Up First is a News podcast hosted by NPR. NPR's morning news brief in 15 minutes It has 2800 episodes on a daily schedule, averaging 12 minutes per episode, with its first episode in 2017-02-13. It is rated 4.5/5. Known for quick morning news briefing, updated daily before 6 am, multiple stories covered.
Key Facts
| Host | NPR |
|---|---|
| Category | News |
| Episodes | 2800 |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Avg. duration | 12 minutes |
| First episode | 2017-02-13 |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| Last updated | 2026-02-24 |
Overview
NPR's Up First is the news you need to start your day. The biggest stories and ideas — from politics to pop culture — in 10-15 minutes. Updated by 6 a.m. ET every weekday, so you can start your day informed.
Visit Up First →Where to Listen
What Makes It Stand Out
- ✓Quick morning news briefing
- ✓Updated daily before 6 AM
- ✓Multiple stories covered
- ✓NPR journalism quality
- ✓Concise format
Pros
- ✅ Perfect for morning commute
- ✅ Balanced reporting
- ✅ Consistent schedule
Cons
- ❌ Surface-level coverage
- ❌ US-focused
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Up First podcast about?
NPR's Up First is the news you need to start your day. The biggest stories and ideas — from politics to pop culture — in 10-15 minutes. Updated by 6 a.m. ET every weekday, so you can start your day informed.
Who hosts Up First?
Up First is hosted by NPR.
How often does Up First release episodes?
Up First publishes on a daily schedule, with 2800 episodes to date, averaging 12 minutes each.
What are the downsides of Up First?
Some listeners note: Surface-level coverage; US-focused.
What podcasts are similar to Up First?
See our full list of Up First alternatives, with side-by-side details and ratings, on the Up First alternatives page.
Last updated: 2026-02-24