Morbid, the true crime podcast hosted by Alaina Urquhart and Ash Kelley since 2018, has surged to #9 in overall U.S. podcast rankings for Q3 2025, cementing its position as one of America's most-listened-to shows among weekly podcast consumers aged 13 and older.

The jump represents significant growth, climbing nine positions from Q2 2025 according to Edison Research's quarterly podcast metrics. While the top four U.S. podcasts remain unchanged—The Joe Rogan Experience at #1, Crime Junkie at #2, The Daily at #3, and Call Her Daddy at #4—Morbid's ascent underscores the enduring appeal of true crime content to American audiences.

On Apple Podcasts' True Crime charts specifically, Morbid holds an even stronger position at #4, reflecting its dominant presence within the genre. The show's reach extends beyond streaming platforms; in 2025, Morbid secured a multi-year exclusive deal with SiriusXM, expanding its audience through satellite radio.

Since launching in 2018, the podcast has built a devoted following by exploring some of the most compelling criminal cases spanning decades and continents. The hosts have tackled international mysteries, including an unspecified Edinburgh case and the vanishing of six young women near Dublin, suspected to involve a serial killer within an 80-mile radius. Domestically, they've devoted significant episodes to American crimes that have captivated public attention.

Notable episodes include their coverage of the Natalee Holloway murder, a lengthy cold case that has haunted investigators and the public for years. Released on May 9, 2024, the episode runs 1 hour and 30 minutes, allowing the hosts to explore the mystery's numerous twists and dead ends. The podcast has also tackled the Dennis Rader case—better known as the BTK Killer—in a multi-part series spanning three episodes that trace his early years, his marriage, and his nearly two-decade reign of terror across Kansas.

The show's approach balances investigative depth with accessible storytelling, making complex criminal histories comprehensible to a broad audience. Episodes examining cases with multiple attributed murders demonstrate the hosts' willingness to engage with disturbing subject matter while maintaining journalistic rigor.

Morbid's commercial success reflects broader trends in American podcast consumption. True crime remains one of the most popular genres, with Crime Junkie holding steady at #2 overall—a position it has maintained quarter after quarter. The success of shows like Morbid suggests that audiences continue seeking detailed, well-researched explorations of real crimes, mixing historical cases with contemporary investigations.

The SiriusXM deal represents a strategic expansion beyond traditional podcast platforms, positioning Morbid within a broader media ecosystem that reaches commuters, satellite radio subscribers, and listeners seeking on-demand content. This partnership underscores the podcast's commercial value and its appeal to major media distributors.

For international audiences, Morbid's rankings highlight how American true crime content resonates globally. While the show primarily focuses on U.S. cases, its occasional coverage of international crimes—from Dublin disappearances to Edinburgh mysteries—reflects growing listener interest in comparative criminology and international criminal cases.

As Morbid continues climbing the rankings, the show's trajectory suggests that detailed, host-driven true crime narratives remain central to podcast consumption patterns. The combination of Urquhart and Kelley's chemistry, meticulous research, and willingness to explore both infamous and lesser-known cases has proven a winning formula in an increasingly crowded podcast landscape.

**Sources:** - https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-top-50-podcasts-in-the-u-s-for-q3-2025-from-edison-podcast-metrics/ - https://discoverpods.com/best-morbid-podcast-episodes/ - https://findthatpod.com/best-episodes-of-morbid/ - https://www.playpodcast.net/best-morbid-podcast-episodes/ - https://podcastcharts.byspotify.com