Best News Podcasts
Updated: October 18, 2026
Top news podcasts for staying informed. Daily briefings, politics, business news, tech news, and in-depth analysis from trusted voices.
Full data-backed ranking
Best News Podcasts 2026: Top 20 Shows Ranked by Data
How this news podcast ranking is built
CastFox tracks the Apple Podcasts News category every day and keeps the history, so this is chart data rather than an editor's shortlist. Between February 24 and October 18, 2026 we took 29 snapshots of the US category top 100, saw 213 different shows pass through it, and followed each one across the 78 country charts we cover. The order below follows the most recent snapshot, so it moves as the chart moves.
The top of this category barely moves. The Daily held rank 1 in all 29 snapshots, and 39 of the 40 highest-scoring shows here appeared in every one of them, with only The Rachel Maddow Show missing one. Reach is where they separate. The Daily and the BBC World Service Global News Podcast each held a top 100 place in 77 of the 78 countries we track and Economist Podcasts in 74, while The Glenn Beck Program, Armstrong & Getty and The Michael Knowles Show charted in one country each.
The category splits four ways on Apple's own labels. Of the 40 strongest shows, 12 are daily briefings, 10 are politics shows, 9 are news commentary and 9 sit in general news, which is why a 10-minute briefing and a three-hour talk show share one chart. Each entry links to its full CastFox profile with audience estimates, chart history by country and contact details. For the version ranked by consistency across all 29 snapshots rather than by today's position, read the companion post above.
Top 50 Podcasts
50 shows- 1
The Daily
The New York Times
The New York Times flagship news show, hosted by Michael Barbaro, Rachel Abrams and Natalie Kitroeff, about twenty minutes a day, six days a week, ready by 6 a.m. It held rank 1 in all 29 US snapshots this year and charts in 77 of the 78 countries we track, the widest reach in the category.
- 2
Pod Save America
Pod Save America
A conversation about US politics hosted by former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor, regularly joined by journalists, activists, politicians and world leaders. Past 1,000 episodes, an average US rank of 3.0 and rank 2 on the latest snapshot.
- 3
Up First from NPR
NPR
NPR's morning briefing takes the three biggest stories of the day in about 10 minutes, weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET with Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin and A Martinez, plus weekend editions. An average US rank of 2.2 across the 29 snapshots, the second most consistent show in the category.
- 4
The Megyn Kelly Show
SiriusXM
Megyn Kelly interviews political, legal and cultural figures in a daily long-form show for SiriusXM. Past 1,000 episodes, an average US rank of 3.9 and rank 4 on the latest snapshot, the strongest average of any commentary show on this page.
- 5
NPR News Now
NPR
A five-minute NPR newscast updated every hour, so the feed carries the latest bulletins rather than a back catalog. An average US rank of 10.4 with a best of 5, which is where it sat on the latest snapshot.
- 6
Pivot
New York Magazine
Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway work through the biggest stories in tech, business and politics every Tuesday and Friday, from New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network. 806 episodes, an average US rank of 16.5 and rank 6 on the latest snapshot.
- 7
The MeidasTouch Podcast
MeidasTouch Network
Brothers Ben, Brett and Jordy Meiselas cover the news from an unapologetically progressive position, mixing analysis with brother banter. Past 1,000 episodes, an average US rank of 8.2 and a best of 3.
- 8
The Bulwark Daily
The Bulwark
Tim Miller and guests discuss the day's political news for The Bulwark, which describes itself as the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement, with long-form interviews alongside the analysis. 500 episodes in the feed and an average US rank of 6.9.
- 9
The Tucker Carlson Show
Tucker Carlson Network
Tucker Carlson's interview and commentary show from the Tucker Carlson Network, which presents itself as free speech and honest reporting against what it calls a misinformation-dominated media landscape. 438 episodes, average US rank 7.2, charting in 54 countries.
- 10
The Ben Shapiro Show
The Daily Wire
Ben Shapiro's weekday conservative news and culture program for The Daily Wire, Monday through Friday. Past 1,000 episodes, an average US rank of 7.7 and rank 10 on the latest snapshot, charting in 12 countries.
- 11
Letters from an American
Heather Cox Richardson
Heather Cox Richardson narrates her daily newsletter, setting current US politics against the history behind it. 873 episodes, an average US rank of 22.9 and rank 11 on the latest snapshot, which is also its best position of the year.
- 12
Today, Explained
Vox
Vox's daily explainer, where Sean Rameswaram and Noel King take one story of the day and unpack it rather than running the headlines. Average US rank 19.9, rank 12 on the latest snapshot, and top 100 placings in 58 countries.
- 13
IHIP News
Jennifer Welch & Angie Sullivan
Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan give comedic progressive takes on political news from a red state, twice a week and more often when the news demands it. Past 1,000 episodes, average US rank 13.4, charting in 14 countries.
- 14
Morning Wire
The Daily Wire
John Bickley and Georgia Howe present The Daily Wire's morning briefing on politics, culture, education and sports. Past 1,000 episodes and an average US rank of 10.6, though it placed in only 5 countries.
- 15
Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
The BBC World Service rolling world news show, published twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, covering politics, economics, climate, business, technology and health with correspondent analysis. 279 episodes in the feed, an average US rank of 18.5, and a top 100 place in 77 countries.
- 16
Bulwark Takes
The Bulwark
Short takes on the news of the day from the whole Bulwark team, including Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell and Bill Kristol. 500 episodes in the feed, an average US rank of 24 and rank 16 on the latest snapshot.
- 17
The Journal.
The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios
A daily show on money, business and power from The Wall Street Journal and Spotify Studios, hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza. 300 episodes in the feed, average US rank 19.2, charting in 46 countries.
- 18
The Dan Bongino Show
Cumulus Podcast Network | Dan Bongino
Dan Bongino, described on the show's feed as a former FBI deputy director, Secret Service agent and NYPD officer, delivers daily analysis of political and cultural stories for the Cumulus Podcast Network. Past 1,000 episodes and an average US rank of 13.6, almost entirely from the US chart: it placed in 2 countries.
- 20
Serial
Serial Productions & The New York Times
The narrative investigative series from Serial Productions and The New York Times, 124 episodes across its seasons, with The Last 12 Weeks the most recent. An average US rank of 22.4 and a best of 5 across the 2026 window.
- 21
The NPR Politics Podcast
NPR
NPR's political reporters explain the news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail every weekday afternoon, and why it matters. Past 1,000 episodes, average US rank 22.8, charting in 23 countries.
- 22
The New Yorker Radio Hour
WNYC Studios and The New Yorker
- 23
The Matt Walsh Show
The Daily Wire
Matt Walsh's take on cultural, religious and political issues for The Daily Wire, Monday through Thursday. Past 1,000 episodes, an average US rank of 23.8 and a best of 12.
- 24
The Rachel Maddow Show
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW
The podcast feed of Rachel Maddow's Monday evening MS NOW program. 397 episodes, and the only show on this page that missed a snapshot this year, appearing in 28 of 29 at an average rank of 46.3 with a best of 13.
- 25
Candace
Candace Owens
Candace Owens hosts alone, in a show she describes as free and unfiltered. 429 episodes, an average US rank of 15 and a best of 5, though it sat at 25 on the latest snapshot.
- 26
Apple News Today
Apple News
Shumita Basu walks through some of the day's most interesting stories each weekday morning, and how other journalists are covering them, produced by Apple News. An average US rank of 20.4, charting in 3 countries.
- 27
Lovett or Leave It
Lovett or Leave It
- 28
Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words
Victor Davis Hanson | The Daily Signal
The historian and classicist Victor Davis Hanson comments on political and cultural news with an eye to the historical significance of the moment, for The Daily Signal. 323 episodes and an average US rank of 40.3.
- 29
The Glenn Beck Program
Mercury Radio Arts
Glenn Beck's long-running radio program on American culture and politics, released as a podcast Monday through Friday. Past 1,000 episodes and an average US rank of 24.9, entirely from the US chart: it placed in 1 country.
- 30
WSJ What’s News
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal's twice-daily briefing on business, finance and the political developments that move markets, with a markets wrap on Saturday and a longer Sunday edition. 600 episodes and an average US rank of 23.
- 31
Consider This from NPR
NPR
The hosts of All Things Considered take one major story and explain what it means for you in about 15 minutes, six days a week. Past 1,000 episodes and an average US rank of 36.7, charting in 20 countries.
- 32
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Vox Media Podcast Network
Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov argue the case for the political middle on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, on the Vox Media Podcast Network. 227 episodes, an average US rank of 28 and a best of 12.
- 33
The Daily Beast Podcast
The Daily Beast, Joanna Coles
Joanna Coles, chief content officer at The Daily Beast, hosts the outlet's people and politics show, with guests who have included John Oliver, Mary Trump and Governor Gavin Newsom. An average US rank of 48.5, but a top 100 place in 32 countries, more than most shows ranked above it here.
- 34
The Headlines
The New York Times
A weekday morning run through the day's top stories from the team behind The Daily, with reporting from Times correspondents around the world. 530 episodes and an average US rank of 18.3, though it sat at 34 on the latest snapshot.
- 36
Interesting Times
New York Times Opinion
- 37
The Political Scene | The New Yorker
The New Yorker
- 38
Armstrong & Getty On Demand
iHeartPodcasts
The on-demand feed of the Armstrong & Getty radio show, distributed by iHeartPodcasts. Past 1,000 episodes and an average US rank of 34.4, charting in 1 country.
- 39
Ruthless Podcast
Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook
- 40
The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell
Lawrence O'Donnell, MS NOW
The podcast feed of Lawrence O'Donnell's weeknight MS NOW program, examining the political stories of the day. 271 episodes, an average US rank of 37.7 and a best of 25.
- 41
Deadline: White House
Nicolle Wallace, MS NOW
Nicolle Wallace, a former communications chief for President George W. Bush and senior adviser to the McCain-Palin campaign, hosts weekday political analysis with newsmakers for MS NOW. 555 episodes and an average US rank of 37.4.
- 42
The Opinions
The New York Times Opinion
- 43
The Briefing with Jen Psaki
MS NOW, Jen Psaki
- 44
On the Media
WNYC Studios
- 45
The Michael Knowles Show
The Daily Wire
Michael Knowles analyzes the top political and cultural stories of the day for The Daily Wire, Monday through Friday. Past 1,000 episodes, an average US rank of 40.8 and a top 100 place in 1 country.
- 46
All In with Chris Hayes
MS NOW, Chris Hayes
- 47
Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar
iHeartPodcasts
Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti host an anti-establishment news show that runs on YouTube and as a podcast several times a week. Past 1,000 episodes, average US rank 30.3, charting in 11 countries.
- 48
TRIGGERnometry
TRIGGERnometry
- 49
#SistersInLaw
Politicon
- 50
The President's Daily Brief
The First TV
A 20-minute run through the day's national security and foreign policy stories, published every morning and afternoon by The First TV and framed after the real presidential briefing. Past 1,000 episodes and an average US rank of 35.6.
Related Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
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How CastFox Ranks Podcasts
CastFox ranks podcasts using real chart data collected daily from Apple Podcasts. Unlike editorial picks or listener polls, our rankings are based on actual chart performance — giving you an objective view of what people are listening to right now.
We track chart positions across every genre and over 100 countries. Each podcast on this page is ranked by its position on the Apple Podcasts charts, deduplicated and sorted to show the most popular shows first. Rankings refresh every 24 hours so you always see the latest trends.
Click any podcast to access its full CastFox analytics profile. You can explore estimated audience size, chart history over time, Apple Podcasts ratings and reviews, YouTube presence, platform availability, and AI-powered web analysis — all in one place.
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