During the lockdowns, podcast usage increased worldwide by 42 percent. The pandemic has hastened the usual rise in podcast consumption in the US. After just one month of the pandemic, US podcast consumption increased by 18 percent, according to Forbes. 

The fact that podcasts are essentially the audio equivalent of Netflix and that listenership increased dramatically during the lockout makes matters worse. With more time on their hands, a desire to interact with others in an era of physical and social isolation, and the freedom to listen whenever and wherever one pleases, podcasts are a logical fit for the daily routine.

Podcasts will likely continue to exist. Additionally, the region is on a clear growth trajectory, which portends enormous prospects, especially from an Arabic standpoint. An emerging generation of podcasts is fueling their growth and, in turn, their complexity as they acquire more significant momentum around the region. Small communities of content makers appear everywhere, from Lebanon to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan.

What Comes Next?

Despite the community still being developed, it has enormous potential. Our emphasis on fictional storytelling and original material fills a market vacuum that was previously unmet, especially in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

The chance to talk to Arabic audiences in a way that truly resonates with them exists, and there is an intense hunger for it. The trust factor is also high, and the engagement metrics are vital. And that has to be worth paying attention to when interacting with audiences after the pandemic.