iHeart Audience Network Dominates February 2026 U.S. Podcast Rankings

Event summary

  • Triton Digital released its February 2026 U.S. Podcast Ranker, covering February 2–March 1, 2026.
  • iHeart Audience Network led with 70.8M average weekly downloads, followed by Audioboom (16.6M) and Cumulus Podcast Network (3.6M).
  • 'Pod Save America' (Audioboom) topped the podcast rankings, with 'Stuff You Should Know' (iHeart) and 'The Dan Bongino Show' (Cumulus) in second and third.
  • New entrants included 'Daily Radio Program with Charles Stanley - In Touch Ministries' and 'Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield'.
  • Triton’s Podcast Metrics, certified by the IAB Tech Lab, ensures standardized measurement across the industry.

The big picture

Triton Digital’s February 2026 rankings highlight the ongoing dominance of iHeart Audience Network in the U.S. podcast market, despite strong competition from Audioboom and Cumulus. The resurgence of popular shows like 'Pod Save America' and 'The Dan Bongino Show' underscores the importance of content-driven growth in an increasingly fragmented industry. The adoption of standardized measurement practices, such as Triton’s IAB-certified Podcast Metrics, is critical for maintaining transparency and trust among advertisers and content creators.

What we're watching

Market Consolidation
Whether iHeart Audience Network can maintain its dominant position amid growing competition from Audioboom and Cumulus.
Content Trends
How the resurgence of shows like 'Pod Save America' and 'The Dan Bongino Show' will impact listener preferences and ad revenue.
Measurement Standards
The pace at which Triton’s IAB-certified measurement service will be adopted by smaller networks and independent creators.