Rephonic
Artwork for News Weakly

News Weakly with Sami Shah

Sami Shah
Gaza
Australia
Kate Middleton
Israel
Violence Against Women
Australian Federal Budget
The Mist
Sudan
Taylor Swift
Donald Trump
Hamas
Ukraine
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Anthony Albanese
Australian Podcast Awards
Middle East
Tiktok
Royal Family
Julian Assange
Audible

News Weakly is the sharpest, funniest, and most professional news satire podcast in Australia—where we punch the news in the headlines… weakly.

Hosted by multi-award-winning comedian, journalist, and author Sami Shah, the show delivers a fast-paced, fiercely intelligent breakdown of the biggest stories in politics, global affairs, and culture. With a background that spans stand-up comedy, radio br... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes216Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Comedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for News Weakly

Latest Episodes

NEWS WEAKLY 198 – 31st January 2026

This week on News Weakly:

• Scott Morrison resurfaces to reform Islam, Western civilisation, and reality itself, proposing authoritarian religious controls while insisting this is what freedom looks like.

• A bo... more

NEWS WEAKLY 197 – 24th January 2026

This week on News Weakly:

• George R. R. Martin gives an interview that finally, definitively kills The Winds of Winter and with it the last surviving shard of millennial optimism.

• The Coalition explodes over h... more

NEWS WEAKLY 196 – 17th January 2026

Top Stories of the Week

Running From Iran

A nationwide internet blackout, mass killings, exile fantasies, and the danger of confusing silence for stability.

Albo Hates Hate

After Bondi, Australia reaches for s... more

Just a quick announcement that the next episode of News Weakly will contain a bonus audio documentary about News Satire.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Ahmed Al Ahmed
Syrian immigrant and hero who disarmed a gunman
Not mentioned
Episode: News Weakly 194 - Ahmed Al Ahmed teaches Journalism 101
Mark Humphries
One of Australia's funniest political satirists
ABC TV, Channel 7
Episode: 168 - Mark Humphries gets thoughtful about satire
Dave Anthony
Host of the comedy history podcast The Dollop.
The Dollop
Episode: News Weakly: Dave Anthony Edition
Mushfiqul Faisal Ansari
DC-based Bangladeshi journalist
Episode: News Weakly Issue 122
Nuzrat Chowdhury
Associate Professor of Anthropology at Amherst College
Amherst College
Episode: News Weakly Issue 122
Dr. Shamara Mirza
Scientist and social activist from the Bangladeshi diaspora
Episode: News Weakly Issue 122
Muhammad Yunus
Nobel Peace Prize winner and microfinancing advocate
Episode: News Weakly Issue 122
Imam Adam Kellwick
Leader at Abdullah Quillam Society Mosque in Liverpool
Abdullah Quillam Society
Episode: News Weakly Issue 122
Fatima Payman
A 27-year-old Afghan refugee and Labor Senator known for her advocacy on diversity and Palestinian rights.
Australian Labor Party
Episode: News Weakly Issue 121

Host

Sami Shah
Multi-award-winning comedian, journalist, and author known for his sharp wit and incisive commentary on social and political issues. He brings a unique blend of humor and critical insight, drawing from his background in stand-up comedy and journalism.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 300 ratings
  • Truthful, honest punches in the headlines

    Thanks Sami, your commentary on the unspeakable brings comfort when needed. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BigDaddy0706
    Australia2 months ago
  • Excellent, thought-provoking, and funny

    Sami Shah does a great job of presenting the news in a way that is funny. He does not shy away from difficult topics. Rather, he give us context and perspective, and turns the mirror not just on the overall system, but on each of us. Sometimes this is uncomfortable as you think about it, but it never gets preachy. The points he makes are good and can lead to some significant self reflection and insights. And all during this. He presents sit in a way that is funny and easy to understand. It’s a g... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Across the Cold Pacific
    United States2 months ago
  • Bondi Beach

    I acknowledge your comments during this most difficult time. May we get through this horror. All of us.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Xander of Sydney
    Australia2 months ago
  • Conditional Condolences

    Sami thank you for this podcast. In so many ways you have provided me with a more enlightened view.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alaalgae
    Australia2 months ago
  • Sunlight is the best disinfectant

    Sami added “I love you” to his fundraising pitch.

    That’s gross.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Liberal Austin Hawk
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners express gratitude for the relatable perspectives on news and social issues, highlighting the soothing effects of the host's storytelling amidst tumultuous news cycles.
Listeners praise the podcast for its brilliant satire and terrifyingly accurate insights into current events.
The podcast is frequently lauded for its sharp critique of Australian politics and the absurdities within the political landscape.
Many appreciate the host's ability to thoroughly tackle serious topics while infusing humor, making complex issues more digestible.
There's a strong positive sentiment about the engaging delivery style of the host, reflecting a blend of expertise and entertainment.

Top Comedy Podcasts

The Kyle & Jackie O Show
The Kyle & Jackie O ShowKIIS and iHeart Australia
No Such Thing As A Fish
No Such Thing As A FishNo Such Thing As A Fish
SmartLess
SmartLessJason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
Alpha Blokes Podcast
Alpha Blokes PodcastAlpha Blokes Project
Toni and Ryan
Toni and RyanToni Lodge and Ryan Jon
We Mean Well
We Mean WellPipe Dreams Media

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

168 - Mark Humphries gets thoughtful about satire
Q: How does your comedy approach differ between mainstream news and satire?
Mark notes that while mainstream media needs to maintain a more neutral stance, satire has the freedom to express opinions and elicit emotional reactions, often grounded in factual concepts.
168 - Mark Humphries gets thoughtful about satire
Q: What brought you to this genre? Why news satire?
Mark explains that he fell backwards into news satire through an internship on a daily news comedy show, where he gradually learned and engaged with political topics.
News Weakly: Dave Anthony Edition
Q: What's your prediction for the upcoming election?
I honestly have no idea who will win this election; it's the first time I have no clue.
News Weakly: Dave Anthony Edition
Q: What do you think is the logic behind Democrats considering former enemies like the Cheneys?
They're attempting to gather support from anti-Trump Republicans while risking their traditional voter base.
News Weakly: Dave Anthony Edition
Q: What the fuck is going on in the United States of America?
It's really hard for people to understand because honestly, most people in America don't understand either.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About News Weakly

What is News Weakly about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast is a sharp and humorous news satire platform that critiques current events, global affairs, and political dynamics, particularly within Australia. Hosted by a multi-award-winning comedian and journalist, it blends biting satire with insightful commentary, addressing significant topics ranging from Australian politics, international crises, to cultural absurdities. The host's background in stand-up comedy and journalism provides a unique lens through which listeners can engage with the often overwhelming news cycle in a more palatable way. The content consistently aims to highlight hypocrisy and complexity in political narratives while keeping the delivery fast-paced and entertaining, making it a go-to choice for those interested... more

Where can I find podcast stats for News Weakly?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for News Weakly. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to News Weakly and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does News Weakly get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for News Weakly, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for News Weakly?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for News Weakly, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does News Weakly have?

To see how many followers or subscribers News Weakly has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to News Weakly?

These podcasts share a similar audience with News Weakly:

1. The Bugle
2. If You're Listening
3. Everyone Relax
4. The Chaser Report
5. Not Stupid

How many episodes of News Weakly are there?

News Weakly launched 4 years ago and published 216 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact News Weakly?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for News Weakly?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for News Weakly from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for News Weakly?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of News Weakly. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on News Weakly?

Recent guests on News Weakly include:

1. Ahmed Al Ahmed
2. Mark Humphries
3. Dave Anthony
4. Mushfiqul Faisal Ansari
5. Nuzrat Chowdhury
6. Dr. Shamara Mirza
7. Muhammad Yunus
8. Imam Adam Kellwick

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days