Top 10 Most Popular Podcasts

Podcasts are booming and 2020 has made that fact more true than ever. The podcast industry is now a billion dollar industry and there are absolutely no signs that its popularity growth is stopping anytime soon. Million of people all around the world are now listening to podcasts on a daily basis.

The popularity of podcasts can be explained by its 21st century-compatible concept. It is basically an on-demand talk radio show, by that combining the radio talk show format with the on-demand availability of streaming services.

The podcast boom has led to an explosion of new podcasts show, covering a variety of genres. This isn’t surprising either, considering that practically everyone can start a podcast. You don’t need a big broadcast studio or work for a radio station, just a mic and computer. So while there are lots and lots of podcasters out there these days, there are some that really dominate the podcast market. These biggest podcasts attract millions of listeners per episode. But what are the most popular podcasts?

The following list tells you just that, by ranking the most listened to podcasts in the world by global listeners in 2020. The top podcast ranking is based on the Spotify and iTunes charts throughout 2020 and only counts shows that are actual podcasts (traditional radio shows are hence disregarded here).

The 10 Most Popular Podcasts in the World 2021

1. The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

Hosted by: Joe Rogan

Running since: 2009
Genre: Talk / Interviews
Podcast language: English

Broadcast from: Austin, Texas, USA
Owned/Published by: Spotify Technology SA

2. TED Talks Daily

TED Talks Daily

Hosted by: Elise Hu

Running since: 2020
Genre: Talk
Podcast language: English

Broadcast from: Los Angeles, California, USA
Owned/Published by: TED Foundation

3. The Daily

The Daily

Hosted by: Michael Barbaro

Running since: 2017
Genre: News
Podcast language: English

Broadcast from: New York City, New York, USA
Owned/Published by: The New York Times Company

4. The Michelle Obama Podcast

The Michelle Obama Podcast

Hosted by: Michelle Obama

Running since: 2020
Genre: Talk / Interviews
Podcast language: English

Broadcast from: Washington, D.C., USA
Owned/Published by: Higher Ground Productions & Spotify Technology SA

5. Call Her Daddy

Call Her Daddy

Hosted by: Alexandra Cooper

Running since: 2018
Genre: Comedy & Sex/Relationship advice
Podcast language: English

Broadcast from: New York City, New York, USA
Owned/Published by: Barstool Sports, Inc.

6. Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Hosted by: Ashley Flowers & Brit Prawat

Running since: 2017
Genre: True crime
Podcast language: English

Broadcast from: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Owned/Published by: Audio Chuck LLC

7. Stuff You Should Know

Stuf You Should Know

Hosted by: Charles Bryant & Josh Clark

Running since: 2008
Genre: Infotainment
Podcast language: English

Broadcast from: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Owned/Published by: iHeartMedia, Inc.

8. Office Ladies

Office Ladies

Hosted by: Angela Kinsey & Jenna Fischer

Running since: 2019
Genre: Behind the Scenes commentary on episodes of “The Office” (U.S. version)
Podcast language: English

Broadcast from: Los Angeles, California, USA
Owned/Published by: E. W. Scripps Company

9. Entiende Tu Mente

Entiende Tu Mente

Hosted by: Molo Cebrian, Luis Muino & Monica Gonzalez

Running since: 2017
Genre: Psychology & Mental health
Podcast language: Spanish

Broadcast from: Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
Owned/Published by: Podcast Y Mente Studio SL & Spotify Technology SA

10. Pod Save America

Pod Save America

Hosted by: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett & Thomas Vietor

Running since: 2017
Genre: Politics
Podcast language: English

Broadcast from: Los Angeles, California, USA
Owned/Published by: Crooked Media, Inc.

The 10 Most Popular Podcasts (at a glance)

(based on 2020 data)

The Top 10 Most Popular Podcasts:
1. THE JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCE Hosted by Joe Rogan
2. TED TALKS DAILY Hosted by Elise Hu
3. THE DAILY Hosted by Michael Barbaro
4. THE MICHELLE OBAMA PODCAST Hosted by Michelle Obama
5. CALL HER DADDY Hosted by Alexandra Cooper
6. CRIME JUNKIE Hosted by Ashley Flowers & Brit Prawat
7. STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW Hosted by Charles Bryant & Josh Clark
8. OFFICE LADIES Hosted by Angela Kinsey & Jenna Fischer
9. ENTIENDE TU MENTE Hosted by Molo Cebrian, Luis Muino & Monica Gonzalez
10. POD SAVE AMERICA Hosted by: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett & Thomas Vietor