September 30, 2026 — International Podcast Day: From Radio to YouTube
September 30 is celebrated around the world as International Podcast Day. In 2026, the holiday falls on Wednesday, September 30, and is dedicated to podcasts, their creators, and listeners. It is a day when creators are encouraged to share their shows, introduce people to new formats, and discuss how podcasts have transformed modern media.
The holiday began in 2014 in the United States as National Podcast Day. It was founded by Steve Lee, who decided to create a special day for this new medium, and the following year, the organizers renamed it International Podcast Day when creators from other countries joined the event.
International Podcast Day is celebrated annually on September 30. The date remains fixed, making it easy to remember. In 2026, the holiday falls on a Wednesday. It is not a public holiday nor an official holiday like a national day. Its main goal is to draw attention to podcasts and the people who create them. The organizers of International Podcast Day describe this day as an international opportunity to celebrate the power of podcasts and bring together creators, listeners, and industry representatives.
On September 30, you can check out a new episode of your favorite show, discover a completely different genre, or try recording your own podcast. The participation of listeners and creators is the core idea behind this day.
What Is a Podcast?
A podcast is a series of audio or video episodes that you can listen to or watch whenever it’s convenient for you. Unlike traditional radio, a podcast isn’t tied to a specific broadcast time. You can play the episode you want on your phone, computer, or any other device. Podcasts come in many different forms. They can cover news, interviews, comedy, real-life stories, criminal investigations, science, sports, culture, business, education, or simply a conversation between two friends.
Some shows consist of short episodes lasting 10–20 minutes. Other episodes can last several hours. In recent years, more and more podcasts have been released not only in audio but also in video format, so they’re watched on YouTube and other video platforms. It is precisely this freedom of format that has become one of the reasons for the popularity of podcasts. A creator doesn’t need a big studio or a TV channel to start talking about an interesting topic.
How International Podcast Day Came to Be
The idea for a dedicated day for podcasts came from Steven Lee. According to the holiday’s official website, in the summer of 2013, he heard a radio announcement about National Older Adults Day and wondered why there wasn’t a separate day for podcasting. After that, he decided to launch Podcast Day. The first celebration took place on September 30, 2014. At that time, it was called National Podcast Day and was aimed primarily at the American podcasting community. The organizers hosted a live online broadcast lasting about six hours. Podcasters from across the U.S. participated, and viewers could ask them questions. Meetings for people interested in podcasts were also held in various cities.
After the first event, the organizers realized that interest in podcasts had long since spread beyond the borders of a single country. In 2015, National Podcast Day was renamed International Podcast Day. Since then, September 30 has become an international day for podcasters. Creators from various countries joined the events, and the occasion gradually evolved into a large online community.
How the Celebration Became International
After the renaming, the organizers began hosting global broadcasts lasting several hours. These featured podcasters, producers, and others involved in the audio industry. According to the organizers, over the years they have hosted more than 200 hours of broadcasts featuring approximately 360 podcasters from nearly 100 countries. Participants included creators from Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Germany, South Africa, Spain, India, France, Canada, and many other countries.
The topics covered in these broadcasts were very diverse. Podcasters discussed how they create their shows, how they engage with their audience, where they find guests, how they record audio, and how they strive to grow their projects. There were also discussions about the future of podcasting. Over the years, individual sessions have focused on monetization, working with brands, storytelling, community building, and the use of podcasts in education. As a result, the festival became more than just a day for listeners. It turned into a platform where creators themselves could meet one another, exchange experiences, and find new audiences.
Where Did the Word “Podcast” Come From?
The history of podcasting began even before the festival itself. The invention of podcasting is often attributed to Adam Curry and Dave Winer, who in 2004 were working on a way to automatically deliver audio files to users’ devices. At the same time, the term “podcasting” itself is attributed to British journalist Ben Hammersley. He used the word in an article in The Guardian in February 2004. The name is a combination of the words “iPod” and “broadcast.” At the time, the iPod was one of the most popular portable music players, and “broadcast” means “transmission” in English.
At first, podcasting was a very technical process. Users had to download audio files and sync them with their devices. Over time, everything became much simpler. Podcasts began appearing in dedicated apps and then moved en masse to smartphones and streaming platforms. In 2005, the first major services and awards for podcasters emerged, and the audience began to grow rapidly. According to the historical timeline of International Podcast Day, Apple announced one billion podcast subscriptions in 2013.
Why Have Podcasts Become So Popular?
One of the main reasons is their convenience. You can listen to a podcast on your way to work, while working out, cleaning, or traveling. You choose the topic and when to listen. There’s no need to wait for a specific broadcast. If you like an episode, you can save it, download it, or subscribe to the entire channel. Another reason is the vast selection of topics. Unlike traditional television or radio, podcasts can cover very niche subjects. There are shows for literally any interest—from the history of a single city to discussions about video games, psychology, economics, or professional photography.
Podcasts have also given a voice to those who find it difficult to get airtime on traditional TV or radio. A creator can produce an independent show even with a small team. It is precisely this independence and diversity that International Podcast Day seeks to promote. The event’s official website directly encourages people not only to listen to podcasts but also to share their favorite shows and introduce them to others.
How International Podcast Day Is Celebrated
There’s no single required way to celebrate this day. The organizers encourage everyone to choose their own way to celebrate. One of the easiest ways is to listen to a podcast you haven’t heard before. You can choose a different country, an unfamiliar language, or a completely new genre. Another option is to share your favorite episode with friends. The official International Podcast Day website suggests using the hashtag #InternationalPodcastDay so that creators and listeners can find each other.
Podcasters can release a special episode, host a live broadcast, invite a guest, or simply tell listeners how their show is made. For beginners, this is a great excuse to finally try recording their own episode. In the past, large-scale live broadcasts were a central part of the celebration. However, the official International Podcast Day team reports that 2022 was the last year of its own major live broadcast. At the same time, the celebration itself continues, and creators and listeners are encouraged to organize their own events and join the collective online conversation.
What’s Happening in 2026
International Podcast Day in 2026 falls on Wednesday, September 30. This year, various events dedicated to podcasting are taking place around the world. For example, the EBU Podcast Forum 2026—a professional gathering of representatives from the European Broadcasting Union’s podcasting community—is taking place in Ljubljana on September 29–30. The program includes discussions on audience engagement, podcast formats, production, and new approaches to show development.
Also, on September 30, 2026, several international online and in-person events are scheduled for creators and listeners. For example, in 2026, an online event will be held with participants from various countries, focusing on podcast development, storytelling, and audience engagement. Separate festivals are also held on this day for content creators. For example, on September 30 in Ibiza, a one-day event called “Podcast in Paradise” is scheduled, focused on podcast production, audio engineering, audience growth, and monetization. In other words, today the celebration is no longer limited to a single major broadcast. It’s more like an international occasion around which various teams, podcasters, and media outlets create their own events.
Interesting Facts About Podcasts
The first podcasts appeared long before this format became mainstream. In 2004, technologies began to emerge that allowed users to automatically receive new audio files via RSS. This became one of the foundations of modern podcasting.
The term “podcasting” itself also emerged in 2004. It is attributed to Ben Hammersley, who used the word in an article in The Guardian. Thus, the name of the new format was born virtually at the same time as its early development.
Podcasts don’t have to be just audio. Today, many shows release video versions at the same time. This allows listeners not only to hear the conversation but also to see the hosts and guests.
Another distinctive feature is the lack of strict rules regarding length. One episode may last a few minutes, while another may last several hours.
A podcast can be created by a single person with a microphone and a laptop. But large-scale shows involve dozens of people: hosts, producers, editors, sound engineers, camera operators, and managers.
Why This Day Is Important
International Podcast Day actually celebrates more than just a specific format. It serves as a reminder of the opportunity every person has to create their own media and speak directly to their audience. Podcasts have made it possible to tell stories without traditional broadcasts, large studios, or TV newsrooms. Thanks to this, many new creators and entire media niches have emerged that previously hardly existed.
For listeners, it’s also a convenient format. You can decide for yourself what to watch or listen to, who to listen to, and when to do so. On September 30, you can simply tune in to your favorite podcast or discover a new one. Or you can take it a step further—record your own idea, share a recommendation, or support an independent creator. That’s exactly what International Podcast Day is all about: listening, creating, sharing, and keeping the conversation going.
