Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2025 series continues with a look at news media’s top digital shows. To learn of upcoming results or revisit some of the different categories we’ve already presented, visit this website, subscribe to our newsletters and/or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social channels. At the conclusion of this series, I will record videos for each area of the Top 20 to address key takeaways. The videos will be posted on the Barrett Media YouTube page so be sure to subscribe.
If this is your first time checking out our Top 20 series, welcome. What makes our Top 20 unique is that the votes are decided by media industry movers and shakers. Twenty three (23) executives from 18 companies took part in the voting process. Our voting committee work in podcasting, research, news television, and ownership/CEO roles. I appreciate each of them making time to provide their input.
As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information.
Important Information
#1 – These results are based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the voting.
#2 – Our voting process is similar to how writers cast votes for awards in professional sports. A first-place vote equals twenty (20) points. A 20th place vote equals one (1) point. We do this to keep things balanced and avoid situations where the results favor one or two companies.
#3 – The criteria for our voters included Quality of Show (the ear test), Multi-Platform Reach/Strategy, Chart Positions, Monthly Downloads, and Ability to Create Buzz. Keep in mind, our voters live in different cities, work for different groups, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
#4 – A total of 158 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the News Digital Shows category. Shows in this category prioritize news, politics, business, and cultural conversations. Most of these programs are digital-first shows with little or no additional distribution via radio or television. Some have the benefit of larger distribution but are exceptional digitally regardless of their employer or the platform.
And the Winner Is…
The Joe Rogan Experience. Spotify’s hit show continued to dominate the news media landscape. Over 20 million subscribe to the show’s YouTube channels, downloads are reportedly around 200 million per month across all platforms, and the amount of buzz produced across social media and mainstream print, TV and radio by the show set it apart from an impressive field of programs. Congratulations to Joe and his team on the well deserved recognition.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork for this series. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 News Digital Shows of 2025.
Additional Notes:
- The Joe Rogan Experience won this category handily by forty (40) points. Rogan also scored the most first-place votes, seven (7).
- Spots 21-25 belonged to The Bulwark Podcast w/ Tim Miller, No Spin News w/ Bill O’Reilly, The Michael Knowles Show, Up First, and The Sage Steele Show.
- The closest battle was for seventh place where Ben Shapiro edged Megyn Kelly by one (1) point.
- Of the 158 shows to appear on submitted ballots, six (6) received at least one 1st place vote.
BM Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
- Music Radio = February 23-27 and March 2-4.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
