Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD
Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD, hosted by Chenjerai Kumanyika, traces the history of the New York Police Department from its roots in slavery through rival police gangs and everyday resistance. The show has 12 episodes in its feed, released roughly weekly, with a median length of about 40 minutes. Estimated downloads per episode are 20,000 to 80,000, with a rate of $360 to $2,000 per episode for a host-read mid-roll.
Long-form history of the NYPD, backed by Wondery, Crooked Media and a 4.5 Apple rating
- Serial episodes around 40 minutes give sponsors a durable, high-attention listening context.
- 442 Apple Podcasts ratings with a 4.5 average signal an engaged, rated audience.
- A Peabody Award-winning host and a network-produced, high-production series support credibility.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- narrative, solo monologue, serial documentary
- Tone
- investigative, reflective
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 35 to 50 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- AudibleCrooked MediaWonderyPushBlack
- Categories promoted
- audiobooks and audio entertainment subscriptions
- Affiliate links
- No
The description says Audible subscribers can listen ad-free and invites listeners to join Audible through the app, and the trailer 'Listen Now: Audible True Crime – Ghost Story' is a cross-promotion.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Episode titles such as 'If It Bleeds It Leads' and 'They've Got Weapons' and the description's focus on police violence and slavery mean violence and political content are present, though the Apple listing does not carry an explicit flag (explicit field is 0).
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 | wondery.com/shows/empire-city/ |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1751330154 |
| RSS feed | rss.art19.com/empire-city |
Benchmark score: 63 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Listen Now: Audible True Crime – Ghost Story | 2026-10-12 | 9 min |
| Listen Now: My Mom’s Murder | 2026-09-28 | 5 min |
| Bonus Episode: The Fall of Eric Adams | 2024-11-01 | 24 min |
| Black History, For Real: NYPD's Secret Story | For Real, For Real | 9 | 2024-10-23 | 42 min |
| Stay Dangerous | 8 | 2024-10-21 | 48 min |
| The American Problem | 7 | 2024-10-14 | 38 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 7 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.
The police tell us they are here to protect us. But what if their original purpose was something else altogether? Peabody Award-winning host Chenjerai Kumanyika takes listeners on a journey to uncover the hidden history of the largest police force in the world – from its roots in slavery, to rival police gangs battling across the city, to everyday people who resisted every step of the way. As our…
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About Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD
Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD is a serial history podcast hosted by Chenjerai Kumanyika, as listed in the show's feed and on the Wondery show page. It examines the New York Police Department's origins, including its roots in slavery, the rival police gangs that competed across the city, and the everyday people who resisted them. The feed lists 12 episodes released roughly weekly, with a median episode length of about 40 minutes.
Apple Podcasts shows 442 ratings with a 4.5 average, which places the show in a mid-sized listener band. Audience size is an estimate rather than a published figure: we estimate 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode, skewing toward adults aged 25 to 44 interested in history and civic affairs. The show is produced by Wondery, Crooked Media and PushBlack, and cross-promotes Audible, which is the only sponsor-type relationship visible in the feed.
At an estimated 20,000 to 80,000 downloads, a host-read mid-roll would cost roughly $360 to $2,000 per episode, based on a rate of $18 to $25 per thousand downloads. The show suits audiobook, audio subscription and educational brands seeking an adult history audience.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD
How much does Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on an estimated 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll is estimated at roughly $360 to $2,000 per episode. These figures are estimates derived from Apple Podcasts ratings and show signals.
What is Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD about?
The show is a serial history podcast by Chenjerai Kumanyika about the origins of the NYPD, covering slavery, rival police gangs and community resistance across New York City.
How do I contact Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80, and boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked.
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