Top 10 TV Shows That Should Become Podcasts — And How to Do It Right

Hook: Why your favorite show needs a podcast — and fast

Feeling overwhelmed by streaming menus, unsure where to find added value beyond the screen, or hungry for deeper dives without spoilers? You're not alone. In 2026, audiences crave richer, longer-form engagement with TV worlds — and podcasts are the most flexible, direct way to deliver it. From companion interviews that deepen character arcs to fully produced fictional spin-offs that expand storylines, turning TV-to-podcast is no longer niche; it's a strategic extension of a show's life cycle.

Executive summary — the opportunity in 2026

TV-to-podcast adaptations are booming because they solve three big audience pain points: discovery, depth, and community. Recent industry moves — presenters like Ant & Dec launching Hanging Out in early 2026 and the growth of subscription-first podcast networks like Goalhanger — show two things: talent can transfer audiences across platforms, and listeners will pay for premium, exclusive audio content. Goalhanger now exceeds 250,000 paying subscribers — roughly £15m a year in member revenue — proving the business case for premium companion content.

“Goalhanger exceeds 250,000 paying subscribers — average subscriber ~£60/year, generating ~£15m annually.”

Below: a practical, ranked list of 10 TV shows primed to become world-class podcasts — plus a playbook: the podcast formats that work, production and licensing advice, audience-growth tactics, and monetization strategies tailored for 2026 realities.

Top 10 TV shows that should become podcasts — and exactly how

Each pick includes the recommended format, why it’ll work in audio, and a short production blueprint you can implement.

1. The Pitt (HBO Max) — medical drama: companion + fictional POV spin-off

   Why: Medical shows invite curiosity about treatment details, ethics, and character psychology. With The Pitt season 2 exploring Dr. Langdon’s return from rehab and shifting dynamics among staff, there’s room for character-driven audio.

   • Format: Episode-by-episode companion (30–40 mins) plus a serialized fictional spin-off from Dr. Mel King’s perspective (6–8 episodes, cinematic audio drama).
   • Guests: Cast members (Taylor Dearden), medical consultants, showrunner roundtables, patient-advocate voices.
   • Production notes: Release companion episodes the same day as TV to capture post-episode demand; stagger the fictional spin-off between seasons to sustain interest.
   • Spoiler policy: Clearly timestamped segments with “spoiler-free first 10 minutes” to pull in casual listeners.

2. Any major franchise with star hosts (think Ant & Dec) — presenter-led nostalgia and behind-the-scenes

   Why: Ant & Dec’s move into podcasting in 2026 (Hanging Out) shows presenters can mobilize cross-platform audiences into loyal listeners.

   • Format: Casual “hang out” chat episodes (20–45 mins), plus ticketed live recordings and member-only Q&A.
   • Monetization: Free feed with dynamic ads + premium membership offering ad-free episodes, early access, and Discord access modeled on Goalhanger’s bundle.
   • Growth tip: Repurpose video snippets for TikTok/YouTube Shorts to drive listeners to the audio feed.

3. Black Mirror — tech-ethics companion & world-building audio anthologies

   Why: Each episode’s premise is a conversation starter. Audio lets creators explore the speculative technology in depth with ethicists, futurists, writers, and fans.

   • Format: Expert-led deep dive (40–60 mins) + short audio fictions that expand a single episode’s world (10–20 mins).
   • Differentiator: Pair each episode with a companion “case file” that sounds like a documentary investigative audio piece.

4. Ted Lasso — in-universe therapy & sports psychology podcast

   Why: Fans love character growth and optimism. An in-character therapy podcast (e.g., Rebecca’s therapy notes) or a coach’s roundtable examining leadership could thrive.

   • Format: Two-tier approach — weekly character-driven shorts (10–15 mins) + monthly expert episodes (sport psychologists, leadership experts).
   • Cross-promo: Use episodes to unveil short written pieces or “locker-room” audio for subscribers.

5. Only Murders in the Building — in-universe true-crime podcast

   Why: The show is already meta about true-crime podcasts; the jump to a real podcast continuing that conceit is natural and fan-pleasing.

   • Format: Serialized, character-hosted investigations blurring fiction and commentary, produced as high-quality audio drama (30–45 mins).
   • Engagement: Build ARG elements with clues in show notes and short bonus episodes for paid members.

6. Stranger Things — nostalgia deep dives + fan-theory roundtables

   Why: 1980s nostalgia and mystery fuel passionate communities hungry for theorycraft and lore exploration.

   • Format: Weekly fan-theory panels (45–60 mins), expert interviews (pop-culture scholars), and a limited-run prequel audio drama that fills a canonical gap.
   • Promotion: Coordinate episodes around streaming release windows to maximize search interest for “Stranger Things companion podcast.”

7. The Crown — history vs. drama companion

   Why: Viewers constantly ask “How much of this is true?” A podcast that pairs historians with the show’s writers can dissect episodes and offer context.

   • Format: Season-long scholarly companion (30–40 mins) with primary-source audio inserts and historian interviews.
   • Value-add: Detailed show notes and transcripts for researchers and educators — strong SEO signal.

8. Ozark — true-crime style re-watch + fictional origin stories

   Why: The gritty crime world of Ozark translates well to an investigative audio series that treats the show’s fiction like case files.

   • Format: “Case file” podcast episodes (35–50 mins) mixing interviews with creators and staged witness/audio drama inserts for color.
   • Monetization: Bundled premium episodes that include extended interviews and behind-the-scenes audio.

9. The Mandalorian — serialized audio adventures & origin tales

   Why: Franchise fans love lore. Audio is cost-effective to expand canon with richly produced stories that don’t require on-set budgets.

   • Format: High-end serialized audio drama (30–45 mins) focusing on side characters or prequel timelines.
   • Production tip: Keep original composers and sound designers on board to maintain brand audio identity.

10. The Office — cast roundtables, lost scenes, and in-universe podcasts

    Why: Fans crave reunion content and character-driven micro-stories. The mockumentary conceit adapts perfectly to in-universe interviews and office “HR” podcast skits.

    • Format: Long-form cast reunions (60 mins) + scripted in-universe podcast episodes (15–25 mins) for fans.
    • Revenue: Live tour recordings + limited-run premium bundles sell well to loyal fandoms.

Podcast formats that work for TV adaptations (and when to use them)

Choosing the right podcast format is as strategic as choosing episode length. Here are the most effective formats in 2026, with use-cases:

• Companion interviews / episode deep dives — Best for serialized dramas and prestige TV. Release with each TV episode; keep 30–40 minutes.
• Fictional spin-offs (audio drama) — Great for world-building without expensive screen budgets. Use 6–10 episode seasons.
• In-universe character podcasts — Works well for shows already using found-footage or documentary styles.
• Docu-style behind-the-scenes — Ideal for historical or true-story adaptations (The Crown-style).
• Host hangouts & personality shows — Best when a TV host or presenter has strong social reach (e.g., Ant & Dec).

Actionable production playbook — from rights to launch

This checklist is designed for showrunners, producers, and podcast teams launching a TV-to-podcast project in 2026.

1. Rights & licensing (do this first)

• Secure audio rights in your TV contracts — both music clearances and character/brand rights. Negotiate clauses for derivative audio works and merchandising.
• Decide exclusivity: platform (Spotify/Apple), network (Acast/Stitcher), or direct-to-consumer memberships (Goalhanger-style). Hybrid models are common in 2026.

2. Format & cadence

• Match cadence to the TV schedule: weekly episodes during the season, plus periodic bonus episodes between seasons.
• Episode length: companion 20–40 mins; audio dramas 25–45 mins; live Q&A 45–90 mins.

3. Budgeting & staffing

• Budget line items: talent fees, writers, sound design, licensing, hosting, marketing, and premium platform costs. For a mid-tier companion show budget £7k–£15k per episode; high-end audio dramas can be £20k+ per episode.
• Hire a showrunner and a dedicated producer — TV producers don’t always translate to podcast pacing; an audio producer is essential.

4. Monetization strategy

• Core revenue paths in 2026: dynamic ad insertion (DAI), premium subscriptions, branded content, live shows, and merchandising.
• Use a freemium funnel: free episodes to build an audience; gated bonus content and early access for paying members. Goalhanger’s model (ad-free, bonus content, live tickets, members-only chatrooms) is a blueprint.

5. Distribution & platform strategy

• Distribute broadly via RSS to Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Pocket Casts, etc., while hosting premium episodes on a gated platform (Patreon/Luminary/self-hosted).
• Consider platform deals carefully — they can provide promotion but often require exclusivity.

6. Marketing & audience growth

• SEO for podcast: optimized show notes, episode transcripts, timestamps, and targeted keywords (use “companion podcast,” “TV to podcast,” and show-specific terms).
• Repurpose short-form video content to social platforms. Use audiograms and vertical subclips for TikTok and Instagram Reels.
• Build community with Discord, newsletters, and members-only chatrooms. Offer early access to live tickets, following Goalhanger’s community playbook.

7. Metrics & KPIs

• Track downloads, listens per episode, subscriber conversion rate, churn rate, and engagement (completion rate). For premium models, monitor ARPU (average revenue per user).
• Use these metrics to iterate: if companion episodes underperform, shift to shorter formats or increase star guest frequency. Consider analytics best practices from observability and data tooling for creators.

Promotion & cross-platform timing — syncing audio and streaming

To make the most of release windows, align companion podcasts with streaming drops. Launch the companion on the day of the season premiere, then publish a new companion episode within 24 hours of each TV episode to capture search and social momentum. Space fictional spin-offs between seasons to keep the fandom engaged year-round.

Legal and creative pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Spoiler fatigue: Use clear episode labeling and “spoiler-free” time codes. Offer a separate spoiler feed for deep-dive listeners.
• Over-licensing: Don’t assume audio rights are included in TV deals. Get explicit permissions for character use and theme music.
• Talent burnout: Avoid overcommitting stars to weekly tapings. Consider alternating guest hosts or batch recordings.
• Quality mismatch: A poorly produced podcast can tarnish a brand. Invest in sound design and editing — listeners notice production value.

Case study: What Goalhanger and Ant & Dec teach us in 2026

Goalhanger’s rapid subscriber growth proves listeners will pay for curated, premium audio networks that bundle benefits (ad-free listening, bonus content, early access, community chatrooms). For TV properties, that means a clear monetization path exists if you build a compelling members experience.

Ant & Dec’s Hanging Out launch is a reminder that talent-driven shows land quickly because the hosts already have cross-platform audiences. The lesson: when working with TV talent, prioritize authenticity and low-friction formats that make them comfortable — the “hang out” model often outperforms heavily produced formats for personality-driven creators.

Three ready-to-apply podcast episode blueprints

Blueprint A — Companion episode (TV episode day)

1. 0:00–02:00 — Friendly intro and non-spoiler hook
2. 02:00–10:00 — Spoiler-free recap for casual listeners
3. 10:00–30:00 — Deep dive & guest interview (writer/actor/consultant)
4. 30:00–35:00 — Fan mail / theory segment
5. 35:00–40:00 — Teaser for next episode and membership CTA

Blueprint B — Serialized audio drama episode

1. 0:00–01:00 — Cold open
2. 01:00–03:00 — Title and brief recap of previous episode
3. 03:00–25:00 — Acted scenes with sound design
4. 25:00–30:00 — End tag and cliffhanger

Blueprint C — Expert roundtable

1. 0:00–05:00 — Context and framing
2. 05:00–35:00 — Focused discussion on a theme or episode
3. 35:00–45:00 — Audience questions + resource links

Final checklist before you greenlight

• Have you secured audio and music rights?
• Do you have a production budget and dedicated audio showrunner?
• Is there a clear launch calendar tied to TV release windows?
• Have you designed a monetization funnel (ads, membership, live tickets)?
• Do you have a marketing plan that includes short-form video and community-building?

Why this matters now — 2026 trends to lean into

Late 2025 and early 2026 proved two things: premium podcast subscriptions scale, and TV talent moving to audio unlocks immediate audiences. Networks that treat podcasts as strategic IP extensions (not afterthoughts) win. Audio is cheaper than screen to produce, can experiment with narrative risks, and keeps fandom alive between seasons — a crucial advantage as subscription fatigue reshapes streaming strategies.

Closing takeaways

• Start aligned: Match format to show type — companions for serialized drama, audio drama for lore-heavy franchises, personality shows for presenters.
• Build community: Membership + Discord + live shows = sustainable revenue.
• Don’t skimp on production: Audio quality is brand quality.
• Measure & iterate: Use downloads, retention, and ARPU to refine content; instrument analytics and reporting similar to observability playbooks for reliable KPIs.

Call to action

Have a show you think belongs on this list — or a pitch that blends a TV property with a killer podcast idea? Share it with us in the comments or pitch directly to our editorial lab. If you’re a producer, download our free 10-step TV-to-podcast launch checklist (link available in the newsletter) and join our next masterclass on turning screen IP into thriving audio experiences.

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