Mamamia Hits Second in Podcast Ranker After Key Role Made Redundant

Mamamia Hits Second in Podcast Ranker After Key Role Made Redundant

Mediaweek (Australia)
Mediaweek (Australia)May 19, 2026

Why It Matters

Mamamia’s audience strength combined with staff cuts highlights the tension between growth and automation in podcast production, while the ranker provides advertisers a reliable metric for targeting high‑engagement listeners.

Key Takeaways

  • Mamamia Out Loud reached 722,478 monthly Australian listeners.
  • Hamish & Andy retained top spot with 832,058 listeners.
  • News genre led with nearly 5 million monthly listeners.
  • Male 25‑54 audience drives sports, tech, leisure podcast ads.
  • Mamamia cut ~10 staff, citing AI‑related restructuring.

Pulse Analysis

The Australian Podcast Ranker, compiled by Commercial Radio & Audio and Triton Digital, offers the most granular snapshot of listener behavior in the country. In April 2026, the list confirmed that comedy duo Hamish & Andy remain the nation’s most‑watched show, pulling in 832,058 monthly listeners. Close behind, Mamamia Out Loud captured 722,478 ears, cementing its place among the top‑five podcasts alongside Sky News Australia Update, The New York Times Daily, and ABC News Top Stories. Genre data reveal news commanding almost five million monthly listeners, outpacing society & culture and sports, signaling a continued appetite for timely information.

Mamamia’s second‑place finish is noteworthy because it arrived amid a wave of internal cuts. Senior producer Claire Murphy disclosed that roughly ten colleagues were made redundant, a move she attributes to a broader AI‑driven restructuring rather than performance issues. While AI tools can automate editing and transcription, Murphy argues that creative decision‑making and host‑guest dynamics remain human‑centric. The downsizing underscores a growing industry dilemma: balancing cost efficiencies from automation with the need to preserve the editorial voice that attracts loyal audiences.

For advertisers, the Ranker’s transparent methodology is a welcome development. CRA’s CEO Lizzie Young emphasized that verified data turns audience interest into measurable investment, especially as brands target the lucrative male 25‑54 segment that dominates sports, technology and leisure podcasts. With 82 percent of this cohort employed full‑time and 60 percent car owners, marketers can align messaging with high‑spending consumers ahead of seasonal events like Father’s Day. As podcast listenership continues to outpace traditional radio, brands that leverage these insights will secure a competitive edge in the digital audio arena.

Mamamia hits second in Podcast Ranker after key role made redundant

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