Apple's 2023 Top Podcasts Unveil Enduring Popularity of Crime Dramas
Apple has unveiled its most popular podcasts of 2023, and it appears that the true crime genre continues to reign supreme.
In a repeat performance, Crime Junkie has retained its title as the most popular podcast for the second year in a row. Hosts Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat delve into both infamous and underreported cases with detailed narratives, fostering a dedicated fanbase of over a million listeners who appreciate the deep dives and community feel.
Scam Factory, often referred to as Scamanda colloquially, holds a strong position in the charts. This podcast tackles less traditional true crime topics, providing fresh, eye-opening content that distinguishes it from typical murder mystery podcasts.
The allure of true crime podcasts lies in their ability to offer real, intricate stories involving crime, justice, and human psychology. They also provide new, diverse perspectives, such as focusing on victims’ full lives or exposing hidden criminal networks. The ritualistic, engaging nature of weekly episodes that create anticipation and discussion among fans further fuels their popularity.
True crime podcasts often blend investigative journalism with narrative suspense, which appeals broadly, including crossover audiences interested in justice, history, and human drama. The community built around these shows—marked by active online fan groups and social interaction—also contributes to their ongoing popularity.
Interestingly, Huberman Lab, a fitness and health podcast, is the only new show in the top 10. Other familiar faces in Apple's top 10 include This American Life, Hidden Brain, Stuff You Should Know, and SmartLess.
However, the consistency in the top 10 podcasts from 2022 to 2023 raises concerns about discoverability in the podcast industry. With the same top podcasts appearing year after year, it seems that new shows may struggle to break through and find their audience.
In addition to the podcast announcements, Apple also released Apple Music Replay, a competitor to Spotify Wrapped, providing users with their year-end summaries. This feature allows listeners to reflect on their musical preferences and the podcasts they've enjoyed over the past year.
As we move into 2024, it will be interesting to see if the true crime genre will continue to dominate the podcast charts or if new genres will emerge and shake things up.
[1] Flowers, A., & Prawat, B. (Hosts). (2023). Crime Junkie. Podcast. [2] Markman, J. (Host). (2023). Scam Factory. Podcast. [4] Flowers, A., & Prawat, B. (Hosts). (2023). Crime Junkie: Behind the Scenes. Podcast.
- The true crime genre, as exemplified by the continued popularity of 'Crime Junkie' and 'Scam Factory', has a strong hold on the future of podcasts, with dedicated fanbases now numbering over a million.
- As the tech industry evolves, denoted by Apple's recent unveiling of their most popular podcasts of 2023, it is evident that technology platforms like Gizmodo will have a crucial role in monitoring and shaping the progression of the podcast sphere.
- In the ever-changing landscape of tech and entertainment, it remains to be seen which new genres might emerge in 2024, as the audience's musical preferences revealed by Apple Music Replay could potentially reflect new trends in the podcast industry as well.
