Welcome to the virtual town square

Photo: AFP

THE way people gather to share ideas has changed. Where once it was the town square or the coffee shop, today it is a pair of headphones. Podcasts have become the modern gathering place, a space where conversations stretch, ideas breathe, and communities form. They are not just entertainment; they are the new town square.

Globally, podcasts are no longer a niche hobby. There are now more than 580 million listeners worldwide, and the number is still growing. Asia-Pacific is home to some of the most engaged podcast audiences globally. Indonesia leads the region with 59% of consumers listening at least an hour per week, followed by Thailand and India at 54% each. This reflects a clear shift in how people across the region choose to stay informed, entertained, and connected.