Top 13 Progressive News Shows on YouTube
***Read the UPDATED version of this blog HERE:
WATCH: TOP 33 PROGRESSIVE NEWS SHOWS ON YOUTUBE [2020 EDITION]
Well before Bernie Sanders, many excellent anti-establishment news shows were popular on YouTube as alternatives to cable channels. I’ve been watching YouTube news for nearly a decade and wanted to share my favorite progressive commentators to watch. Here are 13 progressive news shows on YouTube everyone should watch.
The Young Turks
The Young Turks is the obvious go-to for progressive news on YouTube. The YouTube giant has 2.7 million followers on their main channel and is responsible for the majority of online news consumed by people under 35. They didn’t need a political revolution to become relevant, but it’s definitely helped. In addition to a daily 2-hour live show, the self-proclaimed “rebel headquarters” hosted live debate coverage, featured coverage from Primary and Caucus locations, and hosted special election night coverage on all the major voting days. Cenk, Ana, John, Jimmy, Ben and the others provide excellent insight into the news of the day. Including brutal take downs of Trump. Best yet, they’ve just raised over a million dollars and hired excellent journalists Shaun King and Nomiki Konst to join the team.
In addition to their main show, the TYT Network features numerous other channels. Check out Aggressive Progressives with Jimmy Dore, TYT Politics featuring field reporter Jordan Cheritone, a Sports Channel I’d enjoy a lot more if I cared about soccer, and the pop culture commentary show Think Tank.
The Majority Report
Sam Seder’s The Majority Report operates much more like a traditional podcast or radio show than a cable news show. The New York/New Jersey based political talk show has impressively been voted Podcastawards.com Best News/Politics podcast four years in a row. Seder is also a part of the Ring of Fire Network. He’s established in the news world and is definitely worth a few hours of time while you’re working. Airing a live daily news commentary show hours before TYT, the Majority Report serves as the perfect morning entertainment. Oh, and it’s fucking hilarious. Appearing with Seder is Michael Brooks, a man most notable for having the best Trump impersonation of all time. For real, check it out.
Secular Talk
Despite the niche nature of the name, Secular Talk hosted by Kyle Kulinski was an excellent resource for following the 2016 Election. While undoubtedly leaning towards religious issues, he has managed to holistically cover politicians on both sides of the aisle. A solo Act from behind a desk with little to offer in terms of visuals, I enjoy the many daily video offerings. A perfect go-to while at work or while doing other things on my computer.
Recently, Kulsinski has teamed up with Cenk at TYT to launch Justice Democrats. Check it out if you want to get involved in local politics.
Tim Black
Tim Black is a Bernie-or-bust voter who provided unique perspectives on the 2016 election. He isn’t afraid to talk in-depth on issues like voter suppression, corruption, and the rigged nature of the primaries. He is a hardcore progressive and isn’t afraid to show it. His conversation with Niko House is a must watch.
The Humanist Report
The Humanist report with Mike Figueredo is a relatively new show that only took off when the 2016 election became a central issue to the channel. He films in what looks like a soundproof room with two nice screens behind him. His production looks professional and his results show. Good content and great production for a solo operation. Mike manages to have a lot of personality despite a calm and collected demeanor. A breathe of fresh air, he’s not the bombastic TV type you’re probably used to.
Thom Hartmann
Thom Hartmann is a 10 year radio-hosting vet. He also has presence on TV, including a show on RT America. According to Wikipedia, “While the show carries the RT bug, it is entirely owned by Hartmann’s company, which has contractual editorial control over the program.” He is the most popular progressive radio host in the nation and is live daily from 12 – 3 PM ET. Multiple videos uploaded daily and a aura of legitimacy make Hartmann an excellent choice for opinion news on almost any medium.
Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman
When I originally wrote this, I forgot to mention Amy Goodman and Democracy Now!. Thanks to the Humanist Report fans for pointing it out! Democracy Now! is an independent, global weekday news hour anchored by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. The show broadcasts to nearly 1,400 TV, radio and Internet stations. Amy is a longtime progressive commentator. To be honest, I didn’t know the show’s YouTube channel was as full and active as it is. Amy is an excellent listen and can serve as an early morning alternate to The Majority Report if that’s not your style. It is a show that all Progressives should be familiar with.
David Pakman Show
David Pakman is well known in online progressive circles. During the 2016 election, many progressives claimed he was a Hillary shill. From my point of view, it simply wasn’t true. While he may be more realistic than many on the left, he undoubtedly is a real progressive. Great show with high quality consistent content from a well respected and experienced voice. Mister Pakman is absolutely worth your time.
The Ring of Fire
The Ring of Fire had its inception on radio in 2004. According to their YouTube description, they started with a goal of, “exposing Wall Street thugs, environmental criminality, corporate media failure, and political back stories that you will rarely find from any other source.” The Ring of Fire includes Mike Papantonio, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Majority Report’s Sam Seder. It is an excellent show with worthwhile insights for progressives.
Redacted Tonight
Sharing anything from RT makes me feel weird, but Lee Camp is without a doubt an intelligent and well-intentioned progressive voice. If you are weary of RT sources, I get that, but I would suggest giving him a chance. He just may win you over.
The Jimmy Dore Show
I didn’t mention the Jimmy Dore Show in my first (or second) iteration of this blog post. That’s because he is so intricately connected to the TYT experience. However, after numerous replies on Twitter informing me that his personal channel had absolutely blown up – it was a no doubter to edit the list to feature him. Dore was amazing throughout the Democratic Primary and since. He is one of the few unabashed progressives with a strong and loyal following online. As a bonus, he’s an amazing comic who brings the jokes to every show. Lots of jokes. (secretly, I’d like Dore and Michael Brooks to do a two-man-show. The debate they had together was excellent. Google it.)
The Sane Progressive
https://youtu.be/FN-cYCjAAXI
At nearly 36,000 subscribers, it seems the Sane Progressive has come out of nowhere to be a respected voice in Progressive Politics. I don’t have much personal experience with her content, but her viewership speaks for itself. Definitely give her a watch.
The Benjamin Dixon Show
Benjamin Dixon hosts a radio-type progressive talk show. Additionally, he hosts live shows M-T at 9pm EST, allowing viewers to call in and discuss important topics. Mister Dixon is another progressive host I’ve just discovered so I don’t have a ton of insight. His production value looks great though! I’ll definitely be keeping up with him in the months to come.
Why wasn’t Jimmy Dore on this list? He’s smoking the competition right now. He’s gaining subscribers at an enormous rate.
You’re right. I mentioned Aggressive Progressives in the TYT section. I didn’t realize his personal channel had gained so much steam! I will add him to the list this evening.
I like your list. I would add The Rational National and the The Hill.
What about The Rising with Krystal Ball
Why would you use Samuel Ronan’s huge mug to be the photo for “The Jimmy Dore Show”?
People who don’t know who Jimmy Dore is will now think he’s the young doofus who wants to be chief of the Corporate Democrats.
Hi – it’s just the screenshot for the video. I can’t change that sadly. I might swap the video out, but not many of his videos that are representative of the show feature himself in the thumbnail. Only the live shows do – which I love, but aren’t really a ‘normal’ example of his show. Thanks for the comment!
Thom Hartman is on RT also…
I will note that in the post!
Great list, got some new resources! Also, as a huge Jimmy Dore fan I’m glad to see he gets a recommendation. Check out ‘Democracy at Work’ too. Professor Richard Wolff is fantastic.
Economist Mark Blyth is also amazing. Although I don’t see a you tube channel he’s all over it as a guest (lately several visits to The Jimmy Dore Show).
Thanks for the recommendations! And I’m with you, Jimmy Dore is the man.
THE JIMMY DORE SHOW is the best one in my opinion.
RTBlack.
Do you believe “The Real News Network” fits in with the above list? I believe Paul Jay strongly supports progressive values and find myself watching the Real News, in addition to many on this list.
Hi! Watching some videos now. Excellent channel. I will be sure to include in the next update to this article!
I love the Humanist Report. Micheal Figueredo has a Master’s degree in Political Science and a PhD in (I think community planning) and his political analysis are well thought out and spot on. Actually, I like everyone else on the list too.
Why no Kim Iverson? She’s my favorite by far.
I know this an old article but also David Doel’s “The Rational National.”
I can’t believe you didn’t mention The Rational National with David Doyle in Canada. He is my absolute favorite. One reason is that he is appropriate enough for me to share his videos with people who might be turned off by the swearing and unprofessionalism of some of the others (even though I watch them all and agree we need to hear all of their opinions and commentary).
You left out David Doel’s “The Rational National”. Very calm and thoughtful commentary.
This guy named Jamal
Something who always wears a Fedora hat… what’s the name of his Chanel again?
Please don’t forget Eleanor Goldfield. She’s definitely a straight shooter and is spot on. Act Out is one of the best ever. She is a true progressive through and through. Love her show.
I can’t believe “Filter Free Amerika” got snubbed!
Rising by The Hill with Krystal Ball and Saagar are up in the 160k per video range and 230k viewers. They are a progressive/populist political show with a progressive and a “new conservative” on it. Absolutely my favorite show ever right now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdlF0zTzcrk&list=PLLri3HDD8DQun1ZXxLD0Egominw50CWxu
I like your list. I would add The Rational National and the The Rising.
Instead of Rising by the Hill (no longer hosted by Krystal and Saagar), you can add “Breaking Points” by Krystal and saagar. Now, Saagar would identify as conservative, but many of his economic views are fairly progressive (pro-union and regulation of markets). It’s a great, nuanced show.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90646413/why-breaking-points-with-krystal-and-saagar-became-the-number-one-political-podcast-in-a-week
Also, I have to agree with Dom that “The Rational National” needs to be added. Great commentator with a Canadian perspective on US politics, with the occasional Canadian story.
Hard Lens Media, Bad Faith, Kyle Kulinski, The Vanguard, Sabby Sabs, Hinkle, Sam and Kam, The Grey Zone, Aron Mate, Chris Hedges, Glen Greenwald, Useful Idiots With Matt Taibi and Katie Halpern