In a resounding affirmation of its global appeal, The Joe Rogan Experience has been crowned the world's most-listened-to podcast on Spotify for the sixth year running. The streaming giant's annual Wrapped campaign data solidified the 58-year-old comedian and commentator's unparalleled dominance in the audio sphere.
A Decade of Dominance and Pivotal Interviews
The long-form interview show, known for its eclectic mix of guests and deep dives into topics spanning science, politics, philosophy, and current events, continues to command a colossal audience. This year alone, Rogan has hosted high-profile figures including tech titans Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, alongside US Senator Bernie Sanders. His most recent episode featured Jensen Huang, the president and CEO of NVIDIA.
A particularly significant moment came during the 2024 US presidential campaign when Rogan interviewed former President Donald Trump. That episode has amassed approximately 60 million views since it aired in October 2024. Rogan's subsequent endorsement of Trump was widely analysed as a pivotal moment in the race against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Chart-Topping Success Across Platforms
Rogan's supremacy was not confined to the global stage. Spotify confirmed his show also topped the podcast charts within the United States. It was followed in the rankings by The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett in second place and The Mel Robbins Podcast in third.
His reach extended far beyond Spotify's ecosystem. Industry reports from outlets like The Hollywood Reporter indicate that The Joe Rogan Experience also claimed the number one spot on podcast charts for rivals YouTube and Apple this year. This cross-platform triumph follows Rogan's return to Apple in February 2024 after a three-year exclusivity period with Spotify.
The Video Pivot and a Landmark Netflix Deal
The podcast's influence is increasingly visual. Initially bringing a massive YouTube audience with him, Rogan has been central to Spotify's strategic shift towards video content. The platform now offers roughly half a million podcasts in video format. Spotify's Q3 earnings revealed that more than 390 million users had streamed a video podcast like Rogan's – a figure more than double that of the previous year.
Looking ahead, a major partnership is set to expand this video footprint further. Spotify will soon collaborate with Netflix to bring video versions of its most popular podcasts to the streaming video service. While the initial list of podcasts for this crossover did not include The Joe Rogan Experience, the deal underscores the growing convergence of audio and video entertainment. Rogan's current contract with Spotify, a multi-year renewal, is said to be worth up to $250 million.
With episodes regularly running between two to three hours, The Joe Rogan Experience has redefined audience engagement, proving that depth and length are no barrier to becoming the world's most dominant podcast.
