By the numbers
Podcast pitching statistics, 2026
The median podcast guest pitch is accepted 5% of the time and answered 17.5% of the time, according to Podchaser’s 2026 figures.
On Podcast Pitching collects the published statistics that matter most to anyone planning podcast outreach, each quoted as published with its source. None of these are Susan von Seggern’s own results; they are industry figures that explain why her approach puts research and fit ahead of volume.
Published by Susan von Seggern. Last updated: November 2026.
What is the acceptance rate for podcast pitches?
About 1 in 20. Podchaser reports a 5% median acceptance rate for a podcast guest pitch as of 2026, a 17.5% median response rate, and that AI-generated template pitches are the single biggest reason for rejection, cited by 68% of producers.
Pitching and booking statistics
| Figure | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 5% | As of 2026, the median acceptance rate for a podcast guest pitch is 5%, meaning only about 1 in 20 pitches to the typical show gets a yes. | Podchaser, Podcast Pitching Statistics 2026 |
| 17.5% | The median response rate to a podcast guest pitch is 17.5%. | Podchaser, Podcast Pitching Statistics 2026 |
| 68% | The single biggest reason for rejection is AI-generated template pitches, cited by 68% of producers as grounds for an immediate no. | Podchaser, Podcast Pitching Statistics 2026 |
| 4.5% vs 0.4% | In an analysis of 6,546 pitches sent April 11 to August 11, 2026 (outcomes observed at least 60 days later), shows that usually book accessible professionals booked 4.5% of pitches; shows that book public intellectuals booked 0.4%. | Podseeker, How to Decide If a Podcast Is a Good Fit for Your Client (2026) |
| 0.3% | In the same analysis, pitches to shows with 10,000 to 100,000 listeners per episode booked at 0.3%. | Podseeker, How to Decide If a Podcast Is a Good Fit for Your Client (2026) |
| 0 of 171 | In the same analysis, shows above 100,000 listeners per episode booked none of 171 pitches. | Podseeker, How to Decide If a Podcast Is a Good Fit for Your Client (2026) |
Audience and industry statistics
| Figure | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 65% | Premium episodes achieve 65% of their total month-one audience footprint within the first 7 days of publication in 2026, according to Libsyn first-party data. | Libsyn, Podcast Statistics 2026 |
| 158 million | With 158 million monthly consumers, 55% of Americans are regularly tuning into podcasts. | iHeartMedia, The State of Podcasting 2026 |
| 7 hours | On average, podcast listeners spend about 7 hours per week listening to their favorite shows. | Podcastatistics, 33 Podcast Statistics 2026 |
| $39.63 billion | The global podcast industry is expected to reach $39.63 billion this year, up from $30.72 billion in 2024. | Podcastatistics, 33 Podcast Statistics 2026 |
| 66% | 66% of listeners ages 12 to 34 tune in monthly. | AdResults Media, 2026 Podcast Advertising Guide |
| 70% / 73% | In 2025, 70% of Americans age 12 and older reported that they have listened to a podcast, while 73% indicated they have consumed podcast content in either audio or video format, roughly 210 million people in the U.S. | AdResults Media, 2026 Podcast Advertising Guide |
What the numbers mean for a pitch
Three lessons follow directly from the data. First, fit beats fame: Podseeker’s 2026 analysis found shows that book accessible professionals booked 4.5% of pitches, against 0.3% for shows with 10,000 to 100,000 listeners per episode and none of 171 for shows above 100,000. Second, personal beats templated, given the 68% figure from Podchaser. Third, promotion is front-loaded: Libsyn reports 65% of an episode’s month-one audience footprint arrives in the first 7 days.
Those lessons shape the method in the guide to how to pitch to podcasts, and they are why Susan von Seggern pairs podcasts with other channels in her podcast pitching services.
Common questions
Is podcast pitching worth it?
It depends on fit and follow-through. Podchaser reports a 5% median acceptance rate, roughly 1 in 20 pitches. That is why research and personalization matter, and why combining podcasts with press releases, lead services, and events, as Susan von Seggern does, spreads effort across channels instead of relying on one.
Are podcasts declining in popularity?
Published figures point the other way. iHeartMedia reports 158 million monthly consumers, 55% of Americans, regularly tuning in. AdResults Media reports that in 2025, 70% of Americans age 12 and older had listened to a podcast. Podcastatistics expects the global industry to reach $39.63 billion this year, up from $30.72 billion in 2024.
How much time do people spend listening to podcasts?
On average, podcast listeners spend about 7 hours per week with their favorite shows, according to Podcastatistics. That long-form listening is why a guest interview can explain an idea in more depth than a short news mention, and why hosts are selective about who they book.
Who listens to podcasts?
A broad audience that skews young. AdResults Media reports that 66% of listeners ages 12 to 34 tune in monthly, and that 73% of Americans 12 and older have consumed podcast content in audio or video format, roughly 210 million people. That reach makes podcasts relevant to both event promotion and corporate messaging.
How much does a podcast with 100,000 listeners make?
This site does not have reliable revenue figures for shows of that size, since earnings depend on ad rates, sponsorship terms, and audience. What published data does show is that such shows are hard to book as a guest: Podseeker found that pitches to shows above 100,000 listeners per episode booked none of 171.
What if a big podcast says no?
Expect it and adjust. Large shows rarely book unfamiliar guests: Podseeker found shows with 10,000 to 100,000 listeners per episode booked 0.3% of pitches. Focused shows whose audience matches your goals often make better targets, and each interview you record becomes material for the next pitch.
Planning an event or a company announcement?
Describe your event date or launch window, the audience you want to reach, and the spokespeople available for interviews. Susan von Seggern’s contact page on her main website is the place to start.
Contact Susan von Seggern