The most listened-to podcasts in 2023

10/10/2023 Optimize your media budgets

Podcasts continue to rise in France, solidifying their position as one of the most influential media. Here is the ranking of the 20 most listened to podcasts in France in 2023.

Summary of the article : the most listened to podcasts in 2023 :

Top 20 most listened to podcasts in France in 2023
The overall audio landscape in France in 2023
Podcasts in the Audio Ecosystem
Opportunities for advertisers and brands

Top 20 most listened to podcasts in France in 2023

In 2023, podcasting has firmly established its popularity in France, asserting itself as an influential media. Digital platforms have accelerated audio consumption, with radio leading the way.

Médiamétrie's Global Audio study reveals that in 2023, 84% of French people aged 15 to 80, or 42 million individuals, listen to at least one audio content every day. Nearly all French people (97%) listen to audio content at least once a month.

Let's dive into the top 20 most listened to podcasts in France for the year 2023:

Rank	Podcast	Worldwide downloads	Downloads in France	Brand	Number of Episodes
1	Transfert	1,696,468	1,329,378	Slate	284
2	Les actus du jour - Hugo Décrypte	1,550,878	1,174,938	Hugo Décrypte	645
3	Métamorphose, éveille ta conscience !	1,147,624	1,147,624	Métamorphose	774
4	Bliss stories	950,143	795,271	Bliss stories	245
5	L'appel trop con	910,408	711,432	Rire et chansons	1,291
6	CRIMES • Histoires Vraies	868,558	614,371	Studio Minuit	430
7	Code source	828,043	642,971	Le Parisien	1,073
8	Montreux Comedy Edition Audio	756,572	585,561	Montreux Comedy	262
9	La Story	676,381	504,907	Les Echos	1,070
10	Émotions	477,960	331,719	Louie Media	200
11	Manu dans le 6/10 : Le best-of	427,255	368,508	NRJ	3,552
12	Les couilles sur la table	412,154	301,297	Binge Audio	121
13	SHERLOCK HOLMES • Les enquêtes	400,269	308,160	Studio Minuit	280
14	Le Précepteur	376,360	243,206	Charles Robin	133
15	Somnifère, le podcast pour s'endormir	367,693	291,722	291,722	401
16	C'Cauet	342,619	260,348	NRJ	3,117
17	Raconte-moi une bêtise	325,028	289,426	Initial Studio	49
18	La Loupe	323,920	243,123	L'Express	576
19	Passages	312,923	245,201	245,201	119
20	La grande histoire de Pomme d'Api	272,645	217,079	Pomme d'Api	71

Transfert

Slate's "Transfert" podcast tops the ranking with 1,329,378 downloads in France. This podcast mainly covers topics related to culture and society, often through captivating true stories. It caters to a fairly broad audience interested in deep reflections on various social issues.

Les actus du jour - Hugo Décrypte

In second place, "Les actus du jour - Hugo Décrypte" records 1,174,938 downloads and focuses on current affairs. This podcast is particularly popular among those looking to understand the day's news in a decoded and simplified format. This concise and accessible format has attracted many young French listeners in 2023. Hugo Travers, the host of this podcast, has seen his popularity soar and even secured an interview with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Métamorphose, éveille ta conscience

In third place, "Métamorphose, éveille ta conscience!" with 1,147,624 downloads, retains its third position. This podcast covers topics related to fitness and health, targeting an audience interested in well-being and personal development.

These three podcasts cover a wide range of topics - from culture to current affairs to well-being. Their popularity reflects the diverse appetite of the French audience for high-quality audio content.

>>> If you want to discover the 2021 ranking, it's over here.

The overall audio landscape in France in 2023

These data clearly show that podcasting has solidified its position as an influential media in the French audio ecosystem. It offers tremendous potential not only in terms of audience but also opportunities for advertisers. Digital, especially mobile devices, plays a key role in this ascent, making podcasts more accessible and integrated into the daily lives of the French.

Audio format is omnipresent in the daily lives of the French, whether it's morning, afternoon, or evening. Particularly, young people aged 15 to 24 prefer to listen in the evening, with 39% of their total audio consumption taking place between 6 p.m. and midnight.

>>> Discover how much podcast advertising costs.

Podcasts in the audio ecosystem

Podcasts gather nearly 20 million monthly listeners in France in 2023. This format represents 5% of the total volume of daily audio consumption, in addition to radio, which accounts for 58%.

It's interesting to note that over half of daily audio consumption is done on digital platforms, with smartphones leading the way. After 9 p.m., digital consumption even represents 71% of listening volume, underscoring the growing importance of digital audio, including podcasts.

Opportunities for advertisers and brands

The H1 2023 BUMP revealed encouraging figures regarding audio. Digital audio generated over 16 million euros in net revenue during this period, a 28.2% increase compared to H1 2022. This significant growth affirms that advertising in podcasts represents an opportunity not to be overlooked.

Médiamétrie's 2023 study indicates that radio accounts for three-quarters of daily free audio consumption (67% for live radio and 7% for radio, replay, and native podcasts), making it a preferred medium for advertisers.

>>> If you want to learn all about sponsoring or creating native podcasts: what solutions are available for businesses? It's here.