The best podcast 2019 results are in. Yes, it's time for us to reveal which gripping podcast offerings have found themselves upvoted by fans and crowned your favourite podcast pick of the year.
The world of podcasting has exploded over the past few years, with an incredible number of new offerings arriving on the scene. It's also safe to say the range of formats, topics covered and original material on offer has reached an all-time high.
It goes without saying that as podcast fans, we've spent countless hours trawling through the various platforms on the hunt for the ultimate entertainment - whether that be true crime, celebrity, political, interview based or plain old comedy. Our picks have then been up and down voted by you, the listener, and the cream has well and truly risen to the top.
UPDATE:If you're looking to help support a great charity in vital need of support whilst having a good old giggle a the same time, look no further than CALM charity's Friday Night Lock-In. The charity has teamed up with a host of celeb pals including Off Menu's Ed Gamble and comedy overlords Kurupt FM for a night of laughs, lyrics and all-round merriness. Supporting the charity's hotline which has seen a 37% increase in calls relating to suicide and loneliness since the Covid-19 lockdown,
Providing an impressive 7 hours of free entertainment from the world’s funniest, most musically adept and downright joyful personalities, the event takes place between 5pm and midnight (the opening hours of CALM’s hotline) on Friday 3 April and is set to be broadcast on Instagram Live.
We've skimmed each category, picking the winner and the runner up to join this elite podcast power-list. And as if that wasn't enough, we've selected a handful of offerings we really think you ought to try. Shortlist certified.
So, without further ado, these are the podcast worth listening to right now:
Best true crime podcast
Serial
The beginning of our current true crime podcast epidemic, the first season of Serial is the gold standard against which we now measure other documentaries. Presented by Sarah Koenig, Serial is an investigation into the murder of teenager Hae Min Lee in 1999. Adnan Syed, the man convicted of her murder, still protests his innocence, and Koenig’s breakdown of the case is a compelling listen as she looks at evidence and speaks to witnesses. There’s no easy or right answers here but Serial definitely asks some of the right questions.
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Best true crime podcast (runner-up)
Best interview podcast (runner-up)
Best political podcast
The Political Party
If you care more about the people who make the decisions, and would enjoy personal anecdotes from life at Westminster, The Political Party is for you. Each month, political comedian Matt Forde meets a current member of parliament for an informal but informative chat in front of a live audience in London.
Guests have represented big names of the Commons (Jess Phillips, Anna Soubry) to bigger names from parliaments past (Neil Kinnock, George Osborne). Between the main shows, there are studio-based interviews with interesting academics, journalists and activists to ensure you don’t miss it too much.
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Best political podcast (runner-up)
Best comedy podcast (runner-up)
Best celebrity podcast (runner-up)
Shortlist recommends
Shortlist recommends (investigative)
Shortlist recommends (sport)
Tailenders
Hang on, hang on, don't let the idea of cricket put you off - there's far more to this podcast than meets the eye. Sure, cricket forms a core part of the Tailenders show (and is co-hosted by England's greatest fast bowler Jimmy Anderson, alongside Greg James, Felix White and the legend that is Mattchin) but there are plenty of other oddities to add to the mix.
For starters, there's plenty of paper shredding action, a handful of musical interludes, unexpected live Hackney Empire performances and a few weird and wonderful quizzes for good measure. It's a show that prioritises comedy and takes the intimidation out of not knowing everything there is to know about the sport. After all, #Tailendersoftheworlduniteandtakeover.
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Listen now (Apple Podcasts)
Shortlist recommends (comedy)
The Kurupt FM Podkast
After a podcast that can provide a laugh a minute? You've come to the right place. Featuring DJ Beats, Chabuddy G, MC Grindah and DJ Steves, this podcast follows on from the brilliant mockumentary People Just Do Nothing. Featuring the self-declared “best MC in the galaxy” MC Grindah, the six-part Audible series sees them tackle a new topic each week - from the supernatural to fashion.
LIsten now (Audible)
LIsten now (Audible)
LIsten now (Audible)
LIsten now (Audible)
LIsten now (Audible)
Shortlist recommends (music)
Shortlist recommends (comedy)