’re not exaggerating here. This was the first podcast to achieve “blockbuster status,” as it attracted advertisers, investors, and a ton of listeners. It was popular enough to win a Peabody Award (the first ever for a podcast, BTW), which gave credit for its innovative approach to long-form content. People like to refer to this as “the Serial effect.”

From there, weekly consumption for the podcasting medium rose by 25%, which was a huge increase from the 12% in 2013. And while Serial kicked things off, we also have to give credit to modern advancements. People weren’t filming on 2004 mics anymore—they had REAL equipment.

By the time 2017 hit, audiences were growing, new showings were hitting platforms, and advertising revenue had doubled. To get technical, it jumped from approximately $118.7 million in 2016 to $257.4 million in 2017. Yeah, that’s a big deal.

It’s also important to mention an important court case that took place in 2017. A patent troll, called Personal Audio, LLC tried to sue several podcasters, on the premise that they had created podcasting. In the end, the court ruled in favor of the podcasters, and set a new standard in the podcasting world. This new standard being that ANYONE can create and host a podcast.

Oh, by the way, make sure to check out “Binge-Worthy Podcasts Like Serial” in honor of this iconic show.

Podcasting from 2018 – 2021

A lot happened in this short timeframe. Let’s start with the honorary mention: Dear Media was FOUNDED in 2018! Bias aside, this was a huge deal. It’s no secret that podcasting, like many other giant empires, is generally thought to be “man-run” and “man-made.” Dear Media took a new approach by pioneering a model for female influencers to have a voice.

And this amplification of female voices? It drove home. It introduced things like influencer brand building, strategic growth, and a powerful, ever-expanding network. This platform gives SOOO many creators to speak their mind on anything from health and wellness to true crime to raunchy sexual advice. And in a world where so many things are “off topic,” Dear Media wanted to pave the way authentic honesty and candid vulnerability. Make sure to check out the Washington Post article about Dear Media to learn more!

2019 introduced an explosive amount of growth for podcasters, specifically from Spotify’s 90 million monthly listener reach in the U.S. It wasn’t just a fun hobby anymore, it was a total, full-time business.

And then, due to COVID, video podcasting took off in 2020 and 2021 and started making waves. People were craving that real, one-on-one connection, and podcasters knew just the way to give it to them. It’s no surprise that pretty much every popular show features episodes on a handful of different platforms that support both audio and visual listening.

According to this article released by Forbes (March, 2022), podcasting was one of few industries that came out on the other side of the world pandemic bigger and stronger. As more and more people were searching for ways to pass the time, entertain themselves, and keep up with the latest news and trends, they turned to podcasts.

Podcasting from 2022 – Today

Come 2022, podcasting wasn’t only still popular, it was increasing in popularity. People weren’t just listening on their phones in their free time anymore. Instead, they came out and said they were tuning in at the gym, on their commutes to work, while cooking dinner, and more. This means that more and more people were choosing podcasts over music.

As we’ve reached the modern age of podcasting, things just continue to grow. In 2025 specifically, we’re seeing 584 million listeners and listenership increasing to 55%. By 2026, the amount of listeners is expected to grow 325%—just in the last 10 years. So, if you’re thinking about starting a podcast? There’s never been a better time to turn your side hobby into a full-time hustle.

Oh, and if you need any tips on this? Who better get it from than FOUNDERS of Dear Media, Lauryn Evarts Bosstick and Michael Bosstick? Tune into “How to Start a Side Hustle or Your First Business to Generate New Income” from Him & Her Show.

Podcasting isn’t just a hobby—it’s a billion dollar industry.

As you can see, the history of podcasting has gone through some serious changes over the years. All of which led up to the world of podcasting we know today. While we weren’t able to include every. single. detail. that led up to the current world of podcasting, we’ve included all the main points in history that help us better appreciate things today.

For more entertaining and technical articles on podcasting, head on over to the Dear Media Blog. Not only do we keep you updated on all of the hottest, most important news, we also offer health and wellness tips, love life advice, and pop culture updates! And, of course, let’s give a round of applause to our INCREDIBLE team of podcast hosts—they deserve all the flowers. Also, last but certainly not least, head to the DM shop to stay updated with all of our newest products. This “Podcast Day Tote” just feels super relevant, don’t you think?