The Top Podcast Networks Based on Reach, Q1 2026 – Edison Research at SSRS

Spotify has claimed the top position among U.S. Podcast networks based on average weekly reach for the first quarter of 2026, according to data released by Edison Research at SSRS.

The shift in rankings places Spotify at the number one spot, moving the SiriusXM Podcast Network to second place. IHeartPodcasts follows in third place.

Changes in the Top 10 Rankings

The first quarter of 2026 saw the introduction of a new entity to the Top 10 list. Red Seat Ventures debuted at the number four position, marking its first appearance in the rankings.

This addition coincided with the exit of The Walt Disney Company from the Top 10. The company had previously held the number ten position in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Network Reach vs. Platform Access

The rankings distinguish between the podcast networks that represent the advertising for a show and the platforms or applications that audiences use to access the content.

This means the data measures the reach of the network providing the advertising representation rather than the distribution app used by the listener.

Methodology and Data Collection

The rankings were compiled using Edison Podcast Metrics, which measures the total unduplicated reach of all shows represented by a specific network.

To gather this data, Edison Research at SSRS conducted daily surveys throughout the first quarter of 2026. The study utilized a total sample size of 5,163 weekly podcast consumers aged 13 and older.

The data collection relied on an unaided basis, where respondents were asked to list all the shows they had listened to or watched in the week prior to being contacted. This consumption data was then rolled up to the network level.

To ensure accuracy across the broader population, the data was weighted to the universe of weekly podcast consumers. This weighting was based on data obtained from The Infinite Dial 2026, also produced by Edison Research at SSRS.