The new NielsenIQ study for Audible reveals that podcast consumption continues to rise and the listening time approaches an average of 34 minutes per session. The number of podcast listeners represents a 4% increase compared to the previous year, which translates to more than 600,000 new listeners and accumulates a growth of 9% since 2024. The themes of well-being (36%) continue to lead the interest for future content, closely followed by crime and the section of history and politics (34%)
Audible, an Amazon company and global distributor of quality audio entertainment digital content (audiobooks, podcasts, and original audio series), presents the annual report 'Podcasts: Habits and Trends in Spain 2026', prepared by NielsenIQ for Audible, in which it is highlighted that the country already has 15.8 million podcast listeners. This figure represents a 4% increase compared to 2025, which translates to more than 600,000 new listeners and accumulates a growth of 9% since 2024.
Consumption habits: longer sessions and at night
Spaniards have fully integrated podcasts into their weekly routine. 61% of users consume this format at least once a week. Although the listening frequency remains stable with an average of nearly 8 times a month, the average duration per session now stands at 33.7 minutes, two minutes more than the previous year.
Demographically, the population segment between 25 and 34 years emerges as the key and most active core among users, showing the greatest affinity in daily use. Additionally, the report reveals that the heavy user is mainly represented by men.
Why and what is being listened to?
The motivations to hit play remain unchanged compared to previous years: 44% turn to podcasts mainly for entertainment, while 41% do so to stay informed.
Regarding preferences, the themes of well-being (36%) continue to lead interest, while the category of crime has managed to equal this year the interest generated by the section of history and politics (34%, in both cases).
The study reveals an interesting family dynamic: almost half of the listening parents (45%) have children who also listen to podcasts, perceiving it as a useful way to educate, entertain, and delve into study topics from an early age.
Multitasking and new listening spaces
The ability to perform multiple tasks at once remains the superpower of the format: 67% of users value podcasts because they allow them to do other things simultaneously. Additionally, 30% highlights its usefulness to avoid straining their eyes even more, evidencing visual fatigue.
Regarding where and when, the home maintains an undisputed leadership (82%). However, other scenarios are gaining strength: commuting and traveling continue to be one of the main listening moments, with 52% of users consuming content in this context. Moreover, the private car is gaining prominence and is already the chosen setting for 27% of listeners. In this same line, consumption before sleeping is consolidating as a routine for 43% of users, who turn to this type of content at the end of the day, especially in search of relaxing or narrative formats.
Diversity of languages
Language diversity is also consolidating as a relevant element in audio consumption and 49% of listeners perceive a great variety of content in co-official languages. Catalan (11%) ranks as the second listening language after Spanish (97%), followed by other foreign languages (9%).
Theme, genre, and social networks: the pillars for discovering and choosing new podcasts
When it comes to discovering new content, theme (67%) and genre (57%) are consolidating as the determining factors for choosing a podcast, followed by the relevance of the narrator (42%) and the author (37%). If we analyze how listeners discover new content, social networks are consolidating as the most effective medium for discovering novelties (58%), ahead of recommendations from friends and family (37%).
Furthermore, the study highlights a growing coexistence between both formats: 64% of respondents claim to consume both podcasts and audiobooks, confirming their complementary nature within audio entertainment consumption habits. This listener profile shows a broad interest in all its facets, reflecting increasingly versatile, diverse, and adapted consumption habits to different moments, moods, and needs.
The five most listened originals of 2026 from Audible.es:
'Why do we kill?' Season 8, by Carles Porta, narrated by Carles Porta.
'The mystery of the railway guide', by Agatha Christie, narrated by Sergi López and Octavi Pujades, among others.
'Umbra Dei', by Matías García, narrated by Daniel Grao and Nadia de Santiago, among others.
'The secret sister', by Sarah A. Denzil, narrated by Nahia Laiz, Sol de la Barreda, Alberto Jiménez and Pablo Martínez.
'Memories of a crime', by Brynn Kelly, narrated by Elisa Langa and Diego Rousselon.
The essentials of the catalog of Audible.es in 2026 related to some of the preferred genres by Spaniards
Well-being:
'Habits for sleeping well', by Dr. Tim Sharp, narrated by Adrián Ogazón.
'Click', by Francesc Miralles, narrated by Francesc Miralles.
'21-day anti-stress challenge', by Oliver Oliva, narrated by Oliver Oliva.
Crime:
'The flutist', by Anthony Khaseria, narrated by Ariadna Gil and Oriol Vila, among others.
'Apocalypse Z. The beginning of the end', by Manuel Loureiro, narrated by Javier Rey and Maggie Civantos, among others.
'The mysterious case of Styles', by Agatha Christie, narrated by Sergi López, Octavi Pujades and Elvira Minguez, among others.
History and politics:
'The strange summer of 75', by Susana Fortes, narrated by Neus Sendra.
'The Challenge: ETA', by Cuerdos de Atar, narrated by Ramón Langa.
'History live', by History live, narrated by Albert Montilla and Cristina Garrote, among others.