Media consumption is climbing again after years of slower growth, thanks partly to genAI. New forecasts reveal how AI, streaming video, live sports, and converged TV are reshaping how US adults spend their time—and driving more screen time in the process.

YouTube/YouTube Music is the most-used digital audio platform, reaching 51% of US digital audio listeners and standing alone as the only option to clear the halfway mark, according to a March 2026 Harris Poll and EMARKETER survey.

Gen Z adults spend 48 hours a month on Spotify's mobile app, 2.9 times the 16.8 hours they spend on YouTube's, according to a February survey from Comscore.

Spotify debuts podcast badges to fight AI slop: Platforms are turning to patchwork solutions as they struggle to contain the flood.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss three big questions surrounding Spotify right now: Why has the audio giant’s ad revenue stalled? What would a Spotify lifestyle app look like? Has Spotify solved the AI problem by adding “Verified” badges to distinguish human artists from AI-generated ones? And more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Senior Editor of our Marketing and Advertising Briefing, Daniel Konstantinovic. Listen everywhere, or watch on YouTube and Spotify.

How can audio ad buyers calibrate their ad spending and budget allocations against the market, and how can media companies and solution providers assess whether their ad revenues are in line with industry trends?

Apple-Spotify alliance redraws video podcast playbook: Shared tech and revenues lower barriers for video podcasts, leaving YouTube as the only major the lone silo.

Gen Z’s audio habits are rapidly shifting as streaming, social discovery, and multitasking reshape engagement. Music still dominates, but video podcasts and always-on listening are fragmenting attention and redefining how content is found and consumed.

Music streaming apps hit saturation: As downloads stall, platforms bulk up bundles to justify higher fees and retain paying fans.

Guidance clouds Spotify’s outlook: Q1 revenues rose, but lower-than-expected guidance and ad struggles rattled investors and raised monetization concerns.

SiriusXM and iHeartMedia eye scale: Merger talks aim to pool reach and ad heft as radio revenues stall and digital adoption rises.

Audio is leading the story as Spotify allows for users to disable video, but carousel ads and Sponsored Playlists keep visuals in play.

Spotify is expanding to visual ads with carousel units and playlist takeovers that aim to prove it can rival YouTube on performance.

Podcast growth outpaces social, with trusted hosts driving purchases and attention other feeds can’t match.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the three big questions surrounding Spotify right now: What will the audio giant do about AI slop? Can it generate significant revenue from advertising? Will people sit down in their living rooms and turn on a podcast to watch, en masse? And more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Senior Analyst Ross Benes and Senior Editor Daniel Konstantinovic. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

What began as an audio-only medium now spans video formats, connected TV screens, and creator-driven content that rivals traditional television.

Podcast skipping may be overstated, as playback data shows many shows retain 90% or more of listeners through ad breaks.

Spotify is scaling its programmatic push, with Ad Exchange advertisers jumping 222% as reserved buys and stronger measurement court brand budgets.