Newsroom, November 27, 2025: India's podcast scene is evolving from earbuds-only listens to vodcasts video versions that blend spoken word with visuals—capturing Gen Z's attention amid a 63% reliance on social media for news, per a 2023 Morning Consult study.
Platforms like YouTube drive 46% of consumption, up from Spotify's 35% drop by August 2025, as creators leverage free distribution for deeper dives into geopolitics, true crime, and life stories.
This format's rise, with India ranking third globally in podcast engagement, offers unfiltered voices that traditional TV often glosses over, fostering diverse viewpoints during commutes or downtime.
Young listeners like 24-year-old software engineer Aditi Srivastava praise vodcasts for fitting seamlessly into busy days, while 23-year-old analyst Sahil Chugh values their role in building informed opinions.
Shows like Smita Prakash's ANI Podcast unpack global events, Desi Crime unravels true stories, and Realign by Humans of Bombay shares personal journeys, all gaining traction through relatable narration. Challenges persist: only 12% of Indians tune in, according to a 2024 UNPAC report, and monetisation lags behind niche ads from D2C brands like Pursue and Blue Tokai.
