On June 28, 2005, Apple released iTunes 4.9. The update included support for discovering, downloading and subscribing to podcasts — even though the term wasn’t widely used at the time. Apple had quietly laid the groundwork for an audio revolution.
Where did the word ‘podcast’ come from?
The word “podcast” was coined in 2004 by journalist Ben Hammersley while writing for The Guardian. It’s a portmanteau — combining “iPod” and “broadcast.”
Although the BBC reported in 2005 that people initially criticized the term for giving too much credit to Apple, it stuck. By the following year, even Steve Jobs embraced it.
“Podcasting is the next generation of radio,” Jobs said in a 2005 media release. “Users can now subscribe to over 3,000 free podcasts and have each new episode automatically delivered over the internet to their computer and iPod.”
Apple Podcasts hits one billion subscriptions
By 2013, Macworld reported that iTunes had surpassed one billion podcast subscriptions. That growth came from more than 250,000 unique shows, and many of them were early adopters from legacy media outlets.
That early investment for news organizations may have paid off. A 2023 Pew Research study found that roughly half of Americans listened to a podcast in 2022. Of that group, 67% say they hear news discussed on podcasts. But while news is a dominant topic, only about 1 in 5 podcast listeners tune into shows produced by a news organization.
ABC News and NPR were among the first. In the same 2013 Macworld report, NPR shared that they had been experimenting with podcasting as early as 2001 — not long after the first iPod launched.
The indie era of podcasting
Before podcasting gained mainstream popularity, it thrived in the indie corners of the internet. Small creators, with little more than a microphone and a message, used the format as a form of modern talk radio.
These were high-passion productions, like “The Dawn and Drew Show,” that paved the way for today’s billion-dollar industry.
Apple honors podcast pioneers
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Apple released a statement thanking creators. The platform credited them with introducing new formats, building passionate communities and “redefining how people connect.” The company added that podcasts have transformed “commutes, long walks and quiet nights for millions of listeners.”
Apple also launched a campaign on Thursday titled “20 Years, 20 Podcasts We Love,” highlighting standout shows from each five-year era.
One early feature is the 2015 episode “The Living Room” from “Love and Radio.” The episode — spotlighted as one of the earliest narrative podcasts — tells the story of a woman who watches her neighbors through the blinds, witnessing their relationship change as one of them falls seriously ill.
Another popular show highlighted for Apple’s 2005-2010 favorites is “This American Life.” It launched in 2006 but got its early beginning in 1995 through public radio.
“Mystery Show” is another featured Apple podcast, whose host, Starlee Kine, was an alum of “This American Life.”
For the 2011–2015 era, Apple chose “Acquired: Costco” as one of their top episode picks. It’s a show that dives into the origin stories of the retail giants and the “entrepreneurial success with both enthusiasm and passion,” as Apple described.
A “show that changed everything for podcasting,” according to Apple, is “Serial.” This investigative journalism podcast launched in 2014 and reached over 5 million downloads within its first six weeks. Their first episode highlighted the story of Hae Min Lee — a high school senior who disappeared, which led to the arrest of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed.
Hosts Michael Barbaro, Rachel Abrams and Natalie Kitroeff bring top headlines of the day to listeners in “The Daily.” With millions of listeners, this pick for one of Apple’s favorites of the 2016-2020 era influenced other daily news podcasts.
Modern stars get their flowers, too
While Apple spotlighted the pioneers, they didn’t leave out today’s chart-toppers.
“Call Her Daddy,” hosted by Alex Cooper, and “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” were also highlighted as defining voices of the current era — tackling everything from celebrity interviews to cultural commentary.
Garage tapes to TV-style shows
In the early days, podcasts were often scrappy and proudly unpolished. Comedian Marc Maron famously recorded nearly 900 episodes of his hit podcast “WTF” in his original garage before moving. He captured vulnerable interviews with guests from comedians to sitting presidents. It was just at the beginning of June when Maron announced he would be ending his podcast.
“We have put up a new show every Monday and Thursday for almost 16 years, and we’re tired. We’re burnt out,” he told comedian John Mulaney in a recent episode.
But today, many of the most popular podcasts are produced more like television talk shows.
Shows like “Armchair Expert” and “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” feature celebrity guests in curated set designs, polished for video formats on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
While the format has evolved, the appeal remains rooted in authenticity.
Presidential candidates even took their campaigns to podcasts in 2024. President Donald Trump appeared on “The Joe Rogan Experience” and “Full Send.” After the Rogan interview, Trump received an endorsement from the podcast host — highlighting the potential impact of online influencer reach. Many outlets cited Trump’s Rogan appearance as one of the key moves that helped put him in the White House a second time.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris also participated, appearing on shows like Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” and “The Howard Stern Show.”
Both Trump and Harris used the medium as a direct line to voters outside of mainstream media, reaching millions.
What are people listening to?
Podcast listeners today are tuning in for a mix of entertainment, information and personal growth.
According to Riverside, comedy, news and true crime were the most popular podcast genres in 2023. These categories consistently dominate the charts across major platforms.
But the fastest growth is happening in wellness. Health, self-help and lifestyle podcasts are rising rapidly, especially as listeners look for practical tools and mental health support.
While news podcasts are widely consumed, many listeners are drawn to topics and perspectives not typically covered by traditional media.
The future of podcasting looks bright
Apple’s vice president of Apple Podcasts told The Hollywood Reporter the platform saw more listeners, plays and subscribers in 2024 than ever before.
And if the past two decades are any indication — the next 20 years of podcasting are just getting started.
