What’s new on Netflix? Podcasts!

In a turn of events that probably signals the beginning of a battle with YouTube for online video supremacy, Netflix announced a deal last October to include video versions of podcasts in its library.

Not everyone was thrilled, as podcast purists still consider it an audio medium and video just an accompaniment. The thought of video podcasts being rebranded angered a lot of fans, as podcasting itself still struggles to find a clear identity.

Hey, did you know that I run a podcast too? It recently hit one million downloads, just from the Cyprus audience! It’s called HistoriCon, and every week I present a story to my co-host and break it down with humour. Ad break over.

Earlier this year, the streaming behemoth made good on its promise and added a batch of podcasts to the platform.

Behind the Bastards

History books often celebrate heroes, but Behind the Bastards focuses on the villains. Hosted by journalist Robert Evans, the podcast explores the lives of some of the worst people in history, from dictators and cult leaders to corrupt businessmen, right-wing influencers, and media manipulators.

Want to know about Roy Cohn, the amoral lawyer who helped shape Donald Trump’s worldview? A deep dive into the life and crimes of Henry Kissinger? Or maybe Hitler’s bizarre fascination with a Young Adult book series? Behind the Bastards has you covered.

Each episode digs into the background of these figures, examining how they gained power and the damage they caused along the way. Evans combines detailed research with dark humour and guest commentary, turning heavy historical subjects into compelling conversations.

Last Podcast on the Left

Not gonna lie. When I saw that Last Podcast on the Left was included in the catalogue, I squealed like an anime schoolgirl finally noticed by senpai.

I’ve been a fan of this show for almost a decade and was pretty much inspired by them to get into the industry. If you like your grim history and true crime with a side of dark humour and a healthy helping of chaos, Last Podcast on the Left is right up your alley.

Hosted by Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski and Ed Larson, the show dives headfirst into serial killers, cults, UFOs and the kind of historical weirdness that makes you question humanity and reality itself.

Marcus brings the research, Henry delivers wild comedic impressions, and Ed keeps them both grounded with terrible puns, lots of humour, and the occasional horror story from the time he worked as a cook.

The result is a podcast that somehow manages to be disturbing and hilarious at the same time. Last Podcast on the Left releases two episodes per week, as every Wednesday, Henry and Ed return for Side Stories, a show that focuses on current true-crime news.

My Favorite Murder

Did you know that around 80 per cent of the true-crime audience are women?

Yep. Listening to gruesome stories about a man kidnapping women and chopping them into little pieces usually isn’t dudes. More likely it’s a 30-year-old woman in her pyjamas drinking a glass of red wine on the couch.

I don’t know exactly why this is – psychologists believe it’s because women tend to be more empathetic by nature – but I do know what helped fuel this obsession.

My Favorite Murder is a podcast phenomenon, a global hit, and a constant companion for legions of screaming fans. Hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, the podcast became a success by mixing crime storytelling with humour, empathy, and plenty of personal tangents.

I once heard them talk for about half an hour about the benefits of tights because one of them had just bought a pair. After that they seamlessly slid into the story of a serial killer who fed people to pigs. Love them.

Each episode explores a different case -sometimes infamous murders, sometimes lesser-known crimes- with the hosts reacting in real time as they unpack the details.

The Breakfast Club

Politics? Pop culture? Underground vibes? Few shows have shaped conversations like The Breakfast Club.

Broadcasting from a New York radio station, the show features DJ Envy, Charlamagne tha God, and their co-hosts speaking with some of the biggest names in music, politics and entertainment.

If you want to stay in the loop with what’s happening on the other side of the Atlantic, The Breakfast Club is the show for you.

Guests often open up about career moves, personal struggles and headline-making moments, making the show a must-watch for fans who want more than a standard promotional interview.

Over the years it has become one of the most influential media platforms in hip-hop culture, and now its video-podcast format brings those conversations to an even wider audience.