Top 10 Canadian News Podcasts
- lostfield
- Jul 4
- 2 min read
Despite narratives about the decline of mainstream media, CBC and other legacy outlets like La Presse and The Globe and Mail (The Decibel) are leveraging their existing audiences to dominate the podcast space. However, independent voices are emerging within Canada, and they are resonating with an increasingly young demographic.
Prevalence of American Voices in Canadian Podcasting
Looking at the top 200 news podcasts listed on Apple Canada, only one- quarter are Canadian. This holds true if we look across podcast categories, including news and current events, which means the influence of American podcasters on Canadians cannot be ignored.
Canadian Gen Z love Podcasts
Looking at data from the 2024 Canadian Podcast Listener report shows a strong over-index of 18-34-year-olds (Gen Z) consuming podcasts, while those 55+ under-index significantly. Income and education have less impact, with podcast listenership fairly consistent across income brackets.
In terms of where they consume podcasts, YouTube (35%) leads as the top platform for consumption, followed by Spotify (28%), while Apple Podcasts has dropped to 15%
Our Rankings of the Top Canadian Podcasts in News (June 9 – 25)
Emerging Independent and New Voices
Beyond the established players, a vibrant wave of independent and newer podcasts is gaining traction. These shows bring diverse perspectives and fresh formats to the Canadian podcast ecosystem:
Ben Mulroney’s New Show – A recent launch gaining rapid traction with its fresh take on current affairs.
Radio Pirate with Jeff Villon – An independent voice breaking into the charts with provocative content.
Wonk with Amanda Lang – A think-tank-backed show diving into policy and economics.
The Curse of Politics – A lively, unfiltered look at political insider dynamics.
Other Notable Emerging Shows
Several other independent podcasts are popping in and out of the top 200, particularly from Western Canada and Quebec:
Rebel News and True North Field Report – Controversial but gaining listeners with their right-leaning perspectives.
Real Talk with Ryan Jesperson (Edmonton) – A grounded, local voice resonating nationally.
Sean Newman Podcast (BC) – A rising star with a focus on regional issues.
The Line Magazine – Offering sharp commentary on Canadian affairs.
Quebec’s Cube Radio – Featuring hosts like Alexandre Dubé, Francis Coslin, and Karima Brick, these French-language shows are making their mark.
Support Canadian Podcasts
To boost the Canadian podcast ecosystem, listeners can follow, share, and engage with shows like those listed above or others like the Spin Nation podcast. By amplifying local voices, we can elevate Canadian perspectives and reduce reliance on U.S.-dominated charts. For now, the blend of traditional media’s reach and independent innovation signals a dynamic future for Canadian podcasting. Stay tuned for updates on rankings and new voices shaping the conversation.
Our Methodology
Podcast rankings are derived from daily top lists published by Spotify and Apple Podcasts, focusing exclusively on content produced by Canadian creators.
Podcasts receive points according to their daily position on each platform’s ranking, with higher placements earning more points.
Podcasts that do not appear in the rankings on a given day receive zero points for that day.
Weightings will periodically be adjusted based on changing platform preferences for Canada.
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