Complete Golden Bell Awards Winners List! 2025 Taiwan Podcast Show Recommendations + Apple, KKBOX Rankings
Firstory Team
The team behind Firstory, Asia's leading podcast platform.
The 2025 most recommended Podcast shows list, including Golden Bell Awards nominees and winners, plus popular shows from Apple and KKBOX charts, along with Firstory advertising and promotion tools - a must-see for Podcast enthusiasts!
Podcasts have rapidly risen over the past few years. Whether you're looking for new entertainment options or hoping to find more quality shows in 2024, this guide will lead you through the most popular Podcast shows currently available, introducing Golden Bell Award nominees, perennial Apple Podcasts chart favorites like "Gooaye", "Bailingguo", and "Taiwan Commute First Brand", and recommending Firstory's advertising and promotion tools to help your brand or show ride the Podcast wave.
Podcast Introduction
What is a Podcast?
Podcast (播客 in Chinese) is a digital media format, primarily consisting of audio programs that listeners can download via the internet. The English word combines "iPod" and "broadcast", reflecting its origin as a combination of portable music players and radio broadcasting. The key feature of Podcasts is their on-demand nature - listeners can freely choose content to listen to based on their own time and interests, which is completely different from traditional radio's fixed broadcast times.
How Podcasts Work
Podcast shows are typically distributed through RSS (Really Simple Syndication) technology, allowing listeners to subscribe to shows and automatically receive notifications when new episodes are released. Content can include interviews, stories, educational discussions, and more, covering various topics such as society and culture, news, and entertainment.
Podcast Listening Platforms
Currently popular Podcast platforms include Spotify and Apple Podcasts. These platforms provide convenient listening methods, and most Podcast shows are free to listen to. For more recommendations and comparisons of Podcast platforms, see What is a Podcast? 2024 Taiwan Free Podcast Platform Recommendations.
Why Are Podcasts Popular?
Podcasts have become widely popular in recent years, especially during commute times or leisure, when people can gain information or entertainment by listening to Podcasts. They not only reduce reliance on visual media but can also be listened to in multitasking environments, such as while exercising or doing household chores.
Podcasts continued to heat up in 2024, especially in Taiwan and globally, attracting numerous creators and listeners, and even becoming a new promotional channel for brands and advertisers. The Podcast market size is also growing larger, attracting many aspiring creators to join.
Podcast Show Recommendations: Golden Bell Awards Nominees and Winners
2024 Golden Bell Awards First Inclusion of Podcasts
The 59th Golden Bell Awards held in 2024 marked the first time the official organization (Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, Ministry of Culture) established Podcast awards, including four major awards: "Lifestyle Program Award", "Arts and Culture Program Award", "Children's Program Award", and "Youth Program Award". This holds significant meaning for the Podcast industry, mainly manifested in the following aspects:
- Industry Recognition
As the authoritative award in Taiwan's audio industry, the Golden Bell Awards' first inclusion of Podcast awards marks the formal recognition of Podcasts as an emerging media form. This not only elevates the status of Podcasts but also encourages more creators to invest in this field, driving content diversification and quality.
- Promoting Creative Diversity
The four newly added Podcast awards, including lifestyle, arts and culture, children's, and youth programs, demonstrate the diversity of Podcast content. These awards attract creators from different backgrounds, thereby promoting diversity in creative styles and themes, meeting the needs of different audience groups.
- Strengthening Listener Base
With the rapid development of the Podcast market, listener numbers continue to grow. According to reports, many well-known shows have attracted large audiences, even exceeding traditional radio listening rates in some cases. The addition of Golden Bell Awards will further enhance public awareness and interest in Podcasts, potentially attracting more people to participate in listening and production.
- Improving Production Standards
Golden Bell Awards have relatively strict requirements for participating shows, including regular updates and a certain number of episodes. This requirement prompts production teams to improve content quality and professionalism, thereby raising overall industry production standards.
- Encouraging Innovation and Experimentation
With the development of Podcast platforms, creators have more space for experimentation and innovation. The establishment of Golden Bell Awards will inspire creators to try new content forms and themes, making the entire media environment more vibrant and creative.
In summary, the 2024 Golden Bell Awards' inclusion of Podcasts is not only an important affirmation of this media form but also lays the foundation for the future development of Taiwan's audio content.
2024 Golden Bell Awards Podcast Nominees and Winners List
Lifestyle Program Award
Lifestyle programs refer to programs that provide life information, popular news, health and entertainment, and other diverse, comprehensive content.
Winner:
Nominees:
Arts and Culture Program Award
Arts and culture programs refer to programs that spread and enhance appreciation and performance of art and culture.
Winner:
- Give Me the Time of a Story
Nominees:
- INTERCOmパイ
- Be Good, Listen to the Painting
- Time's Daughter: Gossip History
- Give Me the Time of a Story
- Mr. Jia's Free Information Office
Children's Program Award
Children's programs refer to programs produced for children under twelve years old.
Winner:
Nominees:
- FUN Planet Merit Sea
- You You's Biological World
- Cool Aunties Alliance
- Detective Pig's Mystery Story Collection
- Mama Olilanren's Stories
Youth Program Award
Youth programs refer to programs produced for youths aged twelve to under eighteen.
Winner:
- It's You! Pine Pine
Nominees:
- Special Youth Species
- Mu Mu Little Monkey Chat Room
- Science Come Out to Talk
- It's You! Pine Pine
Podcast Show Recommendations: Apple Podcasts Charts
In the Podcast world, shows that consistently rank at the top of charts often have a solid fan base and continuously deliver quality content. These shows attract listeners not only through their content but also through the personal charisma of hosts and innovative show formats. The following recommends Taiwan's most visible Apple Podcasts year-end charts to provide listeners with references when searching for shows.
2024 Apple Podcasts Charts
Top Shows
- "Bailingguo News"
- "Gooaye Stock Cancer"
- "Tang Yang's Bar"
- "Miss Haowei Untying I Return You to Original Form"
- "Once Upon a Time"
- "Aga 543"
- "Wageki"
- "Wu Tanru Life Practical Business School"
- "What to Read Next?"
- "Adults' Small Talk"
Top New Shows
- "Peggy Fo Show"
- "Zhou Mujie's Ease of Mind"
- "Navigator's Wealthy Learning"
- "Little Hot NOW"
- "Wowsai Mind Reading Books"
- "Wei Min Also Has an Appointment"
- "Future Family Podcast"
- "Diary from Afar"
- "Doctor's Ghost Stories"
- "【Xu Bo Jian Zhi】Simply Speaking Zhi"
Most Followed Shows
- "Thinking Leverage"
- "Escape Do Style Circle"
- "Bailingguo"
- "Stock Cancer"
- "Tang Yang's Bar"
- "You Tinghao's Financial Hao Corner"
- "What to Read Next"
- "Library Where You Can Only Drink"
- "Once Upon a Time"
- "Miss Haowei Untying I Return You to Original Form"
Most Shared Shows
- "Gooaye Stock Cancer"
- "Once Upon a Time"
- "Detective Pig's Mystery Story Collection"
- "Thinking Leverage"
- "Zhao Hua and Stock Boys"
- "Adults' Small Talk"
- "You Tinghao's Financial Hao Corner"
- "Wu Tanru Life Practical Business School"
- "Miss Haowei Untying I Return You to Original Form"
- "What to Read Next"
Top Subscription Shows
- "YOASOBI'S OTSUMAMI Radio"
- "Zhao Hua and Agri - Whatever You Ask"
- "Tell Stories Together"
- Zhao Hua and Agri - Whatever You Ask: "Zhao Hua and Agri - VIP Subscription Zone"
- Tell Stories Together: "Qiang Qiang's Adventures"
- "The Story of Classical"
- "Kids Learn Investment"
- "GK Dad's Original Story Picture Books"
- "Fairy Tale Transparent Nakajima"
- Fairy Tale Transparent Nakajima: "Sky Club Exclusive Shows"
Top Channels
- "CommonWealth Magazine" channel with 6 shows, such as "Breaking Through the World"
- "98 News Station" channel with 14 shows, such as "Financial Road to Prosperity"
- "Wowsai Psychology" channel with 3 shows, such as "Wowsai Psychology"
- "ETtoday Podcast" channel with 8 shows
- "Mom Dad Stories" channel with 15 shows, such as "Mom Dad Stories"
- "EBC Television" channel with 7 shows
- "Vincent Book Talk" channel with 1 show
- "TED Audio Collective" channel with 25 shows
- "BCC iLikeRadio" channel with 6 shows, such as "Hey! Where Was I?"
- "Tell Stories Together" channel with 2 shows, such as "Tell Stories Together"
2023 Apple Podcasts Charts
Top Shows
- "Bailingguo News"
- "Gooaye Stock Cancer"
- "Wu Tanru Life Practical Business School"
- "Miss Haowei Untying I Return You to Original Form"
- "Tang Yang's Bar"
- "Wageki"
- "Once Upon a Time"
- "Adults' Small Talk"
- "Boyinn"
- "What to Read Next?"
Top New Shows
- "Escape Do Style Circle"
- "Story Begins"
- "Li Jinglui's Calm Time"
- "Japan Grand Search"
- "Science PD"
- "Cultivate Good Habits"
- "Brother Qiang Tells You Stories"
- "Naughty Uncles"
- "This Is Not Very Cool"
- "Sake Bei Cup \_ Sherry X Bei Ji's Utopia"
Most Followed Shows
- "Bailingguo News"
- "Library Where You Can Only Drink"
- "Current Events English News"
- "What to Read Next?"
- "Adults' Small Talk"
- "Gooaye Stock Cancer"
- "Miss Haowei Untying I Return You to Original Form"
- "Boyinn"
- "Once Upon a Time"
- "Tang Yang's Bar"
Most Shared Shows
- "Gooaye Stock Cancer"
- "Adults' Small Talk"
- "Once Upon a Time"
- "What to Read Next?"
- "Wu Tanru Life Practical Business School"
- "Library Where You Can Only Drink"
- "Current Events English News"
- "Miss Haowei Untying I Return You to Original Form"
- "Tang Yang's Bar"
- "Psychology Knocking on the Door"
Top Free Channels
- "Bailingguo" channel with 4 shows
- "CommonWealth Magazine" channel with 6 shows, such as "Breaking Through the World"
- "ETtoday Podcast" channel with 8 shows
- "Vincent Book Talk" channel with 1 show
- "EBC Television" channel with 7 shows
- "FMTaiwan Podcast Production and Advertising Agency" channel with 11 shows
- "Mirror Voice" channel with 17 shows
- "BCC iLikeRadio" channel with 5 shows
- "Plain Law Movement" channel with 4 shows
- "Parenting World" channel with 7 shows, such as "Flipping Education Podcast"
Top Subscription Channels
- "98 News Station"
- "Mom Dad Stories"
- "Min-Di's Selection"
- "All Ears English"
- "Tell Stories Together"
- "BBC Podcasts"
- "GK Dad's Original Story Picture Books"
- "Zhou Mujie Reads Crime Scripts【Subscription Only】"
- "TED Audio Collective"
- "Ten Minutes on the Way to Work"
Want to run a subscription service? Firstory is Taiwan's only Podcast platform offering subscription services!
Podcast Show Recommendations: KKBOX Podcast Rankings
KKBOX Podcast Rankings is Taiwan's first award ceremony specifically for Podcasts, held from 2021, with a total of two editions by 2022. This event aims to recognize outstanding Podcast shows and hosts on the KKBOX platform and promote the development of the Podcast industry.
KKBOX Podcast Rankings has two types of awards, including "Annual Top Podcasts" (top ten) and "Annual Top 100" based on listening data rankings, as well as three awards decided by voting from all Podcast creators: "Best Show of the Year", "Best Host of the Year", and "Best New Show of the Year".
2022 2nd KKBOX Podcast Rankings
Annual Top Podcasts
- Gooaye Stock Cancer
- Wageki
- Chicken Fast Food
- Miss Haowei Untying I Return You to Original Form
- Mom Dad Stories
- Once Upon a Time
- Tang Yang's Bar
- Taiwan Commute First Brand
- Bailingguo News
- Wu Tanru Life Practical Business School
Best Show of the Year
- Time's Daughter: Gossip History
Best Host of the Year
- Eddie & Nana (Fairy Tales Are All Lies)
Best New Show of the Year
- Time's Daughter: Gossip History
2021 1st KKBOX Podcast Rankings
Annual Top Podcasts
- Bailingguo News
- Gooaye Stock Cancer
- Taiwan Commute First Brand
- Listening to the World: CommonWealth Magazine Podcast
- Miss Haowei Untying I Return You to Original Form
- Tang Yang's Bar
- Sisters Talk Talk Show
- What Movies Taught Me
- Commute Learning English
- Wageki
Best Show of the Year
- The Reporter: The Real Story
Best Host of the Year
- Lawyer Li Jingqi (Big Trouble No Trouble)
Best New Show of the Year
- The Reporter: The Real Story
Podcast Show Recommendations: Subscription Shows
In addition to free Podcast shows, more and more creators are launching subscription shows, providing paying listeners with deeper, exclusive content or interactions. Successful subscription shows typically use one or more of the following plan combinations to create win-win benefits for creators and listeners:
- Exclusive: Creators launch member-exclusive shows, episodes, or reserve behind-the-scenes footage, and can also provide member-exclusive newsletters, posts, or interactive groups
- Ad-Free: Subscription members don't have to be bothered by ads
- Early Access: Subscription members can listen to new episodes several days earlier than regular listeners
- Archive: Creators lock early episodes or special series, and if listeners want to listen, they can pay to unlock
- Donation: Creators will thank sponsors by name in episodes or guarantee production of certain content
In Taiwan, most Podcast creators choose to use the Firstory platform to build subscription features because Firstory is Taiwan's only platform providing complete subscription services, including integrated payment systems, member data management, different member tiers, and various subscription plan designs such as exclusive episodes, early listening, ad-free, social interaction, etc.
Want to run a subscription service? Firstory is Asia's only partner with Apple for subscription services!
The following recommends popular subscription shows, giving listeners an additional value-added option beyond free listening.
Investment and Finance
"[US Stock Navigator](https://open.firstory.me/user/stocknavi007)" 1,000+ Subscribers
US Stock Navigator uses three minutes each day to analyze US stock trends and news. Content includes the daily updated "US Stock Navigation Diary" and "US Stock Tactics 2.0 (VIP)" updated every Monday and Thursday, and also provides a LINE group for subscribers to watch the market together. With rich and substantial content, the Podcast topped the charts 90 days after launch.
"[Kids Learn Investment](https://open.firstory.me/user/kidsinvestment)" 500+ Subscribers
Is your investment path incredibly difficult? Don't know where to start, and when you do start, you don't know the direction to work toward? Or making and losing money, ultimately just busy following others' opinions. Let Bu Lu / Kerry / Aiden subvert your investment concepts and break down stock market myths. Together, let's build "business logic" and find the investment method "most suitable for you"!
"[Zhao Hua and Agri - Whatever You Ask](https://open.firstory.me/user/riverfans)" 1,000+ Subscribers
Zhao Hua and Agri, the authentic channel for answering all kinds of financial questions. They research stocks, understand ETFs well, and can handle currency usage and real estate problems. Whatever you ask! Patiently helping everyone gain investment confidence!
Self-Improvement
"[Thinking Leverage](https://firstory.me/wp-admin/post.php?post=9015&action=elementor)" 1,000+ Subscribers
Using relaxed conversations to find the fulcrum of thinking, leverage out a freer life.
"[Commute Learning English](https://open.firstory.me/user/15minstoday)" 500+ Subscribers
Commute Learning English Podcast, using 15 minutes daily, without memorizing words or grammar, immediately start speaking to improve your English! Three major shows available weekly, each within 15 mins. The follow-along unit includes bilingual transcripts. Whether it's one cup of coffee time, commuting or traffic jam, we can help you create a full English learning environment!
"[Escalator Walk Left with Jacky](https://firstory.me/wp-admin/post.php?post=9015&action=elementor)" 100+ Subscribers
Jacky's Podcast is called "Escalator Walk Left" because Taiwan MRT escalators usually stand right, and the left is where everyone can quickly reach their destination, surpassing the crowd. Hope to help everyone with self-growth, leave the comfort zone, and be your best self!
Children and Family
"[GK Dad's Original Story Picture Books](https://open.firstory.me/user/gkpapa)" 500+ Subscribers
GK Dad's original IP characters connect story universes, spanning classic fairy tales, daily development, popular science knowledge, and self-identity. The parenting tool of parents' leisure time is left to GK Dad. A show deeply loved by children, with over 40 million downloads, consecutively selected for two KKBOX Annual Podcast Top 100 Rankings.
"[HELLO! Bunny Tells Music Stories](https://open.firstory.me/user/clu23kah0140d01vnh1fgbk1f)" 100+ Subscribers
'HELLO! Bunny Tells Music Stories' is regularly updated every Tuesday! This channel brings together musical fairy tale stories from 'B'WAY SHOW by BUNNY' and 'BUNNY's Day' musical animation picture books, inviting you to participate in little Bunny's adventure journey together~
"[Fairy Tale Transparent Nakajima](https://open.firstory.me/user/pm1200story)" 100+ Subscribers
Here we have brothers, sisters, and a robot. We adapt classic stories, vividly interpreting plots, leading children into the world of imagination. Before and after stories we discuss and think critically, giving classic fairy tales new perspectives, sharing popular science language, safety education, history and geography, and international knowledge. Relaxing while reducing screen time, deeply instilling core literacy.
Society and Culture
"[Global Connection Morning News|Morning Taiwan Glocal News](https://open.firstory.me/user/morningtaiwan)" 500+ Subscribers
Xiao Lu & Hao'er curate and host, Monday to Friday Taiwan time 8-9 am @ Clubhouse, supplementing current events nutrition, connecting with the world, letting more people care about international affairs!
"[Bowie Tseng's Life Treasure Map](https://open.firstory.me/user/bowielifemap)" 100+ Subscribers
"Bowie Tseng's Life Treasure Map" sets sail every Friday at 17:00! Golden Bell host Bowie Tseng transforms into captain, exploring and treasure hunting in the ocean of life. Through sharing perspectives from over ten years of immersion in mind, body, and spirit, she experiences this world with us anew.
"[Unlock the Earth: Travel, History, Culture](https://open.firstory.me/user/unlocktheearth)" 100+ Subscribers
As believers in multiculturalism, we believe the earth is beautiful because of diversity. In the Unlock the Earth podcast show, we talk about everything happening in any corner of the earth. Click on the show and travel the world with our voices.
True Crime and Strange Tales
"[Sodium Content Too High](https://open.firstory.me/user/stroll)" 100+ Subscribers
A cold humor comprehensive Podcast channel jointly served by "Sodium Content" and "Mystery Sound"~ Social phenomena, urban legends, psychology, trivia..., various popular and unpopular topics researched in depth.
"[Insomnia Bookstore Strange Tales Specialty](https://open.firstory.me/user/insomnia-bookstore)" 100+ Subscribers
This show is performed by one person in a radio drama format, collecting all incredible, bizarre strange tale stories. Selector A Jiao takes you into incredible strange tale stories every weekend, letting supernatural, thriller, terrifying and cold sweat accompany you through every sleepless night.
"[The Dark Forest](https://open.firstory.me/user/darkforestpodcast)" 100+ Subscribers
Society always hopes everyone lives in brightness. But once people's dark side emerges, how does society react? This podcast wants to explore people's dark side through real murder cases and other dark stories. But like a dark forest, among dark branches you can still see light, reminding people that hope exists even in darkness.
Podcast Show Recommendations: Finding Shows by Category
19 Major Categories
Currently, Podcast categories rely on Apple Podcasts' category standards, with 19 main categories. Under each main category are several subcategories. For example, under the "Arts" category are "Books", "Design", "Fashion & Beauty" and other subcategories, totaling over one hundred subcategories. The goal is to make it convenient for listeners to quickly find topics they're interested in.
Creators can select up to several categories for their show (primary and secondary), as well as subcategories for each category (if available). The 19 Podcast categories provided by Apple Podcasts and popular Taiwan shows are as follows:
- Arts: Popular shows like "Hao Voice", "What to Read Next?"
- Business: Popular shows like "Stock Cancer", "Financial Road to Prosperity"
- Comedy: Popular shows like "Bailingguo", "Chongxin Road Section 1"
- Education: Popular shows like "Commute Learning English", "Wowsai Psychology"
- Fiction: Popular shows like "Insomnia Bookstore Strange Tales Specialty", "Story Begins"
- Government: Popular shows like "Judge's Law Room", "Good Understanding of Righteousness"
- History: Popular shows like "History Cures All Worries", "Time's Daughter"
- Health & Fitness: Popular shows like "Mental and Physical Psychiatry on a Difficult Road", "Blue Pigeon's Medical General Knowledge"
- Kids & Family: Popular shows like "Once Upon a Time", "Detective Pig's Mystery Story Collection"
- Leisure: Popular shows like "Eavesdropping on Story Talking Story", "Hello, I'm Homebody Little Red"
- Music
- News: Popular shows like "Plain Law Radio", "Global Connection Morning News"
- Religion & Spirituality
- Science
- Society & Culture: Popular shows like "Zhou Mujie's Ease of Mind", "Miss Haowei Untying I Return You to Original Form"
- Sports
- Technology
- True Crime
- TV & Film: Popular shows like "Korean and Western Dramas I Want Both", "PTS Theme Night SHOW"
How Show Categories Affect Listener Search
Carefully selecting appropriate show categories helps listeners find your show faster. Here are three ways show categories affect listener choices:
- Editorial Picks
Apple Podcasts' editorial team refers to each show's categories to curate information for each market and various cultural moments and events. Therefore, it's recommended that creators ensure categories are up-to-date so shows have a chance to be recommended on the "Browse" page.
- Personalized Recommendations
On Apple Podcasts' "Listen Now" page, listeners can discover personalized recommended new shows based on shows they listen to and related categories. For example, listeners who like "Arts" category shows will see suggested shows in "Design" and "Food", which are subcategories of "Arts".
- Top Charts
Apple Podcasts charts are organized by show category, so a show's category selection determines which charts it will appear on.
A show can appear on charts for each selected category and subcategory, and charts for the most popular categories will be displayed in Apple Podcasts. See Apple Podcasts Charts for details.
Advertiser Section: How to Place Ads in Popular Shows
Firstory is Taiwan's leading Podcast platform, providing advertisers with an excellent channel to collaborate with Podcast shows. Brands can precisely place ads on the most influential shows through Firstory, such as "Mom Dad Stories", "Boyinn", "Financial Road to Prosperity", etc., achieving better exposure effects.
Want to place Podcast ads? Firstory is your best choice!
Creator Section: How to Build Your Own Popular Show
For Podcast creators, Firstory is not only a platform for publishing shows but also a powerful promotion tool. Creators can gain exposure at the beginning of popular shows through Firstory's show promotion plan, quickly increasing show awareness and effectively expanding listener groups, solving the problem of Podcast platforms lacking algorithmic recommendations.
Try Firstory's show promotion plan to let your good voice be exposed with popular shows!
Conclusion
Podcast shows are flourishing, which can be glimpsed from the Golden Bell Awards nominees and winners list, and Apple Podcasts and KKBOX chart rankings. Whether you want to expose your brand or promote your creation, 2024 is the best time to join this trend.
Through Firstory, advertisers can place precise ads in the most popular Podcast shows, directly reaching core audiences and achieving the best marketing effects. For Podcast creators, the powerful promotion tools and resources provided by Firstory can help your show stand out in a competitive market and attract more loyal listeners.
Use Firstory now, whether placing ads or promoting shows, to seize the Podcast business opportunity and move toward success!