
On May 1, 2026, Apple Podcasts listeners in the US are sticking with what they know: a top-heavy diet of daily news, true crime, and celebrity chat, with The Daily from The New York Times holding the #1 spot. This list measures the most-listened podcasts on Apple Podcasts in the US, giving readers a real-time, unfiltered view into which shows command the most ear-time daily—not just what's popular on social media or newly released. For instance, Crime Junkie remains a powerhouse at #2, proving that true crime’s appetite hasn’t ebbed, while Good Hang with Amy Poehler snuck into #6, showing a surge of interest in lighter, personality-driven conversation. At #10, Pod Save America holds steady, signaling persistent engagement with political commentary months into the election cycle. This data comes directly from Apple’s own listenership metrics, reflecting actual consumption across iOS and macOS podcasts apps.
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The New York Times
The Daily, the New York Times’ flagship news podcast, holds the top spot on May 1, 2026, with its sharp daily deep-dive into the biggest story of the moment—likely covering a developing national crisis or political shake-up. Its consistent #1 rank proves that morning news briefs remain the most reliable habit among US podcast listeners.

Audiochuck
Crime Junkie, Audiochuck’s relentless true-crime machine, sits at #2, delivering its signature mix of morbid curiosity and storytelling that keeps millions hitting play daily. Ashley Flowers’ formula hasn’t worn thin—this show is a blockbuster that won’t budge without a fight.

iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts
Love Trapped, a collaboration between iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts, cracks the top 3 with a unique twist on true crime—a series that follows a woman entangled in a romance with a suspected serial killer. It’s the most provocative entry on the list, blending voyeurism and danger into a binge-worthy narrative.

NBC News
Dateline NBC endures at #4, a testament to the power of brand loyalty—NBC News’ TV-to-podcast adaptation still pulls massive daily listens years after its launch, often re-covering older cases with fresh audio that new audiences devour.

Joe Rogan
The Joe Rogan Experience slides to #5 on May 1, a lower-than-usual spot that suggests the day’s episode lacked a viral guest or controversial take—though Rogan’s marathon interviews still guarantee a slot in the top tier for any given day.

The Ringer
Good Hang with Amy Poehler, from The Ringer, debuts at #6 as a pleasant surprise—a celebrity-chat show that thrives on Poehler’s warmth and the network’s promo machine. Listeners are clearly craving low stakes, good vibes, and genuine laughs this spring.

ABC News
Blood and Water, ABC News’ investigation into a cold-case disappearance, grabs #7—a serialized true-crime documentary that capitalizes on Apple’s love of binge-release podcasts. Its climb shows that network-backed journalism still commands attention when framed as a mystery.

Realm
Mick Unplugged, a Realm-hosted interview show with self-help coach Mick Ryan, ranks #8—an unexpected wild card in a list dominated by news and crime. This slot suggests that motivational content has a devoted niche, likely boosted by a recent viral episode on resilience.

NPR
Up First from NPR lands at #9, the ultimate short-burst news podcast—10 minutes of curated headlines that serve as a quick stopgap for listeners who want facts without the depth of The Daily. Its placement shows that time-pressed Americans still tune in for trustable morning radio on demand.

Pod Save America
Pod Save America closes at #10, a political-comedy show from former Obama staffers that thrives on witty analysis of the day’s Washington drama. On May 1, 2026, its spot may reflect a mid-election-cycle fatigue, but loyal Crooked Media fans keep it in the daily rotation.
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News and crime command this list: six of the top 10 are either straight news (The Daily, Dateline NBC, Up First, Pod Save America) or true crime (Crime Junkie, Love Trapped, Blood and Water), with the latter showing a surprising shift toward serialized storytelling at #3. Love Trapped is the real outlier—iHeartPodcasts’ fusion of romance and crime suggests listeners crave hybrid genres. Entertainment barely registers: Good Hang at #6 and Joe Rogan at #5 are the only non-news/crime entries, and Rogan’s #5 slot (down from his typical #1-#2) signals a slight dip in his cultural lock, possibly due to a May 1 lull in guest controversy. The absence of sports or music podcasts is telling—US listeners on this day are seeking information and adrenaline over escape. Expect more network-backed hybrid true-crime shows to flood the chart as Apple refines its algorithm.
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