
Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast
EMARKETER’s podcast, Behind the Numbers, helps marketers, retailers, and advertisers understand the rapidly changing landscape of digital media. EMARKETER analysts and industry experts come together to analyze a wide variety of critical topics, from the transformative influence of AI to the dynamic world of social media, and the evolving landscape of consumer shopping habits. Stay informed and stay ahead with insights and analysis that matter. Tune in to new episodes published Monday through Friday wherever you find podcasts.
Latest episodes

10 snips
Jan 31, 2025 • 27min
Behind The Numbers: Netflix Breaks Records: Can Its Playbook Be Replicated? | Jan 31, 2025
Join Paul Verna, Vice President at eMarketer, as he dives into Netflix's record-breaking subscriber growth and quarterly revenue surge. They explore the power of popular content, like NFL games and original series, in driving subscriptions. The conversation shifts to Netflix's ambitious pivot toward live sports streaming and its battle against giants like Amazon. Plus, Paul discusses Netflix's transformation into an all-encompassing entertainment hub, reflecting on its strategies and challenges amidst rising subscription prices.

Jan 29, 2025 • 23min
Reimagining Retail: The Unofficial Most Interesting Retailers List (January) | Jan 29, 2025
On today's podcast episode, we discuss the unofficial list of the most interesting retailers for the month of January. Each month, our analysts Arielle Feger, Becky Schilling, and Sara Lebow (aka The Committee) put together a very unofficial list of the top eight retailers they're watching based on which are making the most interesting moves: Who's launching new initiatives? Which partnerships are moving the needle? Which standout marketing campaigns are being created? In this month's episode, Committee members Analyst Arielle Feger and Senior Analyst Sara Lebow will defend their list against Senior Analyst Zak Stambor and Analyst Rachel Wolff, who will dispute the power rankings by attempting to move retailers up, down, on, or off the list.
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
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Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-reimagining-retail-unofficial-most-interesting-retailers-list-january-2025
© 2025 EMARKETER

Jan 27, 2025 • 29min
Behind the Numbers: Digital Health Trends for 2025—DTC Drugs and How Rising Health Costs Are Changing Consumer Behavior | Jan 27, 2025
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the trend of healthcare and pharmaceutical brands selling prescription drugs, treatments, and medical services directly to consumers and how rising medical costs are changing patients’ relationship with the healthcare system. Tune in to the conversation with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, and Senior Analysts Dane Finley and Rajiv Leventhal. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
Reports mentioned in this episode:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/health-trends-watch-2025
Follow us on Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us:
advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit:
https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-behind-numbers-digital-health-trends-2025
© 2025 EMARKETER

Jan 24, 2025 • 24min
Behind the Numbers: Forecasting Trends for 2025—Digital Pay-TV Petering Out and Why Livestream Shopping is (and Isn't) Taking Off | Jan 24, 2025
On today's podcast episode, we discuss why households with no pay-TV (traditional or digital) will be the majority and if livestream shopping in America can become habitual. Tune in to the conversation with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Forecasting Writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, and Senior Director of Forecasting Oscar Orozco. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-behind-numbers-forecasting-trends-2025-digital-pay-tv-petering-why-livestream-shopping
© 2025 EMARKETER

Jan 22, 2025 • 17min
Reimagining Retail: The Most Interesting 2025 Retail Trends We Have Heard (and Expect to Hear) Outside of EMARKETER | Jan 22, 2025
On today's podcast episode, we discuss the most interesting 2025 retail trends that we heard at NRF, and expect to hear at eTail, ShopTalk, and other events. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Chief Content Officer Zia Daniell Wigder and Vice President Suzy Davidkhanian.
Follow us on Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us:
advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit:
https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-reimagining-retail-most-interesting-2025-retail-trends-outside-of-emarketer
© 2025 EMARKETER

Jan 21, 2025 • 25min
Behind the Numbers: Technology Trends for 2025—AI Agents and the Smart Glasses Portal Into Spatial Computing | Jan 21, 2025
On today's podcast episode, we discuss how much we will actually be using AI agents this year, what happens when they start talking to each other, and how much Apple is likely to move the smart glasses adoption needle. Tune in to the conversation with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Technology Analyst Jacob Bourne and Senior Analyst Gadjo Sevilla. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-behind-numbers-technology-trends-2025-ai-agents-smart-glasses-portal-spatial-computing
© 2025 EMARKETER

Jan 18, 2025 • 5min
Behind the Numbers Special Edition: The Supreme Court Upholds the TikTok Ban – What It Means for You | Jan 18, 2025
On this special edition podcast episode, EMARKETER Senior Director of Briefings, Jeremy Goldman and Senior Analyst, Minda Smiley, discuss the Supreme Court’s groundbreaking decision to uphold the TikTok ban. Listen to Jeremy and Minda break down the ruling and give their preliminary thoughts on how this ruling could reshape social media, digital marketing and user privacy. Listen to the discussion everywhere you find podcasts or watch on YouTube and Spotify.
Follow us on Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us:
advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit:
https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
© 2025 EMARKETER

Jan 17, 2025 • 21min
Behind the Numbers: TV and Streaming Trends for 2025—Netflix's Live Sports Push & Small/Mid-Sized Brands Spending More on CTV Ads | Jan 17, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Ross Benes, a Senior Analyst at eMarketer, and Paul Verna, Vice President at eMarketer, dive into the future of TV and streaming. They analyze Netflix's bold move into live sports and what that means for advertisers. Small and mid-sized brands are increasingly turning to CTV ads, reshaping spending strategies. The duo also explores the evolving role of self-serve advertising and AI content, setting the stage for how viewer behavior might shift in this dynamic landscape.

Jan 15, 2025 • 16min
Reimagining Retail: Lessons From the 2024 Holiday Shopping Season—The Election Impact, Why Returns are Way Up, and More | Jan 15, 2025
On today's podcast episode, we discuss how the election influenced consumers' shopping habits, why returns spiked, and some way too early predictions for the 2025 holiday season. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Senior Analyst Zak Stambor and Analyst Rachel Wolff.
Follow us on Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us:
advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit:
https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-reimagining-retail-lessons-2024-holiday-shopping-season-election-impact-returns-way-up-more
© 2024 EMARKETER

Jan 14, 2025 • 26min
The Banking & Payments Show: Banking and Payments Trends in 2025—Pay-by-Bank At Checkout, the BaaS Compliance Crackdown, and More | Jan 14, 2025
Join Tiffany Montez, Principal Analyst for banking at eMarketer, and David Morris, Principal Analyst for payments, as they dive into the future of finance. They discuss the impact of the BaaS compliance crackdown and how it will affect smaller banks. Expect insights on the exciting pilot of pay-by-bank checkout by retail giants like Walmart and Amazon, and the potential shifts in consumer privacy under a new administration. The duo also explores the role of AI in banking and the rise of personalized financial solutions.
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