Claim OwnershipPodnews Weekly Review
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The last word in podcasting news.
Every Friday, James Cridland and Sam Sethi review the week's top stories from Podnews; and interview some of the biggest names making the news from across the podcast industry.
Winner, "Best Podcasting Podcast", 2025 Ear Worthy Awards
Support the show at https://weekly.podnews.net - or hit the boost button! Sponsored by Buzzsprout: start podcasting - keep podcasting!
266 Episodes
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We break down TikTok’s podcast network with iHeart, Netflix’s audio push, and whether video is worth the cost, then dig into research on clips, companion podcasts, and the ad shift between radio and on‑demand. Sari Azut joins to show how a screenshot becomes a shareable clip and useful attention data. • TikTok’s entry into podcasting and censorship concerns • iHeart’s finances, radio softness, and podcast growth • E‑commerce links, music discovery, and TikTok Shop • Netflix’s short deals, UI...
(This is an AI description from Buzzsprout's Cohost) We test Netflix’s “video podcast” land grab, then show why Apple’s AI chapters and Timed Links are the practical upgrade creators needed. DAX’s Brian Conlan joins to explain why audio’s problem is ROAS, not downloads, and how better measurement unlocks bigger budgets. • Netflix licensing moves and YouTube exclusivity trade-offs • Why this is cheap TV, not podcasting, and why that matters • Audio vs video consumption and where value really...
We unpack a bold true crime breakthrough: RNZ uses AI to recreate a deceased inmate’s voice with family consent and full disclosure, elevating the investigation without faking facts. We also dive into video on the TV screen, premium RSS, and why co‑host chemistry beats guest fatigue. • Spotify adds video podcasts to Apple TV • YouTube AI upscales low‑res video and adds QR shopping • RNZ’s NARC uses 11Labs with ethics review and consent • Why AI voice can be more transparent than actors • Fou...
We track Edison Research’s sale to SSRS, Spotify’s TV distribution push, and whether video truly grows podcast audiences. We debate Oxford Road’s new ad-performance ranker, membership models that creators can own, and the messy state of podcast standards. • SSRS acquires Edison Research and keeps the team • Edison’s people-based ranker shows stable top shows and fast risers • Spotify expands via Samsung TV Plus and Netflix distribution • Netflix’s background audio and auto limitations challe...
We break down the Netflix–Spotify pact to move select video podcasts off YouTube, weigh the real winners, and ask whether exclusivity helps or harms creators. We also challenge Apple’s ad‑free push, share data on when people actually listen, and explore practical tools that make podcasts easier to find and love. We'd have had ChadF on this week for an interview, but technology let us down. Sorry. • Why Netflix and Spotify align on video podcasts • What leaving YouTube means for Ringer fans ...
Flightcast’s Rox Codes joins us to unpack a video-first hosting and growth platform built for YouTube, Spotify, and serious creators, while we challenge inflated web “browser” downloads, pricing resets, and what actually counts as a podcast in a $3B market. We weigh useful AI assistants against synthetic co-hosts, and map the road to practical standards like HLS and Podcasting 2.0. • livewire host-share data showing consolidation and heritage brands sliding • price rises at major hosts and h...
We break down AI-generated podcast “slop,” Spotify’s leadership shift, and why attention—not downloads—should be the metric brands care about. Fresh Air’s Neil Cowling joins us to explain how branded podcasts create real value, and where video fits in. • reactions to Jeanine Wright's interview and AI content quality • risk to advertisers from bots and low retention • International Podcast Day and the case for open RSS • Spotify’s co‑CEOs move and DDEX‑based AI disclosures • YouTube AI featur...
AI is transforming the podcast industry, raising questions about disclosure, quality standards, and audience preferences as companies like Inception Point AI create thousands of AI-generated episodes weekly. • Jeanine Wright from Inception Point AI reveals they produce 3,000 episodes weekly with just eight staff members • Discussion of AI disclosure standards and whether the "person tag" or "disclosure tag" adequately addresses advertiser concerns • Corporate censorship considerations for po...
AI-generated content is rapidly flooding the podcast ecosystem, creating tension between innovation and quality standards across the audio landscape. Companies like Inception Point AI are generating thousands of low-quality episodes despite criticism, while YouTube introduces new features that could either revolutionize monetization or exacerbate content pollution problems. • AI content companies defending their output as "art" despite widespread criticism from industry experts • YouTube ann...
We remember podcasting pioneer Todd Cochran who passed away suddenly this week, reflecting on his 19-year journey in the industry and the indelible mark he left on the medium. • Todd's journey began in 2004 with a $14.95 Walmart microphone, creating his first podcast in a hotel room in Waco, Texas • An excerpt from our 2023 interview with Todd shares his podcasting origin story and philosophy • Apple Podcasts appears to be preparing support for Podcasting 2.0 JSON chapters, potentially...
Jakarta sets the stage for an exploration of Asia's unique podcast landscape, where innovative approaches to monetization and content distribution reflect the region's diverse markets and consumer behaviors. • Ron Baetiong from Podcast Network Asia leverages Spotify's Open Access with local payment systems like GCash for their audio drama platform • Japanese podcast consumption differs significantly from Western markets, with YouTube as the top platform for podcast listening • BBC announces ...
Alex Sanfilippo shares how PodMatch is revolutionizing podcast guest booking through an innovative platform that functions like a dating app for interviews. He explains the platform's unique business model and why he believes community building is the future of podcasting. • PodMatch connects podcast hosts and guests while automating administrative functions • The platform charges a small fee to ensure users are serious, creating a "law of buy-in" • Through the Pod Value Initiative, PodMatch...
James and Sam examine Spotify's new direct messaging feature for sharing podcast recommendations and how it might impact content discovery. • Spotify releases data showing Gen Z students increase podcast listening at breakfast time when returning to school • Science, business, and technology podcasts see significant growth among younger listeners • Captivate announces Studio feature integrating remote recording capabilities directly into their hosting platform • Apple partners with Tun...
This audio has been rescued from almost inaudible audio thanks to recording using the wrong microphone - this was just on a laptop microphone carried around a loud conference. Good job that Buzzsprout has a tool called Power Clean that fixed much of that for us. We also speak with Oskar Serrander about Wondercraft's new tool, Wonda. Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Sup...
James and Sam are away this week, so time for an interview in more detail than we normally would. Norma-Jean Belenky discusses her new podcast PodBiz, which explores the various ways podcasters monetize their content through transparent conversations with industry professionals. • PodBiz aims to answer the question "where's the money in podcasting?" through interviews with experts in advertising, subscriptions, and alternative revenue models • Some independent creators with just 1,200 downlo...
Amazon's restructuring of Wondery signals deeper issues with their podcast strategy as they distribute operations across Audible, creator services, and advertising divisions while losing approximately 110 jobs in the process. • Amazon's track record with podcast acquisitions has been underwhelming, including Art19's low market share and unfulfilled promises for high-profile shows • Dan Granger from Oxford Road suggests the reorganization represents a recalibration toward more integrated audi...
James Cridland and Sam Sethi explore Spotify's mixed financial results showing strong overall growth but declining ad revenue, alongside their increasing focus on video podcasts at the expense of audio-only content. • Spotify's ads business struggling despite growth in users and profit • VP of Global Advertising Lee Brown leaving Spotify "by mutual agreement" • Video consumption growing 20 times faster than audio-only on Spotify • 16:9 image formats creating problems for traditional podcast ...
The old guard of media gatekeepers are trying to stay relevant as independent creators flourish across podcasting, video, and beyond. • Spanish broadcaster RTVE blocking Antennapod and other podcast apps while maintaining deals with commercial giants like Apple and Spotify • BBC Sounds closing for non-UK audiences due to music licensing issues • Diary of a CEO reaching 3 million people daily, surpassing major US late-night TV shows • Video podcasts becoming the new basic cable television, wi...
We have interviews with James Burtt from the newly-launched Pivot Productions; Liam Heffernan from Mercury Podcast Network who has just announced a new partnership with the Student Radio Association; and founder & CEO Will Malnati of At Will Media on taking IP from podcasts into other platforms. Plus - weekly podcast listening in the US has reached a staggering 773 million hours according to new data from Edison Research. This robust metric provides a more meaningful measurement than per...
Interviews with the Golden Lobes, Adelicious, and the Podcast Standards Project - all in the chapters! Plus: • NPR adding support for the funding tag across all its shows, enabling direct audience support • Updates to podcast linking services with Nathan Gathright regaining control of Podlink from Spotify • The inaugural Golden Lobes awards celebrating the funniest people, podcasts, and moments in the industry • Cheerful Earful festival expanding globally to New York, London, and Melbourne • ...
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