Background Briefing with Ian Masters
Background Briefing, hosted by Ian Masters, is a daily news analysis program covering national security, foreign and domestic policy, politics and social issues through expert guests and critics. The show has 500 episodes in its feed, publishes daily, and episodes run about 63 minutes. Estimated downloads are 5,000 to 25,000 per episode (estimated), with a rate of roughly $120 to $630 per episode.
Daily long-form news analysis with a loyal, highly rated public radio audience
- Apple Podcasts rating of 4.7 from 622 ratings, with 536 five-star reviews
- Daily episodes of about 63 minutes across 500 episodes
- Expert guests on national security, foreign policy and domestic politics
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- interview, panel discussion, news analysis
- Tone
- serious, analytical
- Language
- English
- Production
- Clean, edited audio
- Typical length
- 60 to 65 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- None yet
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- Yes
Funding link to backgroundbriefing.org/donate in the description indicates listener donations rather than sponsorship.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Recent episode descriptions cover war, sanctions and election spending in strongly partisan terms, so political sensitivity is high.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | backgroundbriefing.org |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id886953283 |
| RSS feed | feeds.feedburner.com/ianmasters/feed |
Benchmark score: 42 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| October 15, 2026 - Robert Pape | Sarah Leah Whitson | Santiago Mayer | 2026-10-15 | 1 h 8 min |
| October 14th, 2026 - Natalie Melnyczuk | Benn Steil | Julie Ingersoll | 2026-10-14 | 1 h 3 min |
| October 13, 2026 - Tamar Jacoby | Sharon Weinberger | Dr. Sumit Gangul | 2026-10-13 | 1 h 2 min |
| October 12, 2026 - Lincoln Mitchell | Susan Neiman | Carissa Véliz | 2026-10-12 | 1 h 11 min |
| October 11, 2026 - Norman Ornstein | Suzanne Schneider | Harold Meyers | 2026-10-11 | 1 h 1 min |
| October 8, 2026 - Dr. Vincent Greenwood | JS Tan & Clarissa Redwine | 2026-10-08 | 1 h 3 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 4 days ago, a new one about every 1 days.
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, expert guests, policymakers, and critics offering analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural, and social issues. backgroundbriefing.org/donate…
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About Background Briefing with Ian Masters
Background Briefing is a daily news analysis program hosted by Ian Masters, with 500 episodes in its feed and a daily publishing cadence. Episodes run about 63 minutes and cover national security, foreign and domestic policy, politics and social issues. Per the show's website, it describes itself as an alternative to the commercial media and aims to inform listeners through expert analysis.
Apple Podcasts lists the show with a 4.7 average from 622 ratings. The show's audience is estimated, not published: roughly 5,000 to 25,000 downloads per episode, mostly from the United States. These figures are estimates based on ratings and cadence.
No sponsors are visible in the feed or on the website; support is funded through listener donations. At an estimated 5,000 to 25,000 downloads, a host-read mid-roll would cost roughly $120 to $630 per episode, suited to brands seeking news-focused, politically engaged listeners.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Background Briefing with Ian Masters can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Background Briefing with Ian Masters
How much does Background Briefing charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Estimated at about $120 to $630 per episode for a host-read mid-roll, based on an estimated 5,000 to 25,000 downloads per episode. Final pricing depends on the agreed placement and terms.
What is Background Briefing about?
Background Briefing is a daily news analysis program hosted by Ian Masters. It covers national security, foreign and domestic policy, politics and social issues through expert guests.
How do I contact Background Briefing about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can also be booked through Starbooked.
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