Podcasting Powerhouse: Bartlett's $60M Forecast
Steven Bartlett's hit podcast The Diary of a CEO is on track to generate approximately $60 million in annual revenue this year, according to a Fortune report published October 20, 2026. The forecast caps a remarkable rise for the show, which Bartlett began with little more than a laptop and a $100 microphone covered by a sock.
The revenue projection comes as the podcast, which features long-form interviews with business leaders, athletes, and celebrities, continues to expand its commercial footprint beyond advertising into products, subscriptions, and live events. Bartlett told Fortune that the business has grown by prioritizing audience trust over short-term payouts, including turning down a lucrative distribution deal that would have required airing 12 advertisements per episode—four times the current ad load—and removing the show from YouTube.
"One of the central reasons why I turned down such an offer is because that is four times more ads than I have to put in now," Bartlett said. He described such arrangements with "fragmentation vultures" as potentially sacrificing both revenue and control over the audience relationship.
Chart Dominance Across Three Continents
The revenue milestone coincides with unprecedented chart performance. According to data from podcast chart tracker Podhash, The Diary of a CEO held the No. 1 spot on Spotify's Business podcast charts in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia simultaneously on October 17 and 18, 2026. The show has maintained the top position on all three business charts every day since Podhash began tracking on August 24, 2026.
On Spotify's broader Top Podcasts chart for October 18, the show ranked No. 2 in Canada and Australia, No. 7 in the UK, and No. 9 in the US. The US ranking represented a two-place climb from No. 11 the previous day.
Independent measurement firm Podscribe ranked The Diary of a CEO as the No. 1 podcast worldwide by downloads and views per episode in July 2026, a position it also held in March. Among the ten largest podcasts by audio reach, Bartlett's show recorded the highest combined downloads and views at approximately 57.6 million. Social Blade data from early October suggests the program is YouTube's fastest-growing podcast and the most-viewed long-form podcast on the platform.
From Dragons' Den to Global Audience
Bartlett's profile has risen steadily since he became the youngest-ever investor on the BBC's Dragons' Den in 2021. He also founded Steven.com, a venture valued at $425 million. His podcast was Spotify's second most-popular podcast worldwide in 2025, and its momentum has only accelerated this year.
The host's crossover appeal was on display at the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala in mid-October, where he discussed his recent debut on ABC's Shark Tank. Bartlett credited advice from tennis legend Roger Federer—who noted in a 2024 Dartmouth commencement speech that he won only about 54 percent of the points in his career—with helping him manage high-pressure moments. Bartlett and Kendra Scott ultimately invested $200,000 for a 20 percent stake in Pup Stack, a weighted dog anchor with a retractable leash, beating offers from Kevin O'Leary and Lori Greiner.
The combination of chart dominance, a growing business empire, and mainstream television appearances has positioned Bartlett as one of the most influential voices in podcasting. His show's success comes as the podcast industry increasingly rewards scale and direct audience relationships, with top creators diversifying revenue through subscriptions, live events, and merchandise.
The Business of Podcasting
The $60 million revenue forecast underscores the growing financial potential of podcasting, particularly for shows that own their distribution and maintain tight control over advertising. Bartlett's decision to reject a high-paying distribution deal in favor of a more measured ad approach reflects a broader trend among top creators who prioritize long-term audience loyalty over immediate monetization.
The podcast's ability to top business charts in three major English-speaking markets simultaneously also highlights its global reach. Spotify's country-specific charts are built from local listening data, meaning the same show resonated independently with audiences in the US, UK, and Australia.
As The Diary of a CEO continues to expand—both in revenue and audience—Bartlett's approach offers a case study in building a media business that balances commercial success with editorial independence. The coming months will reveal whether the $60 million forecast holds and whether the show can overtake Joe Rogan's podcast as the most-subscribed on YouTube, a milestone Fortune reports it is on track to achieve.
For now, Bartlett's microphone—once covered by a sock—has become the centerpiece of a multi-million-dollar enterprise, and the business world is watching closely.
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