Goalhanger is experiencing unprecedented success with its shows ‘The Rest Is Politics’ and ‘The Rest Is Football.’
These programmes have not only broken download records but also reshaped media consumption habits.
Impressive Download Numbers
Gary Lineker’s Goalhanger has achieved phenomenal success with ‘The Rest is Politics’ and ‘The Rest is Football.’ From May 22nd to July 5th, ‘The Rest Is Politics’ and its companion show, ‘Leading,’ reached a staggering 21.6 million combined downloads and full-episode YouTube views. This demonstrates the show’s growing influence and popularity.
Moreover, the visibility of ‘The Rest Is Politics’ was bolstered when Channel 4 included it in their General Election coverage. With hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, it attracted an additional 1 million viewers, further solidifying its place in media consumption trends.
The Rest Is Football’s Surge
During the Euros competition from June 14th to July 16th, ‘The Rest Is Football’ experienced a significant boost. Hosted by Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards, the show surpassed 19.6 million total downloads and full-episode YouTube views.
The show received over 66 million views across social media platforms during the Euros period, showcasing its broad appeal and engagement among football fans.
Other Success Stories
Other shows in the Goalhanger lineup have also seen impressive growth. ‘The Rest Is History,’ hosted by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, released acclaimed series on ‘The Road to the Great War’ and ‘The French Revolution.’
Additionally, ‘The Rest Is History’ announced a second book with Bloomsbury, signalling its ongoing relevance and success.
‘The Rest Is Entertainment,’ hosted by Richard Osman and Marina Hyde, maintained strong positioning in the UK podcast charts. Most of Goalhanger’s titles consistently rank in the top 15 this year, reflecting their widespread popularity.
Demographic Insights
Tony Pastor, Co-Founder at Goalhanger, noted that the success of Goalhanger’s shows disproves the idea that the so-called TikTok generation only wants short-form content. Half of their audience is under 33 years old.
These younger audiences enjoy long-form conversations on varied topics, from history to politics to sports and entertainment. This trend highlights a shift towards deeper engagement in media consumption.
Audience Engagement
Tony Pastor emphasised the ability of Goalhanger to be nimble and react quickly to breaking news. This flexibility has proven immensely popular with audiences.
In the build-up to the election, ‘The Rest Is Politics’ went daily and attracted audiences north of 700,000 audio downloads per episode. People appreciated the insights of Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell.
Fan Reactions
Gary Lineker shared his excitement about hosting ‘The Rest Is Football’ during the Euros with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. He described the experience as a blast.
He noted the fans’ amazing response, saying it was fun to share laughs, stories, and insights about the event’s highs and lows.
Lineker added that, while everyone has an opinion during a major tournament, the listeners and viewers have shown they appreciate insightful discussion with a good bit of banter.
Political Impact
Alastair Campbell remarked on the positive reception of ‘The Rest Is Politics’ during the General Election. He and Rory Stewart aim to provide balanced debate and clarity amidst the constant noise of 24-hour news.
Ending the campaign as official co-hosts of Channel 4’s all-night election coverage, concluding with a landslide victory for Labour, marked a significant milestone in ‘The Rest Is Politics’ busy period.
Goalhanger’s record-breaking success with ‘The Rest Is Politics’ and ‘The Rest Is Football’ is a testament to its ability to engage a diverse audience.
With its nimble content strategy and strong host lineup, Goalhanger is set to continue its impressive growth trajectory.
