: Advertising is emerging as the primary revenue driver, expected to top $1 trillion by 2026 [22]. AI is playing a central role in delivering more effective, targeted ads [16].
As screens dominate our work lives, our leisure time increasingly seeks escape from the blue light. Spotify and Apple have bet heavily on exclusive podcast deals. The intimacy of the human voice creates a connection that written or visual media struggles to match, making podcasts a crucial segment of the diet.
: Encompasses recorded music, live concerts, radio, and the rapidly expanding world of podcasts [8, 21].