The Daily

The Daily. It is a weekday news podcast and radio show produced by The New York Times, first launched on January 9, 2017. Hosted primarily by journalist Michael Barbaro, the program provides an in-depth exploration of a single major news story each episode, often featuring interviews with Times reporters and other experts. It has become one of the world's most popular news podcasts, significantly influencing the audio journalism landscape and serving as a flagship product for The New York Times's digital subscription strategy.

History and development

The program was conceived by Michael Barbaro and The New York Times's audio team, including executive producer Lisa Tobin, as an experiment in narrative audio journalism. Its launch in early 2017 coincided with the tumultuous beginning of the Donald Trump administration and the intense news cycle surrounding the 2016 United States presidential election. Initial episodes focused heavily on political developments in Washington, D.C., such as the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court of the United States and the early investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. The show quickly gained a substantial audience, prompting The New York Times to expand its audio division and invest in more ambitious reporting, including coverage of international events like the War in Afghanistan and the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant expansion occurred in 2020 with the creation of a dedicated Sunday episode, often hosted by Sabrina Tavernise, which explores broader cultural or scientific topics.

Format and content

Each weekday episode typically runs 20 to 30 minutes and delves deeply into one current event or ongoing issue. The format usually begins with Michael Barbaro providing context before introducing a New York Times correspondent, such as Megan Twohey, Jodi Kantor, or David Leonhardt, who has reported on the story. The conversation is heavily edited and produced with cinematic music and sound design from composers like Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Episodes frequently feature field recordings and archival audio, creating an immersive experience. Major series have covered landmark events including the January 6 United States Capitol attack, the Impeachment of Donald Trump, and the Black Lives Matter protests, as well as long-form investigations into institutions like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Hosts and contributors

The primary host is Michael Barbaro, a former political reporter for The New York Times who covered the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries. Sabrina Tavernise, a national correspondent based in Washington, D.C., frequently hosts, especially on Sundays and during Barbaro’s absences. The show relies on a vast roster of Times journalists, including White House correspondents like Peter Baker, international reporters such as Ben Hubbard in Beirut, and investigative teams like those behind the Facebook Files. Key producers and editors include Lisa Tobin, Annie Brown, and Paige Cowett, who shape the narrative and audio design. Notable guest interviews have featured figures like Anthony Fauci during the COVID-19 pandemic and Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Reception and impact

The program has received widespread critical acclaim, winning several Peabody Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards for its innovative journalism. It consistently tops the podcast charts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and by 2022 it was reportedly generating millions of listens per day. Industry analysts from Nieman Journalism Lab and the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism have cited it as a primary driver for The New York Times's subscription growth, particularly among younger audiences. Its deep-dive format has been widely emulated by other news organizations, including The Guardian with Today in Focus and the British Broadcasting Corporation. The show has also faced some criticism for perceived ideological bias, particularly in its coverage of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, and was scrutinized during internal debates at The New York Times over journalistic standards.

Related media and spin-offs

The success of the program has led to several derivative projects and expanded audio offerings from The New York Times. These include "The Sunday Read," a weekly feature of long-form magazine articles, and limited-run narrative series like "Caliphate" hosted by Rukmini Callimachi, which faced editorial controversy. The media company also launched "The Argument," a debate-style podcast, and "Popcast," dedicated to popular music criticism. Internationally, the model inspired similar daily news podcasts from The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Canada's CBC Radio. Furthermore, the show’s segments are often repurposed for broadcast on radio stations across the United States, including partnerships with National Public Radio affiliates.