True crime podcaster John Allen, known professionally as MrBallen, is moving his flagship show and network from Wondery to SiriusXM. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the multiyear agreement grants SiriusXM exclusive advertising sales rights to “The MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious” on audio platforms and his YouTube channel, which has 10.5 million subscribers.

The partnership includes acquisition rights to the entire MrBallen network and development of new programming. Allen’s podcast currently ranks 11th among the most popular in the U.S., according to Edison Research.

“I am thrilled and honored to be part of the SiriusXM family,” Allen said in a statement. “Working with the incredible team at SiriusXM will allow me to take that dream to the next level.”

The move follows SiriusXM’s recent high-profile podcast acquisitions, including a $125 million deal with Alex Cooper for “Call Her Daddy” and a $100 million agreement for “SmartLess.” With MrBallen’s addition, SiriusXM now holds deals with nine of the top 20 podcasts in the U.S.

Wondery Restructuring Impact

Allen’s departure from Wondery coincides with major restructuring at the Amazon-owned podcast network. Amazon recently announced a reorganization of Wondery, dividing operations between Audible for narrative shows and a new “creator services” team for personality-driven content. The restructuring resulted in approximately 110 job cuts.

Allen had previously signed a three-year, first-look deal with Amazon in 2022. His exit follows other high-profile departures from Wondery, including the “Morbid” podcast, which also moved to SiriusXM in July 2025.

Consumption Patterns

According to Edison Research, an estimated 158 million Americans listened to podcasts monthly in 2025, with 48% of U.S. audiences both listening to and watching podcast content. SiriusXM’s acquisitions reflect this trend toward video integration. The MrBallen deal specifically includes rights to his YouTube presence, aligning with the industry’s video-forward direction.

New episodes of “The MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories” will be available on the SiriusXM app and other podcast platforms starting November 1. SiriusXM Podcasts+ subscribers will receive early access to content.

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