The Guardian Launches Daily Video News Podcast for U.S. Audience in 2026
The Guardian has announced plans to launch a daily video news podcast targeting U.S. audiences. The move signals not only a strategic expansion in America but also a deeper commitment to blending audio journalism with visual storytelling — a format that has traditionally been considered too resource-intensive for daily production.
The upcoming project marks a turning point for the British news organization as it doubles down on its U.S. growth strategy, invests in multimedia infrastructure, and bets big on the evolving consumption habits of American audiences.
Below is everything we know so far — including who’s hosting, why this matters, what it means for the podcast industry, and how it could reshape digital journalism in 2026.
A New Chapter for The Guardian’s U.S. Expansion Strategy
The Guardian is preparing to enter a highly competitive space: the U.S. daily video news podcast market.
The announcement, made internally by U.S. Editor Betsy Reed, reveals that the media organization is developing a still-untitled daily video podcast set to launch later this spring.
According to Reed, the initiative is:
A major investment in American journalism
A strategic integration of audio and video news formats
A reflection of the publication’s expanding U.S. newsroom footprint
Part of a broader push across politics, media, sports, culture, and breaking news
The Guardian’s U.S. team has reportedly surpassed 200 employees, signaling significant operational scale in the American market.
Why This Launch Matters
Daily podcasts have historically remained audio-only for one major reason:
They are labor-intensive.
Adding video dramatically increases:
Production time
Studio setup requirements
Editing workflow
Technical staffing needs
Distribution complexity
Yet The Guardian is choosing to absorb those challenges — suggesting confidence in the long-term payoff of video-first journalism.
Why Video Podcasts Are Becoming the Future of News
The media industry has been gradually moving toward video-driven formats, particularly as:
YouTube dominates news discovery
TikTok reshapes short-form news
Spotify increases video podcast visibility
Advertisers prioritize visual inventory
The Guardian’s decision reflects a broader industry trend:
Key Industry Shifts Driving This Move
📱 Audiences want visual context with analysis
🎥 Video increases engagement and watch time
💰 Video ad CPMs are significantly higher than audio
🔁 Multi-platform distribution boosts brand visibility
📊 Younger audiences prefer hybrid news formats
By launching a daily video podcast specifically for the U.S., The Guardian is aligning with American consumption habits — where video-based commentary continues to surge.
Meet the Hosts: Carter Sherman and Kai Wright
The show will be hosted by two respected journalists with strong editorial backgrounds and on-air experience.
Carter Sherman: A Voice on Reproductive Justice
Carter Sherman has served as The Guardian’s reproductive health and justice reporter since 2023.
Her career trajectory includes:
Reporting at Vice News (2017–2023)
Freelance work for Elle
Contributions to LA Mag
In-depth coverage of U.S. health policy and abortion rights
Sherman is known for her investigative rigor and clear storytelling — assets that translate well to a daily news format requiring depth and immediacy.
Kai Wright: Award-Winning Podcast Veteran
Kai Wright brings significant audio journalism experience.
Most recently, he served as host and managing editor of:
WNYC Studios’ “Notes From America”
Host of multiple limited-series podcasts
Lead voice of Season 3 of Blindspot, which explored early years of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S.
The third season of Blindspot earned a prestigious:
Peabody Award in 2024
Wright also hosted:
Indivisible during the first 100 days of the Trump administration.
His blend of analytical depth and accessible commentary positions him as a powerful co-host for a daily format.
Betsy Reed’s Vision: Blending Humor, Insight, and Serious Journalism
Betsy Reed emphasized that both hosts bring:
Humor
Personality
Insight
Editorial authority
The memo suggests the show will balance:
Serious reporting
Conversational tone
Cultural context
Breaking news analysis
This hybrid approach aligns with what American audiences increasingly expect from modern news podcasts.
Building From Scratch: Studio, Hiring, and Pilot Episodes
The Guardian isn’t repurposing existing infrastructure. Instead, it is:
Designing a video podcast studio from scratch
Recording pilot episodes
Hiring additional staff
Refining format structure
Testing visual storytelling workflows
This level of investment indicates a long-term strategy rather than an experimental side project.
Strategic Timing: Why 2026 Is the Perfect Moment
Several factors make early 2026 an optimal time for this launch:
1. Political Intensity in the U.S.
With ongoing election cycles and high political polarization, demand for analysis is surging.
2. Podcast Market Maturity
Daily news podcasts have proven sustainability in audio form. The next frontier is video.
3. Guardian’s U.S. Staffing Milestone
Crossing 200 U.S. employees means deeper reporting resources to feed daily production.
4. Platform Algorithm Shifts
Video-forward content receives preferential treatment on:
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook Watch
What This Means for Competitors
The Guardian’s move places pressure on:
Traditional audio-only daily podcasts
U.S.-based news organizations
Public radio formats
Independent political podcasts
If successful, this model could:
Redefine newsroom workflows
Increase competition for top-tier hosts
Accelerate the video transformation of legacy media
The Production Challenge: Why Few Have Attempted This
Daily news podcasts already require:
Morning editorial meetings
Script writing
Audio editing
Same-day publishing
Adding video means:
Multi-camera setups
Lighting and studio design
On-screen graphics
Post-production color grading
Platform-specific formatting
Few legacy outlets have attempted a fully daily video news show with journalistic depth — making The Guardian’s bet particularly ambitious.
How This Could Impact U.S. Media Landscape
If the podcast succeeds, we could see:
Increased transatlantic influence in U.S. discourse
Stronger competition in political commentary
Cross-market advertising deals
More hybrid newsrooms blending broadcast and print skillsets
The Guardian has long been recognized for its investigative journalism. A daily U.S.-targeted video show could amplify its voice significantly in American conversations.
Audience Expectations: What Viewers Will Likely Get
While details remain limited, industry indicators suggest the show may include:
Top news story breakdowns
Political analysis
Cultural commentary
Expert interviews
On-screen graphics
Social media-ready clips
Daily headline summaries
Given the hosts’ backgrounds, expect depth rather than shallow commentary.
The Broader Guardian U.S. Growth Plan
The Guardian’s U.S. expansion over recent years has included:
Increased political reporting
Culture desk expansion
Sports coverage growth
Breaking news infrastructure
Digital subscriber growth initiatives
This video podcast is the latest — and perhaps most visible — step in that strategy.
Final Analysis: A Risk Worth Taking?
The Guardian’s upcoming daily video podcast represents:
A technological evolution
A financial investment
A brand repositioning in America
A strategic risk in a saturated market
But with seasoned hosts, editorial depth, and a clear U.S. focus, it may prove to be one of 2026’s most significant media launches.
As spring approaches, all eyes will be on how the show debuts — and whether daily video journalism becomes the new industry standard.