ESPN Podcasts Post Record-Setting Month in September

ESPN Audio

ESPN Podcasts Post Record-Setting Month in September

Downloads up 50% in a Year; Uniques up 36%
Fantasy Focus Football Sets Monthly Record to Lead Original Podcasts

ESPN Podcasts set a record for any month in September with 39.3 million IAB compliant downloads, breaking the record of 36.0 million set in May of this year, as measured by RawVoice.  The number reflects an increase of 50% over September 2017.

In addition, ESPN Podcasts tallied a total of 5.47 million US Unique Audience, as measured by Podtrac, an increase of 36% vs. September 2017.

Leading the way among original productions, Fantasy Focus Football enjoyed its best month in its 10-year history, with just shy of 4.6 million total IAB compliant downloads, averaging nearly 162,000 IAB compliant downloads per episode. These numbers are also bolstered by fans watching the recording of the podcast which is now streamed live on Twitter.

Overall, the list of top performers includes many ESPN Radio and television shows.  The Dan LeBatard Show led the way with 8.2 million downloads, followed by Fantasy Focus Football, then First Take and 538: Politics at 2.8 million, Pardon the Interruption with a new monthly record of 2.7 million, Golic & Wingo at 2.2 million, Jalen & Jacoby at 1.3 and The Stephen A. Smith Show at 1.2 million.

A number of other shows doubled downloads when compared to last September:  The Paul Finebaum Show, Max & Herc, That’s What She Said, The Jump, Freddie & Fitzsimmons, Spain & Fitz, and Dari & Mel.    

 

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Dave Nagle

As I write this on 11-11-21, it's now 35 years for me at ESPN, the only real job I’ve ever had. I joined merely to help with the upcoming America’s Cup in Australia. I was told it would be for three months at all of $5.50 per hour. I like to say I simply kept showing up. I’ve worked on almost every sport, plus answered viewer calls and letters (people used to write!), given tours, written the company newsletter and once drove NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon to the local airport. My travels have been varied…I’ve been to Martinsville, Darlington, Indy and Super Bowls; the America’s Cup (all 3) in San Diego and College GameDay in the sport’s meccas such as Eugene, Auburn, Lubbock, Stillwater and more; the NBA Finals, Wimbledon (16 times and counting) and the “other Bristol,” the one with a race track in Tennessee. These days, my main areas are tennis, UFC, boxing, network-wide ratings (by month/quarter/year), and corporate communications documents, including fact sheets, chronologies, lists and nearly 35 of the Year in Review press releases. UPDATE EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER: Today, November 11, 2022, I am retiring from ESPN -- 36 years to the day I began. As I ride off into the sunset – top down and E Street Radio blaring – I do so with so many wonderful memories, proud of my contributions and a heart full of gratitude for the opportunity. 
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