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The MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious, one of the most popular true crime podcasts in the U.S., is moving from Wondery to SiriusXM in a new multiyear deal. Starting November 1, fans will find new episodes on the SiriusXM app and major platforms, with early access for SiriusXM Podcasts+ users.
A major move for a fan-favorite voice
When John Allen, a former Navy SEAL, launched his podcast in 2020, nobody really saw it coming. With his calm voice and way of building suspense without ever overdoing it, he quickly became a go-to figure for all things mysterious and chilling. Now, just three years later, The MrBallen Podcast ranks 11th most listened to in the country, according to Edison Research. The move to SiriusXM is not just a new chapter — it’s a shift in scale.
This multiyear deal gives SiriusXM exclusive advertising rights not only to the podcast but also to Allen’s massive YouTube channel, which has over 10.5 million subscribers. But what really sets this deal apart is that SiriusXM is also acquiring the entire MrBallen network of shows, with the intention of creating fresh content alongside Allen. For fans of this particular kind of storytelling — one foot in crime, the other in the unexplained — this means a lot.
What changes, what stays
From November 1, The MrBallen Podcast will be available on the SiriusXM app as well as on all major podcast platforms. Those who subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ will get episodes earlier. That’s a common practice now — small benefits for subscribers — and quite honestly, I get it. If it helps these contents exist and remain independent in tone and quality, why not? To read Gwen Stefani headlines magical 2025 Disney Christmas Parade
- New episodes from November 1
- Still available on all major platforms
- Early access for SiriusXM Podcasts+ users
- YouTube content included in the deal
- New shows in development collaboratively
Allen, clearly pleased by the move, shared: “Telling stories that entertain, inform, intrigue, excite, and maybe sometimes frighten the millions of people who share my passion for storytelling is a dream come true.” You can feel it — he’s not leaving the ship, he’s inviting more people on board.
A context of change in the podcasting world
This move comes just after Amazon restructured Wondery, its podcast division, separating creator-led shows from narrative content. MrBallen was originally under a three-year first-look deal with Amazon since 2022. He’s not the only one making the switch — in 2023, Morbid, another heavyweight in true crime, also went to SiriusXM.
More broadly, SiriusXM has been positioning itself as a central hub for podcasts. In the last year alone, they’ve brought in names like Smartless, Call Her Daddy, Crime Junkie, Dateline NBC and Rotten Mango. Adding MrBallen gives them eight out of the top 20 U.S. podcasts under their umbrella.
Honestly, I have mixed feelings. I’m glad to see a creator like John Allen get the recognition and platform he deserves. Across his podcast and YouTube channel, he’s earned something rare: trust. We know we’re in for a good story, something unsettling but not exploitative. My hope is that, with SiriusXM’s backing, nothing gets watered down — the long, quiet pauses, the twists dropped right when you least expect them, the eerie restraint. That’s where the power of MrBallen is.
A voice that reshaped a genre
“John Allen has built The MrBallen Podcast into a global phenomenon,” said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s president and chief content officer. “His distinctive storytelling has captivated millions and set a high bar in the genre.” And he’s right. MrBallen did what very few manage: he made true crime and mystery feel intimate again. He didn’t shout and didn’t add sound effects for cheap thrills. He told his stories like someone in front of a fire, close, slow, with the kind of rhythm you don’t forget. To read Toho expands into Europe with bold anime distribution moves
More episodes, more collaborations, maybe new shows entirely — the future looks busy for MrBallen. But if Allen continues doing what he does best, we may see something more than just a bigger audience. We may see a new standard for what storytelling can be in this crowded sea of content.
