The global audio series platform Pocket FM has now released Pocket FM #Rewind2022, which highlights significant yearly developments in listener community and consumption.

According to the data, with more than 500,000 creators and more than 80 million listeners, Pocket FM has grown significantly. The platform saw 45 billion+ minutes of pleasure with 100,000+ hours of content and the addition of 1500+ audio titles, with a daily average listener bingeing for more than 110 minutes.

The industry data further revealed, consumers spend 45 minutes on short video platforms each day on average, compared to 65 minutes and 70 minutes for audio and video OTTs, respectively. On the other hand, listener time on Pocket FM is over 110 minutes per day on average.

Over 90% of the listeners’ spent time is attributed to audio series, a long-form serialised audio fiction category, pioneered and nurtured by Pocket FM. The platform has refreshed its library with 1000+ audio series titles in 2022.

Eyes are busy, ears are free!

Audio Series is the new X-factor in the entertainment space. The long-form content of Pocket FM has brought binge-listening behaviour into audio space. Audio Series are now the entertainment boosters for listeners during commute, household chores, work hours, and even, during leisure hours, reiterating the strength of audio series’ to keep the audience engaged, and entertained 24×7, irrespective of their activities.

Leisure hours account for nearly 50% of total listening time spent by consumers. Time slots between 9 am -12 pm and 9 pm -12 am have the maximum number of listeners tuned in, accounting for 35% of the total daily time spent on Pocket FM. The listening pattern throughout the day follows similar patterns. The listener community of Pocket FM has a healthy gender ratio, with males and females having 55% and 45% presence, respectively.

85% of listeners are below the 35 year age-bracket though the listener demography spreads across all age-groups.

Content has no boundaries!

The diverse content library of Pocket FM, dominated by Hindi and other Indian languages, has garnered immense popularity across corners of the country. This does not deter its Tier 1 audiences from getting entertained. Similarly, the platform’s English content is also consumed in smaller towns.

According to the Government of India, there are eight Tier 1 cities in India. These eight cities contribute 15% of Pocket FM’s listener community. Six of these eight cities are listed among Pocket FM’s Top 10 cities.

While Delhi and Mumbai lead the Top 10 cities, others like Lucknow, Indore, Patna also fare in the list of Pocket FM top listeners, including little-known Botad from Gujarat.

Audio-Series, the new binge factor!

Audio-Series has now evolved to the stature of TV-Series. Pocket FM’s long-form serialized fictional storytelling has become the prime entertainment format for their 80 million+ listener community, contributing to over 90% consumption. These audio-series range between 500-1000 episodes. Sometimes they reach 1500 episodes based on the script and listeners’ demand.

The Top 10 Audio Series on Pocket FM have garnered over 1.4 billion plays, leading to more than 10 billion minutes of streaming.

People do pay for audio, definitely for great content!

Pocket FM witnessed 10X growth in content revenue, exceeding US $25 million Annualised Revenue Run-rate (ARR) in October, using micropayment-led content monetisation. Monthly transactions exceeded a million in November 2022.

Stimulated by binge-listening, the listener community applauded the introduction of the micropayment model. The pay-as-you-listen model along with lower entry price points created wonders in Pocket FM’s revenue growth.