Brandwave

Pocket Casts vs RNZ:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, RNZ had more branded searches than Pocket Casts among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand. RNZ had about 368,000 branded searches, while Pocket Casts had 180. RNZ made up 52.3% of all podcast and radio app searches we track, and Pocket Casts accounted for 0.03%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about podcast and radio apps, RNZ appeared in four of the five answers and Pocket Casts in three. RNZ was mentioned before Pocket Casts in four out of five answers.

Among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

RNZ, about 2044 searches for every 1 for Pocket Casts

RNZ 368K searchesPocket Casts 180 searches

Who does AI mention more?

RNZ, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Pocket Casts in 3

RNZ in 4 of 5Pocket Casts in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

RNZ, named ahead of Pocket Casts in 4 of 5 answers

RNZ first in 4Pocket Casts first in 1

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Top podcast and radio apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, RNZ was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Pocket Casts was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. RNZ was listed before Pocket Casts in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. RNZ1st
  2. Spotify2nd
  3. rova3rd
  4. Pocket Casts4th
  5. iHeartRadio5th
  6. Apple Podcasts6th
  7. Overcast7th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • RNZ4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Spotify4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • iHeartRadio3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • rova3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Apple Podcasts3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Pocket Casts3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Overcast1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about podcast and radio apps

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Pocket Casts or RNZ more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Pocket Casts and RNZ by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven podcast and radio apps we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Pocket Casts and RNZ among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for RNZ, Pocket Casts. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRNZSpotifyiHeartRadiorovaApple PodcastsOvercastPocket Casts
Oct 202552.1%43.8%2.8%1%0.13%0.06%0.03%
Nov 202547.1%48.4%3%1.3%0.16%0.05%0.03%
Dec 202551.6%43.9%3.3%1%0.15%0.05%0.04%
Jan 202660.8%34.9%3.3%0.8%0.15%0.05%0.04%
Feb 202647.2%48.7%3.1%0.76%0.17%0.05%0.03%
Mar 202647.5%48.9%2.7%0.72%0.14%0.04%0.03%
Apr 202656.5%39.3%3.1%0.94%0.14%0.04%0.03%
May 202647.3%49.2%2.6%0.72%0.13%0.03%0.03%
Jun 202642.3%54%2.7%0.78%0.14%0.04%0.03%
Jul 202656.1%39.9%3%0.69%0.15%0.04%0.03%
Aug 202652%44.2%2.8%0.78%0.13%0.04%0.03%
Sep 202652.3%44%2.3%1.1%0.13%0.04%0.03%

How has the Pocket Casts and RNZ comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand podcast and radio apps in September 2026?

1 change

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Pocket Casts in New Zealand fell 14.3% over 12 measured months, from 210 to 180 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Pocket Casts’ and RNZ’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Pocket Casts

3 branded search terms

  • pocket casts
  • pocket casts podcasts
  • pocketcasts

RNZ

1 branded search term

  • RNZ

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among podcast and radio apps

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