Podcast FAQ

true crime podcast popularity

by Darrel Rogahn Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The true crime podcast is popular with both listeners and advertisers. This is because it attracts a broad audience that would not have been reached through traditional media. In addition to this, it appeals to those who enjoy hearing stories.

In America, Canada, and on global charts, a true crime podcast is currently ranking as number one, and four out of ten podcasts on the top ten American Spotify chart are of the true crime genre (Chartable 2020).

Full Answer

What are some of the best true crime podcasts?

The best true crime podcasts of all time

  • Serial. Why it's one of the best: The sensation that launched a thousand true crime podcasts — but its later seasons are still somehow underrated.
  • S-Town. ...
  • In the Dark. ...
  • Missing & Murdered. ...
  • Last Podcast on the Left. ...
  • Criminal. ...
  • 74 Seconds. ...
  • Conviction. ...
  • Crime Junkie. ...
  • Alibi. ...

More items...

What are the Best Horror podcasts?

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What are the top 10 podcasts?

  • Most episodes are well over an hour.
  • Can't sort by popularity or date.
  • Several ads on the site.

What are some good underrated comedy podcasts?

The 10 Funniest Comedy Podcasts (You Might Not Be Listening To Yet)

  • The 10 Best Comedy Podcasts. The Bugle is an international satire weekly news show covering current events both big and small. ...
  • Bonus Comedy Podcasts. These comedy podcasts are from lists past. ...
  • Punch Up the Jam. ...

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Why is true crime podcast so popular?

Crime doesn't just pay for criminals. It's also a big hit with podcast creators specializing in true crime cases. These have become particularly popular in recent years, with such shows featuring among the most listened-to podcasts of 2021, according to Pacific Content.

What is the #1 true crime podcast?

1. Serial. As one of the earliest true crime podcasts, Serial richly deserves the title of “an audio game changer.” After catapulting to success in 2014, the Peabody Award winning podcast remains as prominent as ever.

Who listens to true crime podcast?

femalePrevious studies have shown that the true crime podcast audience is predominantly female (73%) (Boling & Hull, 2018), and that listeners tune in to podcasts to seek entertainment, for convenience, and to avoid boredom, while women are attracted to the true crime genre because they are drawn to female protagonists and ...

How popular is true crime?

As of September 2018, it has been downloaded more than 340 million times. It has been followed by other true crime podcasts such as Dirty John, My Favorite Murder, Up and Vanished, Parcast series such as Cults, Female Criminals and Mind's Eye, Someone Knows Something, and many more.

What's the best true crime podcast right now?

20 True-Crime Podcasts That Will Give You Goosebumps Over My Dead Body: Fox Lake. Wondery. ... My Favorite Murder. Exactly Right Media. ... Black Girl Gone. Cloud10 and iHeartPodcasts. ... Dr. Death. ... The Clearing. Pineapple Street Media / Gimlet. ... Over My Dead Body: Joe Exotic. Wondery. ... Uncover: The Village. ... Killer Psyche.More items...•

How many listeners does crime junkie have?

Crime Junkie debuted in December 2017 and has remained at the top of the charts since with over 500 million downloads, 630 stories, and $643,000 donated to charity.

Who is the target audience for true crime?

An assessment of gender can help better characterize the target demographics for true crime. And, as the data shows, viewership skews female. While Millennials and Gen Xers are the most likely to already be watching true crime content, 16% of Gen Z indicates a desire to tune in at some point in the future.

When did true crime podcasts become popular?

In 2014, the true crime podcast Serial was released, and it became the fastest podcast ever to reach over 5 million downloads (Roberts 2014). After its release, podcasting entered the “post-Serial boom” (Nelson 2018; Van Schilt 2019), and the true crime genre spread like wildfire on the platform.

Who watches true crime the most?

WomenWomen and true crime The idea of women being the largest audience for true crime has been supported widely, including by Michael Boudet who hosts the popular true crime podcast Sword and Scale. He said that 70% of his fans are women between the ages of 25-454.

What are true crime fans called?

Attraction. Fans of True Crime are sometimes referred to as "groupies" of criminals. There have been widely publicized cases in which criminals in prison received fan mail and some even married female fans after corresponding with them through letters. These real life events may have influenced the usage of this term.

Is it weird to like true crime?

People who don't have any interest in true-crime stories might think you're a creep for enjoying them — but rest assured that your love of the macabre doesn't indicate a tendency toward criminal behavior. Instead, Dr. Childs says, it's as simple as curiosity. “Watching true crime doesn't make you strange or weird,” Dr.

Why is society obsessed with true crime?

It's high stakes because it's not fiction. We are drawn to true crime because it provokes our most basic instinct… fear. People are fascinated by horrific acts because we wonder how someone could be so evil and where that comes from. On the other hand, we also wonder whether we ourselves could ever commit such a crime.

Has a podcast ever solved a crime?

0:447:14True Crime Podcast that Solved the Case - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNumber one the teacher's pet teacher's pet is a widely popular true crime podcast published by theMoreNumber one the teacher's pet teacher's pet is a widely popular true crime podcast published by the australian a newspaper in 2018..

What does true crime obsessed pay?

True Crime Obsessed Patrick and Gillian have built exceptional relationships with their fans and now have 13,718 patrons. Although TCO's income isn't public knowledge, it's estimated they make around $1.2 million per year.

Is s town a true story?

About S-Town For many true-crime listeners, “S-Town” seemed to promise a mystery full of crime and corruption. But despite McLemore's insistence, Reed, who hosts the podcast, concludes that no murder took place after talking with local police and others familiar with the story.

Does up and vanished solve the case?

Payne Lindsey dedicated the entire first season of his show to the case, and his work on the resulting podcast, Up & Vanished, helped solve Tara Grinstead's murder.

What is the best podcast about women and crime?

Women & Crime. Women & Crime, hosted by two Associate Professors of Criminology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, is one of the best true crime podcasts because it combines expertise, thorough research, and excellent discussion.

What is the best thing about podcasts?

People love listening to different stories wherever they are (as long as they know how to listen to podcasts .) One of the best things about podcasts is there’s no shortage of content. There’s a podcast for pretty much everything now, and you may already have a growing list ...

What is a casefile podcast?

Casefile is an award-winning podcast that covers a variety of solved and unsolved cases, from cases involving the dark web to missing person’s cases. The Australian host’s identity remains a mystery, as he remains anonymous, but it’s not in a sinister way—in fact, it only adds to the lure of Casefile. Once you start listening, you’ll easily get hooked! Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Where is Crimetown season 2?

The first season of Crimetown focused on organized crime in Providence, Rhode Island, which seems an unexpected choice—that is until you have a listen, at which point it might seem odd Providence hasn’t been the setting of more mafia movies. Season two focuses on Detroit but delves insightfully into factors that made the Motor City such an ideal backdrop for the drug trade, political scandal, and racial unrest and brings us close to the people who make the stories all the more vivid. The nearly 14,000 reviews on Apple Podcasts and a 4.7/5 star rating speak for themselves—this is a podcast you shouldn’t miss. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. If you’re more interested in today’s politics, check out these political podcasts that will keep you informed.

What is serial about?

The first season of S erial explored the 1999 murder of Baltimore high school student, Hae Min Lee, including the questionable conviction of Lee’s boyfriend . Its second season upped the international scale, focusing on Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, an American Army soldier held captive by the Taliban for five years before the United States charged him with desertion. Its third season abandoned its namesake format to explore the American justice system through a weekly cross-section of the cases that pass through Cleveland’s criminal courts. Sarah Koenig hosts Serial, and you’ll join her as she tries to piece together what happens in each season. Just when you think you know what’s going on, you quickly learn that not everything is at it seems. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Who hosts Morbid podcast?

Morbid is hosted by Boston-based aunt-and-niece duo Alaina and Ash (who actually consider themselves sisters as opposed to aunt and niece). They cover a number of true crime cases, from the big cases like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer, to older true crime cases—like the murder of Julia Wallace back in the early 1930s. Don’t be surprised if you chuckle (or simply laugh out loud) while listening to Morbid —Alaina and Ash’s banter will make you feel like you’re talking about true crime with two of your best pals. Plus, Morbid ‘s listener tales episodes are must-listens—those tales of crime, paranormal, and straight-up weirdness will make your jaw drop. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Who hosts Crime Junkie?

This popular true crime podcast is hosted by childhood friends Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, who dive into a variety of true crime cases—from the well-known cases, like that of serial killer Ed Kemper, to the lesser-known (but equally important) cases you may have only heard about through local news. Flowers has a knack for telling these stories in a way that will give you full-body chills (as Flowers and Prawat like to say). There’s a reason this podcast is popular among true crime fans—check it out for yourself! Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

What is the podcast "believed" about?

Believed is the ultimate example of a podcast that achieves near-impossible feats. Focusing on the story of former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State doctor Larry Nassar, who sexually abused girls and women for decades, the series manages to put Nassar’s victims front and center, daring listeners to flinch as they detail stories about being groomed and molested. It’s an element that hosts Kate Wells and Lindsey Smith make clear we need to understand. They succeed in large part because they’re both already well-versed in the story, having reported on it for Michigan Radio since 2016. Believed also manages to humanize Nassar — not in order to engender sympathy, but so we can also understand how it was possible he got away with his crimes for so long. Finally, and perhaps most surprisingly, Believed is unapologetically gripping, even entertaining, as it tells one of the most viscerally difficult true-crime stories of the modern era. A right-on-time series that was delivered at the crest of the Me Too era, the series also sticks one of the best landings in podcasting, letting us listen in as more than 150 women give testimony at Nassar’s sentencing, a brand of justice we desperately crave but so seldom get to witness.

Who is the host of Criminal?

The brainchild of North Carolina-based public radio host Phoebe Judge and producer Lauren Spohrer, Criminal is a gift to the ears, in no small part because the show makes a point to stretch far beyond murder and mayhem in the stories it covers.

What did the Undisclosed podcast do for Adnan Syed?

For all Serial did for Adnan Syed’s case, Undisclosed did more — literally. Picking up where the genre’s greatest podcast left off, host Rabia Chaudry, who appeared in Serial as the family friend who brought Syed’s case to Sarah Koenig’s attention, teamed up with an unlikely duo of bloggers and proceeded to tear apart, bit by bit, the state’s case against Syed, and many aspects of the Serial narrative itself. In early episodes, the Undisclosed trio dug up information about reward money, police corruption, and prosecutorial misconduct. They identified the “tap tap tap” on a taped interview as detectives coaxed witness Jay Wilds by pointing to a map. They made the term “Brady violation” part of their listeners’ vocabulary.

Why is serial so important?

As best-selling true-crime author and podcaster Billy Jensen puts it, “ Serial is the most important, because it went viral, got into the zeitgeist, introduced many people to podcasts, and got them hooked.”.

Is there a way to make a list of the most important true crime podcasts?

All that said, it’s important to acknowledge that there’s no way to make a list of the most important true-crime podcasts without killing a lot of darlings. Because I’ve worked on or reviewed several of the podcasts up for consideration, I relied on a bunch of podcast heavyweights to weigh in. And of course, some very strong contenders didn’t land on the list. But we feel confident that many of the shows on the list below will still be earning mentions when those future historians parse this era’s golden age.

Who is the host of Missing and Murdered?

Connie Walker, the CBC reporter who hosts Missing & Murdered, recently told me that she set out to make a history podcast about the systemic oppression of indigenous people in Canada, but she knew that in order to get people to listen to it, it had to be a true-crime story.

Is the podcast "In The Dark" true?

There is perhaps no other podcast, true crime or otherwise, that has had a greater real-world impact than In The Dark, which launched in 2016 with an examination of the failed investigation into the infamous disappearance of Jacob Wetterling. This is especially true of the show’s second season, which focuses on Curtis Flowers, a Mississippi man who was tried six times for four murders he probably didn’t commit, an assertion most listeners would be comfortable making after hearing the ample evidence uncovered in the series. “This case is precisely the type that crime podcasting is made for,” says investigative reporter and Accused podcast host Amber Hunt, one of the many people who told me In The Dark was at the top of their list. Hosted by the measured and confident Madeleine Baran, the journalism behind In The Dark is second to none, a team reporting effort that’s transparently explained to the listener. And the proof is in the pudding: Flowers’s latest conviction was recently overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, which considered, among other things, a pattern of egregious prosecutorial misconduct uncovered in the podcast. It’s the rare show to effectively combine shoe-leather investigation, exhaustive sourcing, and groundbreaking data dives, all driven home with rare precision and a welcome dose of humanity.

Who hosts the Simpsons podcast?

This podcast, hosted by The Simpsons actress Yeardley Smith, features close looks at the stories you may never have heard of, with interviews with suspects as well as the detectives who break the cases, audio evidence, and insight from identical twin detectives Dan and Dave.

Who is the journalist who is involved in the Golden State Killer case?

Want to put your inner detective on the case? On this podcast, former cold case investigator Paul Holes and journalist Billy Jensen, who achieved fame for their involvement in the Golden State Killer case, bring stories of unsolved cases to the fore, examining the evidence and opening up the opportunity for listeners to get involved in helping to solve the crimes.

What are the scandals that have shaped American history?

Scandals have shaped American history, from the ecological and corporate nightmare of the Exxon Valdez oil spill to the horrors of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and this podcast is dedicated to shining a light on them all. From sports to politics to celebrities behaving badly, it gives its subjects an in-depth look to explain how these bad acts came to pass, and how they continue to affect the world we live in today.

What is serial about?

The first season, which garnered the show a national following, digs into the murder of high school student Hae Min Lee and the potentially-wrongful conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed. The show also has two subsequent seasons, one following the tale of Bowe Bergdahl, an American soldier who was held captive by the Taliban for 5 years after leaving his post in Afghanistan, and a third season that examines a variety of cases that pass through a single courthouse.

What museum was stolen in 1990?

A different kind of true crime podcast, this entry from WBUR and The Boston Globe takes a deep dive into on the 1990 theft of $500 million worth of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Is there a true crime podcast?

You've got a Netflix queue full of crime documentaries and a bookshelf full of mysteries—so what do you do when you need even more true crime stories in your life? The true crime genre has taken the podcast world by storm, and some of the best examples of cold case investigations and crime journalism around are taking place in audio form now. The genre is so prolific, that Hulu's latest hit— Only Murders In the Building, starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez—centers on true crime podcast buffs sleuthing out a podcast all their own. Whether you're a dedicated podcast detective or you're using Only Murders as your inspiration, these are the true crime shows that deserve a spot in your listening library.

Who is the author of the Golden State Killer?

This podcast, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter Paige St. John, takes a hard look at the original attacks in the 1970s and '80s, the development of the case against DeAngelo, his life, and the victims who were and remain impacted by these heinous crimes.

Why are true crime stories so popular?

These open-ended cases inspire “the idea that the viewer can solve the crime at hand.” Dr. Bonn agrees, stating that one reason why people enjoy true crime stories is that they get the chance to play “armchair detective and see if they can figure out ‘whodunit’ before law enforcement authorities catch the actual perpetrator.” Unfortunately, as one legal review found, “the rise of modern crime documentaries, series, and podcasts” are casting a “growing doubt… on the criminal justice system through the portrayal of injustice.” While this “can be powerful in raising questions, bringing new evidence to light, and holding authorities accountable,” it may also be damaging the presumption of innocence concept that forms the foundation of the justice system.

Why do people watch true crime?

Other psychologists agree with Vicary’s conclusion, saying, “watching true crime shows and listening to podcasts is one way we can feel prepared, and perhaps even comforted.” In fact, watching and listening to true crime stories may be a way of inoculating oneself against fear. Clinical psychologist Dr. John Mayer, who studies violence and media, indicated that people, and women, in particular, use true crime stories as a way to purposefully expose themselves to violence as a way to “ build up [their] tolerance to something scary and seemingly inevitable.”

What differentiates true crime genre from fictional horrors?

What differentiates the true crime genre from fictional horrors is the feeling of relief that comes with knowing that although a real crime was committed by a real person and perpetrated on real people, it did not happen to them. This notion of “ schadenfreude — deriving self-satisfaction from the misfortunes of others,” is often the main force behind the voyeuristic tendencies of true crime fans. The complicated feelings of empathy for the victim and relief that they are not the victim allows true crime audiences to “ explore the darkest reaches of human depravity ” while knowing they “ personally are safe at home, wrapped up in bed.”

Why do we love serial killers?

According to Scott Bonn, professor of criminology at Drew University and author of the book, Why We Love Serial Killers, true crime “triggers the most basic and powerful emotion in all of us—fear.” This is the primary driver of the popularity of true crime novels, television shows, and podcasts. People look at true crime as a way to face their fears without actually experiencing the danger or trauma associated with them. This controlled exposure to fear is a way to face the possibility of crime and subconsciously develop strategies and coping mechanisms to handle it in the event a similar situation comes to pass.

Is true crime a popular podcast?

True crime is a popular genre of podcasts, but why? Does everyone just love murder and serial killers (don’t answer that)? We dive into the science and drivers propelling the popularity of true crime as a category.

Do people like courtroom dramas?

Still, people enjoy courtroom dramas. In fact, there is a theory that the popularity of true crime may be more related to what comes after the crime, that people may be “ more obsessed with what goes down in the courtroom and the justice or injustice that is served there.”.

Is the criminal justice system sensationalized?

However, as true crime shows, novels, and podcasts are typically sensationalized for entertainment purposes, legal analysts fear that the dramatization of the criminal justice system is changing Americans’ perception of the legal process and fueling the notion that justice is elusive in most situations, when actually the opposite is true.

Who is the host of the true crime show?

Hannah and Suruthi host this perfectly balanced true crime series. Their funny, engaging, and minimally scripted show covers everything under the genre – serial killers, spine-chilling murders, hauntings, and many more, exploring angles that you have never thought of.

Why is true crime important?

True crime triggers fear among its listeners as it helps in experiencing trauma and danger that is not associated with reality. Moreover, it helps develop strategies and coping mechanisms subconsciously to handle fear if a similar situation arises.

Why are podcasts so popular?

Podcasts have become a regular part of our daily lives. As interest in crime and judiciary has proven to be particularly popular among listeners, the true-crime landscape continues to see growth. The genre may range from reconsidering judicial verdicts, investigative journalism to chatty retellings of some of the most infamous trials and cases of current times. The twisted plots, evil characters, and hard-hitting stories of true crime podcasts allow listeners to delve deeper into the occurrences of cases, form their theories, and occasionally help investigators in real-time.

How does podcasting affect the judiciary?

Sometimes, true crime podcasts can substantially impact the judiciary by triggering renewed attention to a shut case, assisting in investigative efforts offering a unique perspective to a case, and eventually impacting a trial’s proceedings . In many situations, podcasts may even educate audiences on essential factors at play, such as mental illness or flaws in the legal system. Whether you’re a true crime-obsessive podcast fan or just there to test the waters, here’s a compilation of the top true crime podcasts that would keep you on edge.

What is the Iris podcast?

This “Iris” award-winning podcast deals with abusive relationships, the trauma involved, and the difficulty in recovering from one. Exceptional in the way it approaches the topic, host Tiffany Reese writes, hosts, and shares heartbreaking stories hoping that the information will end up helping someone in need.

What is the wow factor of the podcast?

The podcast gets its wow factor from the feminine touch of two very witty female hosts. The depth of emotions and empathy hiding behind their hilarious, self-deprecating humor while discussing grisly and truly twisted cases of depravity makes it a unique show.

Who is the voice of Serial?

It is the trendsetter as far as true crime podcasts are concerned. If you are new to the genre, get started now and listen to the charming voice of Sarah Koenig as she tells you about love, murder, justice, and the hunt for the truth.

20. The Dan Bongino Show

Right-wing political commentator and author Dan Bongino tackles issues, which according to the podcast description "debunks both liberal and Republican establishment rhetoric."

19. WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

Stand-up comedian Marc Maron welcomes comedians, actors, directors, writers, musicians and folks from all walks of life to his home for revealing conversations.

18. Morbid: A True Crime Podcast

A true crime anthology podcast hosted by Alaina Urquhart and Ashleigh "Ash" Kelley, who share their fascination with serial killers and other morbid subjects.

17. Radiolab

Each episode of Radiolab tackles various philosophical, political and scientific topics, promising to "ask deep questions and use investigative journalism to get the answers."

16. Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.

15. Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!

An hour-long weekly news radio panel show in which regular panelists such as Brian Babylon, Roy Blount Jr. or Adam Burke among others, as well as occasional one-off guest panelists and contestants are quizzed in humorous ways about that week's news.

14. Up First

A daily news podcast which offers a succinct overview of three of the biggest stories of the day.

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