Top 10 Apple Podcasts — Top Shows (US) — September 3, 2026
On September 3, 2026, The Daily from The New York Times held its grip on American ears once again, topping the Apple Podcasts charts in the US. Crime Junkie and The Joe Rogan Experience rounded out the top three, showing that true crime and long-form conversation still dominate how Americans spend their commute and downtime. Apple Podcasts' "most-listened" ranking reflects aggregate listener activity—not just subscriptions or downloads, but actual play data across the platform. This distinction matters because it separates passive curiosity from genuine engagement. When a podcast consistently appears in this list, it signals sustained, real consumption rather than fleeting downloads that go unplayed. The ranking offers a window into what conversations are occupying American minds at any given moment. On this date, Dateline NBC's presence at number 4 reflects ongoing fascination with investigative storytelling, while Pardon My Take's inclusion demonstrates sports commentary's irreplaceable spot in daily media diets. The Ringer's Good Hang with Amy Poehler breaks into the top 10, suggesting conversational, personality-driven content is gaining ground. Data reflects aggregated listener activity across the platform—actual plays, not just subscriptions or downloads.
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Current Rankings
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The New York Times
The Daily from The New York Times claims the top spot, delivering its signature daily news briefing in under 30 minutes and maintaining its status as the most-listened news podcast in the US.
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Audiochuck
Crime Junkie holds steady at number 2, with Audiochuck's true crime juggernaut continuing to attract millions of listeners drawn to its methodical storytelling approach to criminal cases.
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Joe Rogan
The Joe Rogan Experience lands at number 3, with Joe Rogan's long-form conversations and high-profile guests keeping this controversial show in the upper echelons of American podcast consumption.
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NBC News
Dateline NBC reaches number 4, bringing NBC's investigative journalism legacy to podcast listeners who crave deep-dive reporting on real criminal cases and missing persons stories.
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Barstool Sports
Pardon My Take secures the number 5 position, delivering rapid-fire sports commentary and fan-culture satire that has built a devoted audience among Barstool Sports listeners.
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Mick Hunt
Mick Unplugged claims the sixth spot, representing an unexpected independent entry that breaks through the typically network-dominated upper chart positions.
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The Ringer
Good Hang with Amy Poehler debuts in the top 10 at number 7, with The Ringer's conversational comedy format capitalizing on the actress's cultural appeal and improvisational strengths.
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NPR
Up First from NPR holds the eighth position, serving as the morning news companion for commuters who rely on NPR's concise daily briefings to stay informed.
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Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart
Morbid reaches number 9, with hosts Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart maintaining their grip on the true crime podcast audience through a blend of storytelling and pop culture references.
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LUNASHARK®
COERCED: The Devotion & Death of Mica Francis Miller enters the top 10 at number 10, a serialized true crime special from LUNASHARK® that has captured listener attention through its focused investigation of a single case.
Trend Analysis
The September 3, 2026 chart reveals a podcast landscape where crime, sports, and news dominate American attention. True crime claims four of the top 10 positions through Crime Junkie, Dateline NBC, Morbid, and the serialized COERCED entry, indicating listeners remain deeply invested in criminal case narratives and investigative reporting. Sports podcasting holds its ground through Pardon My Take, reflecting the genre's consistent daily relevance. News commentary remains essential, with The Daily and Up First serving listeners who want efficient daily briefings. Comedy finds a foothold via Good Hang with Amy Poehler and the irreverent style of Pardon My Take, showing personality-driven content thrives alongside traditional news. The presence of Mick Unplugged—a relatively niche independent entry—suggests smaller creators can still break through against established media companies and large networks. The Ringer and NPR occupy the list alongside legacy broadcasters, illustrating how podcasting has matured into a space where independent voices, sports networks, and public radio coexist. Apple's algorithm captures actual listening patterns through play data, not just downloads, which filters out passive subscriptions and highlights what genuinely holds American attention.
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