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Its amazing to think that podcasts were only invented 22 years ago, and the term only coined a year later in an article in The Guardian. Now more than 20 million people in the UK listen to podcasts, whether its specially created shows or classic BBC radio programmes on demand.
They have transformed our listening and taken us from being hostages to radio schedules to being able to listen to our favourite shows wherever and whenever we want - whether its at home, in the car or on holiday.
But have podcasts captured the imagination of Saga Magazine readers and what are they listening to? We ran a poll of more than 500,000 of our newsletter subscribers to find out the favourites in 2025.
The results weren't a huge surprise. BBC podcasts dominated our top 10, demonstrating that most of our readers still love the classic radio programmes, but now at a time that suits them.
However it wasn't a clean sweep for the corporation, three other popular podcasts shared the glory.
From science to celebrities and politics to health. These are the favourite podcasts of Saga Magazine readers in 2025.
BBC Radio 4's timeless and long-running series is classic listening. Eight music tracks, a book and a luxury item - what would you choose to take to a desert island? Celebrities have been revealing the tracks of their lives for an incredible 83 years - the show was first broadcast on 29 January, 1942.
The host of Desert Island Discs is Lauren Laverne, she said: "I was delighted to learn that Desert Island Discs has topped Saga’s podcast poll.
"It’s an honour to present the show, and to interview guests who so generously share their life stories and defining discs with us. And it’s great to see that a handful of other BBC titles made the list too!"
This double-act political podcast is the biggest podcast in the UK. Featuring former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell and author, academic and former politician Rory Stewart, its part of the Goalhanger podcasts stable.
The duo discuss the latest developments in politics at home and abroad and often agree to agreeably disagree.
The BBC's daily news podcast, Newscast dives into the day's biggest news stories and features some of the corporation's best known journalists and correspondents.
This ever-popular history podcast hosted by Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland, dissects some of the biggest moments from history.
Launched in 2020, this is one of the biggest podcasts, not just in the UK, but globally.
For more than 10 years Professor Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince have hosted this witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes.
They are joined by a panel of experts and celebrity science enthusiasts each time to investigate life, the universe and everything in between.
Another of the BBC's most popular podcasts which really came into its own during last year's US elections. It is hosted by BBC journalists including North America editor Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter Justin Webb and the BBC's disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring.
The podcast provides analysis, on-the-ground observations and insights about the stories defining America.
This BBC series promises to demystify health issues, separate fact from fiction and bring clarity to conflicting health advice.
It's popular with our readers for tackling some of the thorniest topics, including assisted dying, sugar addiction, dementia and bird flu.
It may not be produced by the BBC, but The News Agents is fronted by three former BBC big names - Jon Sopel, Emily Maitlis and Lewis Goodall.
The daily podcast sets out not just to report the days news but to analyse and explain events too. Now free of their corporation shackles, their language can sometimes be colourful!
Policeman turned stand-up comedian Alfie Moore gets his audience to make the policing decisions as he takes them through real-life crime scenarios in this BBC podcast.
After almost 20 years on the beat, Alfie really has seen it all and has a wealth of stories to share from his police notebook.
This BBC Radio 4 show brings together the biggest names in comedy and history to learn and laugh about the past. Host Greg Jenner reminds us that history isn't just about dates and facts, but characters, amazing events and more.
Was Catherine the Great really that great? How long did it take to build an Egyptian pyramid and why did it take so long for Joan of Arc to become a saint?
Other favourites among our readers included: The Frank Skinner Show, Titanic The Ship of Dreams, The Archers, Off Air with Fi and Jane, Uncanny, F1: Chequered Flag, Zoe Science and Nutrition, Feel Better, Live More, Movers and Shakers, The Rest is Entertainment, Political Currency and Sliced Bread.
While our new poll revealed the podcasts Saga Magazine readers love listening to, a survey by Saga last year dispelled the myths that podcasts are only a young person's medium.
We found that 58% of Saga customers have listened to a podcast, while 38% are regular listeners and it's split fairly evenly between men and women.
Some 84% of respondents listen at home, while 16% also listen out walking and 14% while travelling
Favourite podcast personalities include Alastair Campbell, Brian Cox, David Attenborough, Hannah Fry, Joanna Lumley, Kathy Burke, Rory Stewart and Stephen Fry.
Want to add some new podcasts to your listening library? Saga Magazine's podcast reviewer Sarah Shannon has these suggestions.
What happens when casual research into your family tree reveals a serious secret? The Gift talks to people who tapped into the global DNA database available through heritage companies and got far more than they bargained for.
The BBC Sounds episode descriptions for Lives Less Ordinary read like movie plots. The Australian who realised his dad was a heroin smuggler and his babysitter was a convicted murderer; the Brazilian football fan who became his club’s president; and the Norwegian fisherman who saved a Russian ‘spy’ whale.
These stories are proof that truth is often stranger than fiction.
Presenter John Wilson began this Radio 4 series and podcast after a reshuffle saw him shifted off Front Row. This long interview format is well-suited to Wilson’s somewhat old-school charm and respectful questions. No hammering interrogations or interruptions here. Wilson gives his guests time to speak, and his charm audibly relaxes even the nerviest interviewee.
Past guests of This Cultural Life have included Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh and Margaret Drabble.
As identical twins who both became doctors and presenters, Chris and Xand van Tulleken were vastly similar in almost every way. Yet Xand found himself overweight and struggling with his health. What went wrong?
A Thorough Investigation with Drs Chris and Xand examines the benefits of even a modest dose of exercise, the global inactivity crisis, and the perils of exercise addiction.
Barzan Majeed – aka Scorpion – is a ruthless people trafficker with a reputation for violence. He’s the sort of person you’d want to avoid, but in this gripping BBC series, To Catch a Scorpion, reporter Sue Mitchell and ex-soldier turned aid worker Rob Lawrie try to track him down.
One of the most exciting and insightful podcasts of recent times.
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The Bafta-winning actor had been so successful at losing weight, he had to fatten up with a strap-on false belly for his latest role.
The presenter on inspiring the next generation and how daughter Zoe is bouncing back after leaving Radio 2.
The Scottish actor on how he’s still asked to repeat Logan Roy’s most famous catchphrase.
The presenter reveals his surprise contestant and how Richard Osman ‘bullied’ him into writing his debut novel.
The TV adaptation of Rivals has has been judged a rip-roaring success. We caught up with the book's author.
The BBC Radio 4 Today presenter reveals the responsibility and privilege that goes with her job.
The presenter on being sacked by the BBC and why her views are 'career suicide'.
The best-selling author says Pilates has changed her relationship with her body.
Stop smoking, go for a walk and do puzzles, says the veteran newsreader.
