Mumbai: Pocket FM has unveiled its Entertainment Insights ’25 report, one of the largest entertainment surveys in the country, capturing the voices of 20,538 digital entertainment consumers across India. The report reveals how audio series have emerged as India’s most intimate entertainment format, rivaling OTT binge sessions and redefining how the nation consumes stories.
The survey highlights how audio storytelling has seamlessly embedded itself into daily life. Nearly one in two listeners binge more than 10 episodes a day, while over 70% follow at least two audio series daily. For many, audio is no longer a filler but a central source of engagement — 50% listen for over 90 minutes daily, and 35% tune in for more than two hours.
What sets audio apart is its adaptability. 60% prefer listening during leisure hours, while others weave it into their routines — with 48% listening during commutes, 32% while working, 24% during chores, and 21% during workouts.
Drama (40%), Romance (37%), Sci-Fi/Fantasy (37%), and Thriller/Horror (34%) dominate preferences, proving that India’s love for emotionally charged narratives remains undiminished. Interestingly, 86% of listeners prefer episodic audio dramas over audiobooks, podcasts, or music.
While Hindi leads with 53% of listeners, regional languages like Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam are quickly rising, making audio a cultural equalizer that transcends bandwidth and geography.
The Business of Binge: Micropayments Over Subscriptions
Three out of four listeners prefer micro-payments, choosing to pay per episode rather than monthly subscriptions, reflecting India’s broader digital payment habits and making entertainment more accessible.
Another major shift is technology’s role in shaping narratives. 80% of respondents expressed openness to AI-generated content, as long as it resonates emotionally.
Commenting on the findings, Rohan Nayak, Cofounder & CEO, Pocket Entertainment, said, “India has always been a storytelling nation for long, from epics to Bollywood blockbusters. But what we are seeing now is a generational pivot. People aren’t switching off screens because they dislike video; they are choosing audio series because it gives them something video cannot — intimacy, imagination, and freedom from the mundane. The numbers are telling us something very powerful, and I strongly believe that the future of pop culture will not be defined by what we see, but equally by what we hear.”
The online survey was conducted between June 5 and July 20, 2025, with 55% male and 45% female respondents. A significant 84% belonged to the 18–35 age group, with more than half being employed professionals or business owners.
