Listener sentiment
Apple News Today continues to draw strong loyalty from listeners who rely on its concise, ad-free weekday format as a morning staple, with host Shumita Basu's calm, polished delivery remaining the most frequently cited reason people tune in. Her extended maternity leave through spring and into summer 2026 has been the single biggest source of listener friction: replacement hosts have drawn a mixed reception, with some warming to Cecilia Lay's measured tone and Gideon Resnick's straightforward style, while others find the fill-ins dry or unengaging and actively petition for Shumita's return. A format change introduced mid-2026 — denser headline intros and more embedded audio clips from multiple speakers — has prompted complaints from some commuters who find the new structure harder to follow while driving. The show's most persistent divide, however, remains editorial bias, and it splits in opposite directions: one camp accuses the program of left-leaning slant, another claims it has softened coverage to avoid antagonizing the current administration, and a growing chorus of defenders argues the show simply reports facts regardless of who they disfavor. Recurring structural complaints about frequent staff vacations and the show's US-centric scope — a particular frustration for Canadian and international listeners — round out the criticism alongside continued praise for the show's production quality and balanced mix of hard news and lighter stories.
Apple3.9 · 570
Summary generated Jul 31, 2026
