Just released online on X, a new Podcast Ranking of the more popular podcasts in the news and commentary genre. The ranker is the creation of RoadMN, the indefatigable and independent tweeter known creator known for his relentless dives into ratings, data, and political skullduggery.
The very first Podcasts Index™ for the 'news' (& commentary) category was released Tuesday.
It wasn't just another list. It was a weighted ranking that cut through the noise of fragmented platforms—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music—factoring in each provider's real market share.
Spotify's massive 31.7% slice got the heaviest weight, followed by Apple's 12.6% and Amazon's 11.1%.
The unknown 44.6%? Left out entirely for purity. Only shows cracking the top 50 on all three charts made the cut.
Transparent. Methodical. Pure RoadMN. The internet took notice immediately:
The Debut List That Sparked Debate: At the top sat The Daily from The New York Times, a polished, daily deep dive that dominated Apple and held strong elsewhere. NPR's Up First claimed silver, while Tucker Carlson's independent juggernaut roared into third—proving once again that a sharp voice and direct-to-audience model could punch far above traditional gatekeepers.
NPR News Now and Pod Save America rounded out the top five, setting up a fascinating ideological spread: legacy giants, public radio stalwarts, fiery independents, and partisan favorites all battling for ears in the crowded news podcast arena.
Further down, surprises abounded: Megyn Kelly and Ben Shapiro held strong in the conservative lane. MeidasTouch and Candace Owens showed progressive and contrarian pulls. The Journal from WSJ, Morning Wire, and Matt Walsh carved out their niches. Even Rachel Maddow and Michael Knowles appeared, reminding everyone that strong personal brands still moved the needle.
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| Mister X RoadMN |
The Man Behind the IndexFor years, RoadMN (@RoadMN) had been that reliable X account dropping charts, breakdowns, and unfiltered analysis that cut through corporate spin. His bio said it all: "An indefatigable tweeter of ratings, data and news & politics skullduggery." He wasn't chasing virality. He was building tools.This Podcast Index felt like the natural evolution—something the industry had needed but no one had cleanly delivered.
In a world where podcast charts were siloed, manipulated by platform algorithms, or opaque about methodology, RoadMN offered clarity. One clean, weighted index. One place to see who was actually resonating across the ecosystem.
By midnight, the post had sparked threads analyzing what it meant for the industry. Legacy media still held power, but independents like Tucker were proving audience loyalty mattered more than ever. Public broadcasters like NPR dominated the middle. The commentary wars were thriving.
In a sea of fleeting trends and algorithmic chaos, RoadMN has reminded everyone of something simple yet powerful: good data, transparently presented, still cuts through.
And just like that, the Podcast Index Ranker was here to stay.