Tucker Carlson Ousts Joe Rogan as Spotify’s Top Podcast
3 min readJoe Rogan’s long reign at the top of Spotify’s podcast charts has come to an end, as former Fox News host and previous Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) guest, Tucker Carlson, ascended to the number one spot. On July 25, The Tucker Carlson Show claimed the top position, pushing JRE to second place.
The Tucker Carlson Show made its debut on Spotify in December 2023, following Carlson’s departure from Fox News. He then started his show on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. In a relatively short time, Carlson’s podcast has surged in popularity, mirroring some aspects of Rogan’s successful format by featuring a diverse range of guests. For instance, Carlson has hosted UFC fighter Colby Covington and comedian Tim Dillon, both of whom have also appeared on Rogan’s show.
BREAKING – YOUR REACTION: @TuckerCarlson overtakes @joerogan on Spotify, now ranking number one. pic.twitter.com/lr8t19Sb98
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) July 25, 2024
The decisive moment for Carlson’s podcast came with his July 25 episode featuring former US Presidential candidate Ben Carson. This episode pushed The Tucker Carlson Show to the top of Spotify’s charts, marking a significant milestone for the former news anchor.
Interestingly, Tucker Carlson was a guest on the Joe Rogan Experience back in April 2024. The two had a lively and engaging three-hour conversation, highlighting Carlson’s capability to hold an audience, which he has now translated into his own podcast’s success.
This dethroning is not the first time Joe Rogan’s podcast has been knocked from the top spot. Over the years, various creators have briefly taken the lead. In 2021, The Always Sunny Podcast by the crew from ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ managed to secure the top position upon its debut. The podcast offered fans an insider’s look into the making of certain episodes, attracting a substantial audience.
Thank you for making us number 1: https://t.co/dno9omN0U8 pic.twitter.com/GpQBC2eTXG
— Tucker Carlson Network (@TCNetwork) July 25, 2024
In 2023, TikTok star Alix Earle managed to surpass Rogan with her Hot Mess podcast, appealing to a younger demographic with her candid discussions. The following year, Rogan was again bumped to second place by the Kelce brothers’ New Heights podcast, which soared in popularity as the Kansas City Chiefs headed to the Super Bowl.
While it remains to be seen how long Tucker Carlson will maintain his lead, Joe Rogan has a history of reclaiming the top spot. Rogan’s extensive and loyal fan base, combined with his consistent output of diverse and engaging content, often propels him back to number one.
For now, however, Tucker Carlson enjoys his moment as the king of Spotify podcasts, demonstrating the dynamic and competitive nature of the podcasting world. As listeners’ interests shift and new content creators emerge, the battle for the top spot on Spotify’s charts continues to be an exciting spectacle.