10 Best News Podcasts for Staying Up to Date

Podcasts have become one of the easiest ways to keep up with the news. Whether you are walking, commuting, or cleaning the kitchen, a good news podcast can keep you informed without forcing you to scroll endless headlines. The best ones are not overwhelming or rushed. They give you time to think, even while you get on with your day.

Below is a list of 10 standout news podcasts. These shows bring smart reporting, consistency, and strong storytelling. You will find a mix of daily updates, political insight, global news, entertainment analysis, and industry-specific content. Some are short and sharp, others go deep, but all are worth a listen.

1. The Daily (The New York Times) - A staple for millions of listeners, The Daily focuses on one key topic each weekday. It builds the story with care and relies on reporting from journalists on the ground. Episodes usually run for 20 to 30 minutes and cover everything from global conflicts to court trials. It is the type of podcast that offers clarity without shouting.
2. Today, Explained (Vox Media) - Today, Explained gives context to the day’s big stories. Each episode dives into one topic and explains it in simple language, with a touch of humour and plenty of detail. It covers politics, science, pop culture, and more. Episodes stay under 25 minutes, making it easy to slot into a lunch break or commute.
3. Business of Betting - Business of Betting is a niche podcast with serious value. It features analysts, executives, and founders from the gambling world, especially those involved in sports betting and online casinos. The discussions cover product trends, market shifts, user behaviour, and emerging technology. For anyone monitoring regulation, especially in areas such as gambling sites not on Gamstop, this podcast helps track changes and understand the strategy behind key decisions. Gamstop is a self-exclusion scheme used in the UK, which many find to be too restrictive. For this reason, gamblers often look to offshore casino sites for a less restrictive gambling experience. Regardless of whether you use domestic or international sites, tuning in to Business of Betting will keep you up-to-date on all the regulatory changes you need to know about. 
4. The Globalist (Monocle) - For international coverage, The Globalist delivers thoughtful analysis with a global view. Produced by Monocle, it covers world politics, finance, diplomacy, and current affairs. The weekday episodes are just under an hour and bring in expert voices from around the world. It is professional, balanced, and useful for anyone who wants to go beyond local headlines.
5. What a Day (Crooked Media) - What a Day offers a lighter but still smart take on the day’s events. Hosted by journalists who bring both humour and urgency, it covers political developments, cultural shifts, and major legal decisions. The tone is relaxed but never careless. At about 20 minutes per episode, it is an easy listen without being shallow.
6. Front Office Sports Today - This podcast tracks the business side of sport. Topics include broadcasting deals, ownership changes, legal issues, and marketing trends. Front Office Sports Today offers interviews and analysis that go beyond scores and stats. For anyone working in media, tech, or sports, it gives insight into where the money is going and why that matters.
7. The Town (The Ringer) - The Town, hosted by Matthew Belloni, focuses on the business of Hollywood. It gives inside coverage of the entertainment industry: studio politics, actor contracts, release strategies, and streaming rivalries. Belloni knows the industry well and keeps each episode focused. If you want to understand how decisions in Los Angeles shape global content, this podcast gives a front-row seat.
8. Pod Save America - Created by former Obama staffers, Pod Save America breaks down U.S. politics with a progressive lens. The tone is informal and direct. Topics range from campaign strategy and polling to court rulings and legislation. Though the content is centred on the United States, the political analysis often applies more broadly. It is part education, part conversation, and always current.
9. The Intelligence (The Economist) - The Intelligence is a daily podcast by The Economist. It covers international stories with a cool, measured tone. Each episode offers two or three segments that explain what is happening and why it matters. The stories are timely but often focus on deeper patterns or long-term developments. You will hear about African elections, biotech research, and European energy policies, all in the same episode.
10. The Journal. (The Wall Street Journal) - Produced by The Wall Street Journal, The Journal. explains how business news connects to everyday life. Topics include tech companies, job cuts, lawsuits, and economic trends. It often uses real case studies and voices from within the companies. At about 15 to 30 minutes per episode, it is quick enough for daily listening but substantial enough to be worth your time.