Few mediums have experienced such meteoric growth in recent years as podcasts. According to the Pew Research Center, 42% of Americans aged 12 and older have listened to a podcast in the past month, marking a significant increase from a decade ago when only 12% of Americans reported the same.
With these statistics in mind, it's clear that Americans—and audiences worldwide—are looking for exciting new audio content to consume. However, as is the case with virtually every form of media, not all audio content platforms are created equal.
Audio platforms are beginning to introduce new features and styles that have made audio series an increasingly popular choice for audio entertainment. A well-produced audio series can be just as immersive as a television or streaming show, especially if the story is compelling enough to keep listeners engaged.
Pocket FM Revolutionizes the Concept of Long-Form Audio Fiction
Pocket FM is an audio series platform specialized in long-form episodic audio fiction that claims to have pioneered the audio series category in 2021. Since that time, Pocket FM has nurtured the category with 1,000+ such audio series, with each one boasting hundreds, if not thousands, of episodes. This long-form storytelling has given rise to the habit of binge listening with the average user's listening time exceeding 150 minutes daily.
The audio series on Pocket FM come in various genres—from romance to horror, fantasy, sci-fi, mythology, suspense, thriller, and everything in between—and are available in English with localized storytelling. Some of the most acclaimed and popular audio series on the Pocket FM platform include "Saving Nora" (125 million plays), "Insta Millionaire" (156 million plays), and "The Return" (180 million plays).
Pocket FM's approach to delivering entertainment through its storytelling sets it apart in this crowded landscape. Whether commuting, doing household chores, winding down, or destressing at the workplace, this format is increasingly becoming a lifestyle companion for people. Its platform is designed to help users find their next audio obsession—a show they can tune into and get hooked on, inspiring them to listen to hours upon hours every day.
According to a study conducted by Podtrac and reported by Podnews, audio streaming platform Spotify represents the largest share of the US podcast audience at 33.7% of all listeners, representing a massive portion of the podcast-listening audience in the country. However, these statistics don't necessarily reflect the dedication of this audience. For example, Spotify often includes podcasts in its radio channels and personalized playlists, meaning some of this percentage comes from people who weren't interested in or looking for podcast content but instead were looking for music.
Pocket FM's model is explicitly designed to disrupt the audio streaming industry with its library of content designed specifically to appeal to those looking to activate their imagination with a captivating audio series. In other words, while more people might listen to podcasts on the "old guard" platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, Pocket FM users are much more deliberate with their listening behavior.
The Use of AI in the Audio Content Sphere
Many AI platforms are also beginning to implement artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to improve their services. By using AI for purposes like gleaning user insights, testing new content, and providing personalized recommendations, audio platforms like Spotify are helping drive higher user engagement and retention among its user base.
The use of AI in innovative ways like this could prove transformational for the entertainment industry as a whole. As AI expert and Standard CEO Aaron Rafferty explains, "Netflix—a company who has been using AI for years—hiring a director of Generative AI for $900k should give some understanding of the level of investment. Not every company needs its own proprietary LLM, but they should be thinking about how to structure their datasets so they are not only secure but also optimized to be used by an AI model specific to their company."
Microtransactions Give Pocket FM the Edge
Besides its unique episodic long-form storytelling, what makes Pocket FM interesting is its pricing model. As a freemium app that allows limited free episodes daily, users can continue binging by paying for additional episodes, unlike other platforms that ask listeners to pay a weekly, monthly, or annual subscription. Instead, Pocket FM uses a "pay-as-you-consume" model, so users only have to spend money for any additional episodes they want to listen to.
With a vast library of content specializing in long-form shows with numerous episodes, Pocket FM is quickly becoming a favorite audio content platform for listeners who want to get absorbed into their content for hours on end. A groundbreaking business model, vast library of high-quality audio content, and innovative use of technology make Pocket FM the most exciting disruptor for the audio streaming industry. There's no better place to look for listeners looking to find their next audio obsession.
