The Best News Podcasts of 2024: Listener’s Delight
The news just keeps coming at us, and honestly, with all the crazy headlines popping up daily, it feels impossible to stay on top of everything. That’s where news podcasts step in, letting you dive into the news whenever it works for you.
Even though they’re hosted by experts, news podcasts aren’t the same as just tuning into the radio. They usually fall into two types: short-form ones, which are often edited snippets from the news, and longer-form podcasts. The longer ones are more like features that dig deeper than just the headlines. Want to take the news with you wherever you go? Check out our favorite picks below to get started with the best news podcasts 2024.
Podcasts In and Out of the Top 50
Saying goodbye to the Top 50 this quarter are The Bill Simmons Podcast, H3 Podcast, Dark History, and the WTF with Marc Maron Podcast. The podcast ranking is based on data collected throughout the first quarter of 2024, surveying 5,300 weekly podcast listeners aged 13 and up in the U.S. Participants shared which podcasts they listened to in the past week, along with some demographic and behavior info. This ranking shows reach as a percentage of the weekly podcast audience.
Making their debut in The Top 50 for the first time: A few exciting new podcasts are breaking in. Club Shay Shay jumped in at #11 thanks to a viral episode with Monique and Katt Williams, even getting a shoutout on Saturday Night Live. Nightcap, co-hosted by Shannon Sharpe from Club Shay Shay, came in at #46. The Tucker Carlson Podcast, which kicked off in early December 2023 alongside Carlson’s streaming network, landed at #24 amongst the top news podcasts 2024.
The Basement Yard, a hit on TikTok, grabbed the #40 spot, while Dumb Blonde came in at #45. Plus, The Broski Report with Brittany Broski, which started in May 2023, has been steadily climbing to #48 and was highlighted in Edison’s Top Five Podcasts Launched in the U.S. in 2023.
The Daily: Major Publication
These days, almost all major publications have their own podcasts, and it makes sense because it lets them really dive into the stories they’re sharing (plus, it’s a nice change from the usual 300-word articles). If you enjoy a particular newspaper, you might want to check out its podcast – like the New York Times’ ‘The Daily’. It drops episodes every day (of course), hosted by Michael Barbaro, and each one runs for about 20 minutes, giving you a solid look at the news without dragging on too long. It is one of the best daily news podcast.
Today in Focus: Relaxed Vibe
‘Today in Focus’, hosted by Nosheen Iqbal and Michael Safi, has a more relaxed vibe compared to something like ‘The Daily’. It’s a great way to stay updated on both big and small world events, whether they’re super important or just quirky. The episodes feature expert interviews and political insights, and they come out every day.
Apple News Today: Polished Daily News
If you’re looking for a polished short daily news podcast, Apple’s got you covered with ‘Apple News Today’, hosted by Shumita Basu and Duarte Geraldino. It’s a well-made daily news fix that helps you stay plugged into global events in the morning without feeling overwhelmed. It definitely leans towards US news, but it covers high-impact stories that any serious news fan would appreciate, and it does touch on global topics (like Ukraine) when they’re significant enough.
The Globalist: Serious News Show
For a serious daily international news show to kick off your day, ‘The Globalist’ is a solid pick. It’s the main podcast from Monocle, a magazine and lifestyle brand, and its daily episodes – coming from London and Zurich – give a sober and informed take on the day’s global news, including a look at Europe’s front pages. It’s a pretty traditional 60-minute news show that airs live at 7am GMT/8am CET, but you can download all the episodes globally, and if you want a daily news overview with a European perspective, it’s a great choice. It is one of the best podcasts for news.
Ukrainecast: Podcast About Ukraine War
Unfortunately, the BBC’s awesome podcast about the war in Ukraine is still super relevant in 2024, with new episodes dropping every few days. It taps into the BBC’s amazing group of brave reporters on the ground in the war-torn area, giving a well-rounded and detailed look at the conflict and how it’s affecting the lives of Ukrainians. It’s a crucial reminder that the war isn’t over yet, even if it’s not making headlines anymore.
On the Media: Podcast About News
A podcast about news? Sure, there’s a chance that WNYC’s ‘On the Media’ could get a bit self-indulgent, but it’s actually a smart and engaging show hosted by Brooke Gladstone that keeps things interesting. While it does touch on current events, it focuses more on how media shapes our understanding of the world rather than just critiquing the latest headlines. It’s mostly US-focused, but not entirely.
Today, Explained: Stories Behind Headlines
We’re getting a bit meta with news here, but Vox’s ‘Today, Explained’ is definitely worth a listen for anyone who’s into news. It dives deeper into the day’s news, exploring the stories behind the headlines. It’s helpful if you’ve caught the news before tuning into the podcast with Sean Rameswaram and Noel King, but you don’t need to do a ton of prep – just knowing the basics is enough, and you can choose which stories you want to dig into more.
Your Daily Drive: Casual News
Now available in most English-speaking places, Spotify’s ‘Your Daily Drive’ is great for the casual news fan who wants a little current affairs with their music on the way to work. Basically, it’s like a breakfast or drive-time radio show, but the cool part is it’s generated by Spotify’s algorithm – pulling news from places like the Wall Street Journal, NPR, PRI, and local outlets, while the songs are based on what you like to listen to – your own personalized radio experience!
60 Minutes: Most Successful News Show
The most successful news show ever is now a podcast! The weekly audio version of '60 Minutes' runs about 43 minutes since it skips the TV ads – that's a win right there. But there are other reasons to check it out beyond saving 17 minutes: for folks in North America, it’s a version you can listen to while on the move; for international listeners, it’s the easiest way to catch this slick mix of world events and entertainment news.
World Business Report: Global Business News
No one does straight-up, unbiased global business news like the BBC World Service. The ‘World Business Report’ has a super straightforward name and its single-story episodes are around ten minutes long, which is shorter than most podcasts. There are usually two editions every day, so it’s not going to last you through a long drive, but if you like to nibble on international news throughout the day, ‘World Business Report’ is the way to go.
Conclusion
The best news podcasts of 2024 bring a variety of viewpoints, styles, and detailed coverage to keep you in the loop. Whether you want daily updates, investigative stories, or global insights, there’s something for everyone in these podcasts. As news keeps changing, staying updated has never been easier. So, check out these top picks and make sure you’re always in the loop, no matter where you are.
This content was created by AI