The Sport Social Podcast Network has recently made headlines by reaching an impressive milestone of 10 million monthly downloads. This achievement is a testament to the network's growing popularity and influence in the world of sports broadcasting.
A significant factor contributing to this success was the 'summer of sport'. Downloads surged by a staggering 58.8% between July and August, driven largely by the popularity of cricket and tennis podcasts. This period saw major sporting events taking place across various disciplines, capturing global attention and driving fans towards engaging content like that provided by The Sport Social Podcast Network.
Sophie Hind, managing director at Voiceworks Sport, said:
“The growth of Sport Social across 2023 has been exceptional and something we’ll be ramping up even further in 2024, with discussions in place with some brilliant existing shows and with clubs and teams keen to launch their first forays into podcasting through the network.”
The network's growth has also been fueled by several notable additions to its roster. These include official podcasts from Premier League clubs such as Manchester City, Brighton, West Ham, Wolves, as well as Scottish powerhouse Celtic. Major non-official podcasts like The Anfield Wrap have also joined the network.
Football is just the latest addition to the network, but they've been making noise in the NFL and Cricket for quite some time.
In addition to football-focused content, other sports are well-represented on the platform too. NFL podcast "The Nat Coombs Show" and "Storylines: The Women’s Cricket Podcast" have become part of over 350 shows available on the network.
Jim Salveson, director of sport at Voiceworks, said:
“There is so much appetite from listeners for shows that delve into their favourite sports or clubs, and we’re seeing rights holders, creators and brands alike recognising this and seizing the opportunity to engage with listeners through podcasts. They understand the power that sport-focused podcasts can offer as a tool to reach extremely engaged, specific audiences all year-round.”
With its domestic success firmly established, The Sport Social Podcast Network is now setting its sights on international expansion. It plans to extend partnerships in established markets like for the US and Australian fans while simultaneously launching operations in new territories such as Germany and France.
Earlier this year, Voiceworks Sport - operator of The Sports Social Podcast Network - appointed Ruth Fitzsimmons as Head of International operations. Fitzsimmons brings extensive experience from her previous roles as Managing Director at PodFront UK and SVP Operations at Audioboom.
The Sport Social Podcast Network's recent achievements highlight its potential as a leading platform for sports content. With plans for international expansion underway, it is set to become an even more significant player in global sports broadcasting.
