Another Record Setting Month for ESPN Podcasts

ESPN Audio

Another Record Setting Month for ESPN Podcasts

Downloads in October:  A New Monthly Record – 43.6 Million; Year to Date up 55%

New High for Unique Users:  6.3 Million

 

For the second straight month and third time in 2018, ESPN Podcasts set a record for any month in its history with 43.6 million IAB compliant downloads in October, as measured by RawVoice.  September had seen 39.3 million downloads, the previous high.  The October 2018 figure reflects an increase of 31% over October 2017 and includes a record 11 titles each driving over a million downloads.

For the year to date, ESPN has 344.9 million downloads, more than 2017’s total and an increase through October of 55%.

“ESPN Podcasts continues to set new highs,” said Tom Ricks, vice president, digital strategy and marketing.  “This kind of growth in a year comes from new story telling with the 30 for 30 series, the addition of compelling new personalities and from signature voices and shows.  We’re excited for where ESPN’s podcast business is going.”

In addition, ESPN Podcasts tallied a total of 6.3 million US Unique Audience, as measured by Podtrac, a new monthly record and an increase of 31% vs. October 2017.

Leading the way among original productions, Fantasy Focus Football posted 4.2 million total IAB compliant downloads, up 18% over October 2017.

Overall, the list of top performers includes many ESPN Radio and television shows.  The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz led the way with 8.3 million downloads, followed by Fantasy Focus Football, 538: Politics at 3.4 million, First Take at 3 million, and Pardon the Interruption at 2.9 million, a new monthly record for the show. Additionally, Golic and Wingo, Jalen & Jacoby, 30 for 30, The Lowe Post, The Stephen A. Smith Show and Baseball Tonight also each drove over a million October downloads.

 

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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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