ARN’s iHeart Podcast Network is turning six this month, and the latest Podcast Ranker shows there’s plenty to celebrate. From local favourites to global hits, multiple shows climbed the charts in January, reflecting the network’s continued growth, audience reach, and the strength of its premium podcast slate.
A key highlight from the January ranker is Australian True Crime, which has officially joined iHeart and made an immediate impact on the charts. Already one of the country’s most influential true crime titles, the podcast surged 10 places to become the highest-ranking true crime podcast in the latest ranker.
Now in its ninth year, Australian True Crime is hosted by self-described true crime obsessive Meshel Laurie and explores the darker corners of Australian life through powerful interviews with victims, their families and investigators. Its move to iHeart marks a significant new chapter for the brand, with plans to expand into video and launch a new national radio show, True Crime Tonight, across the KIIS Network in 2026.
Meshel Laurie said: “Joining ARN and iHeart is such an exciting step for Australian True Crime. It’s amazing to see the podcast resonate with even more listeners, and I can’t wait to explore new ways to bring these stories to life. Expanding onto other platforms will let us share these stories with even more Australians, and I’m thrilled for what’s ahead.”
The latest ranker also saw strong results across iHeart’s premium local and global slate, including:
- The New York Times’ ‘The Daily’ is Australia’s #1 international podcast, up three places to #7
- On Purpose with Jay Shetty is Australia’s #1 Health & Fitness podcast, rising two places to #18
- The Kyle & Jackie O Show is Australia’s #1 Radio podcast, jumping eight spots to #19
- BBC’s Global News Podcast, climbing 16 places to #20
- Stuff You Should Know is Australia’s #1 Knowledge podcast, up two places to #21
- She’s on the Money is Australia’s #1 Finance podcast, climbing 13 places to #27
Corey Layton, ARN’s Head of Digital Audio, said: “Welcoming Australian True Crime to the iHeart Podcast Network is a major milestone. It’s one of the country’s most respected and influential podcasts, and its rise up the chart shows how deeply it resonates with Australian audiences.
“As we approach iHeart’s sixth birthday, these results reflect the strength of our strategy – investing in premium iHeart Originals, partnering with Australia’s most beloved creators, and bringing together the world’s biggest titles across podcasts, video and broadcast to drive growth for audiences, creators and commercial partners.”
Since launching in Australia on February 25, 2020, ARN’s iHeart has grown into the country’s podcast powerhouse, delivering a premium slate spanning true crime, news, entertainment, business and lifestyle, powered by the world’s biggest podcast publishers.
With 6.7 million monthly listeners and 22.8 million monthly downloads, iHeart now reaches 37% of all weekly podcast ranker listeners. The latest results mark a major milestone, celebrating six years of sustained growth, innovation and accelerating audience momentum across Australia.