Podnews Weekly Review
A weekly podcast reviewing the biggest news stories from the podcasting industry. James Cridland and Sam Sethi discuss the latest developments, trends, and notable figures making headlines, and interview key people from the podcast world. It has been named Best Podcasting Podcast at the 2025 Ear Worthy Awards. The show is supported by listeners and sponsored by Buzzsprout.
Episodes
From Podcast Movement NYC, 2026
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailThere's a really good reason why this show is just one minute thirty seconds long. Listen to find out!We'll catch you next week. And Happy Birthday, Sam SethiSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
Everywhere Launches A New Way To Monetise Creators
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe talk with the founders of Everywhere about building a sales and monetisation layer for creators whose audiences now span podcasts, YouTube, social, and live. We also scan the week’s podcast industry moves, from AI production tools and shifting download trends to Apple updates, app features, awards, and upcoming events. • Why Everywhere forms and what it
Why Acast Bought Backyard Ventures And What Changes Next
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailJames is in Jakarta - Sam is in the UK. Below, what's in the show (courtesy of Buzzsprout's AI feature); we use chapters to let you skip to wherever you want.We talk with Acast CEO Greg Glenday and Backyard Ventures CEO Matt Cisneros about why the acquisition is about culture and building faster, not just inventory, and how Acast plans to stay foc
When Algorithms Pull The Plug On Creators - the YouTube Faustian Pact
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailJames and Sam look into this week's podcasting news, including the show pulled by YouTube.• YouTube removing a top podcast with no warning, then reinstating it • The risk of building a show on third-party platforms and automated enforcement • Why we think a podcast needs an RSS feed to be a podcast • YouTube reportedly paying creators to avoid Netflix
What Spotify And YouTube Changes Mean For Podcast Revenue
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailJames is joined this week by Liam Heffernan from Mercury Podcasts, while Sam gets wet walking around Ireland.We weigh how platform decisions around ads, metrics, and video can quietly reshape podcast monetization, especially for smaller independent creators. We also zoom out to what these changes mean for trust in reporting, discoverability, and the future
RSS launches video podcasts that pay; and Acast buys Backyard Ventures
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe speak with Ben and Alberto from RSS.com on their new video podcast plan. Plus, Acast is buying Backyard Ventures: why?• RSS.com MAX plan for Apple HLS video and 70% revenue share • PAID meaning programmatic ads inserted dynamically • Interstitial ad markers on Apple versus baked ads for other apps • Alternate enclosure as a Podcasting 2.0 path to keep RS
Spotify add a "Skip Ahead" button, and recognise women podcasters
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe talk with Spotify’s first Equal Podcast Ambassador, Morgan Absher, about building Two Hot Takes into a video-first community and what real industry support for women creators should look like. Then we dig into Spotify’s financials and a controversial “Skip Ahead” test that could change how podcast ads are heard, measured, and trusted; and learn more abou
EarMax Media, Cheerful Earful, and the alternateEnclosure continues to grow
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe chat with Andy Maxwell from EarMax Media about the new podcast-first ad agency, and Giles Gear from Cheerful Earful about the funniest podcast festival in the world.Also: we challenge the idea that creators are being “ripped off” and dig into what actually drives revenue in podcasting: sales, relevance, and trust. We also pull apart the AMP Accords, Appl
The AMP Accords - a new era for podcast measurement?
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe speak with Dan Granger and Giles Martin from Oxford Road, about the new AMP Accords. Is this a new start for podcast measurement? And, can we get podcast apps into the revenue ecosystem? Plus, Edison Research on their recent reports.Also hear:• why downloads fail as a reliable metric for advertisers and creators• the AMP Accord goal of standard definitio
Podcast Movement NYC; and ten years of Podmasters
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailThis week, James and Sam talk with Bryan Barletta of Podcast Movement, and Martin Bojtos of Podmasters.Plus, we look at the week's podcasting news, including:• Podcast Movement’s New York Audio Week plan, five-day structure and $199 creator ticket strategy• Public session voting balanced by a selection committee to avoid a popularity contest• Sounds Pr
Overcast’s Surge, Apple Podcasts’s Slide, And The Next Wave Of Podcast Tech
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailSam's back - he talks with Ryan Williams about enhanced metadata for podcasting. Buzzsprout's AI also tells us that: We dig into the stories behind this week’s podcasting numbers, from Overcast’s sudden rise to the growing sense that Apple Podcasts is no longer the default starting point for new listeners. We also go deep on interactive transcript
with Elsie Escobar - the tools podcasters need to succeed
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe're co-hosted by Elsie Escobar today, while Sam is away. Here's more about Elsie:* The E League Mentorship: https://elsie.link/eleague-podnews * Multimodalee https://elsie.link/mm-podnews * The Slight Spiral Dispatch: https://elsie.link/ssd-podnewsToday, we cover monetization workflows, the real trade-offs of video, and why captions and human tr
How podcast advertisers know more about you; and Dolby Atmos comes for podcasting
Send James and Sam a message or voicemail(This uses Buzzsprout's CoHost AI summary. Buzzsprout is our sponsor.)We question whether Netflix can make podcasts work without chasing YouTube’s time-spent game, and we map where premium video fits in a world built on niche audio. We also dig into ad overload, new measurement fights, identity-driven targeting, and why immersive formats like Dolby Atm
Metrics, Measurement and Money - for indie podcasters and not-for-profits
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailLosh Moodaley's article: https://podnews.net/article/beyond-the-cpm-podcast-advertising We test whether a 30-second threshold actually changes podcast stats, then pull apart why the definition of a “play” gets slippery once streaming, caching, and platform politics enter the mix. We also challenge the idea that better measurement automatically leads to
Locked On Podcast Network turns 10, and do podcast listeners skip the ads?
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe discover how the Locked On Podcast Network got going, and dive into more details about the new YouGov report showing how listeners consume podcast ads. Plus, plenty more.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews
Captivate's monetisation in the US; and the BBC gets more involved in Crossed Wires
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailSam and James chat with Brian Conlan and Mark Asquith about Captivate and DAX US working together to monetize more podcasts; and to Dino Sofos about this year's Crossed Wires festival in Sheffield.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/153877
Spotify's new features; and why did BIPOC Podcast Creators close?
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe pick apart Spotify’s investor-day announcements and ask what its AI-first roadmap means for podcast creators, monetisation, and trust. We also talk to the co-founders of BIPOC Podcast Creators about why the community is closing and what the industry loses when creator support dries up. • Spotify’s “time well spent” metric and what it tries to reframe • T
Live from London, at The Podcast Show 2026
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe chat with Rox Codes from Flightcast, talk about the 'cavalcade of crap' from AI, and spill all the tea on a successful show.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
Amazon Music adds video - and the secrets of a succesful indie podcast
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailAmazon Music joins the video podcast race with HLS and RSS alternate enclosure support. Yay!Plus, we speak with PodVision about their successful indie show; and the developer of the UpNext app.• Amazon Music video podcasts rollout in the US and what “open RSS” support really implies • Apple’s private API versus alternate enclosure and the moderation and ad
Three podcast hosts launch Apple Podcasts video; plus, The Podcast Show and Fountain's music via RSS
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailApple Podcasts video moves from theory to real-world distribution, and we pressure-test what HLS streaming changes for pricing, analytics, approvals, and the open RSS ecosystem. We also weigh platform convenience against creator freedom, from Spotify’s video lock-in warnings to a vision for open music distribution and premium RSS. • Buzzsprout’s Apple Podca
Fixing podcasting’s AI slop and spam problem: Alberto Betella from RSS.com
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailAre we sinking under a sea of AI slop? How do we fix it? Sam talks with Alberto Betella to find out.• iHeartMedia and SiriusXM merger chatter and what it could mean for shareholders • Directory spam stats including AI slopcasts and SEO bait shows • Where responsibility sits across podcast hosts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the Podcast Index • Alberto Batell
How to get your podcast promoted in Spotify. Plus - Neil from Headliner
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailSpotify’s editorial lead explains how promotion works when there is no submission form and why retention plus clarity beat cleverness. We also debate video’s role in discovery, dig into new metrics and business moves across YouTube, Netflix, and Acast, and share listener questions, boosts, and platform updates.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@
New podcasts from AI now outnumber new podcasts from humans
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailAI is now publishing podcasts at a pace that can outstrip humans, and we feel the knock-on effects in discovery, trust, and monetisation. We trace how copycats and AI slop farms exploit platform incentives, then map the few practical levers creators and companies can pull right now.• more AI-generated podcast launches than human launches on some days, and w
Patreon pays more to podcasts; Bryan Barletta on Podcast Movement NYC
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe track the money moving into paid podcast subscriptions as Patreon reports record creator earnings, then follow the ripple effects across platforms, hosting, and video. Along the way we get the inside story on Podcast Movement New York City, plus the new tools and trends reshaping discovery, analytics, and audience feedback.• Patreon’s $629M podcaster ear
Free transcripts! Plus, Beehiiv gets podcast hosting, and Brkthru's measurement of podcast ads
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailPlease visit podnews.net/reportcard and fill out the questionnaire!We get into the real fight over podcast transcripts: where they should live, how they should be formatted, and why “one transcript everywhere” beats a pile of app-only versions. Then we zoom out to the bigger platform shift: all-in-one creator stacks, new monetisation options, Spotify’s late
Apple Podcasts new video, and AI in podcasting from Snipd and Podhome
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWhy does James sound so different in the intro? Because he's standing in Hong Kong airport waiting to get onto an aeroplane, that's why.This week: Spotify quietly trims its podcast team while Apple pushes HLS video into Apple Podcasts, forcing hosts and creators to rethink what “open” distribution means. We also dig into transcripts as a baseline
Why Reveal is bigger than ever; and exploring your podtential
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailApple’s push for HLS video in Apple Podcasts sparks a hard look at hosting costs, creator economics, and what “video podcasting” will really mean once pricing lands. We also dig into a major investigative show’s comeback story and the growing wave of tools aimed at helping independent podcasters grow without giving up ownership.• Apple Podcasts HLS video pa
Steve Ackerman's next move; Adobe's new tools; and new Infinite Dial numbers
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe break down the newest podcast industry data and the platform moves that are quietly reshaping how people watch and listen. We debate what success should mean when YouTube leads listening time, Apple moves video to HLS, and creators still get judged on downloads. • Infinite Dial numbers on in-car audio and monthly and weekly podcast reach • Share of ear s
Triton Digital's Sharon Taylor, on what Apple Podcasts HLS Video Really Changes
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailApple’s HLS video support, Triton’s roadmap, and the real cost of video collide with questions about measurement, privacy, and control. We chat with Sharon Taylor from Triton Digital.And, with Kattie Laur, we also explore Canada’s podcast identity, the CBC effect, and why discovery and funding—not mandates—unlock local growth.• Why Triton added video withou
Apple Podcasts video tech details; plus Supercast acquired - we speak to its CEO
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe break down Apple’s video podcast rollout, why HLS matters for reliability, and what ad skipping really looks like. Then Supercast’s CEO shares how subscriptions scale, followed by a compelling case for narrative audio over flat studio video.• HLS architecture with separate audio rendition and why the mix must be broadcast‑ready• What Apple will and won’t
Apple Podcasts Video - HLS, ads, and podcaster control
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailApple turns on HLS video in Apple Podcasts and rewrites the business rules while keeping files with hosts. We unpack the listener experience, creator workflows, dynamic ads, costs, open standards, and what Spotify and YouTube might do next, with insights from Justin Jackson.• HLS explained and why it matters for control• What listeners get on iOS and when i
YouTube’s Real Numbers, Spotify’s Strategy, And Nigeria’s Podcast Boom
Send James and Sam a message or voicemail(This audio contains a fix for part of Tony's audio)(These show notes are using Buzzsprout's CoHost tool. Buzzsprout are our sponsor and very good at podcast hosting and all that.)We dig into YouTube’s rare revenue reveal, Spotify’s mixed ad picture, and why premium is rising fast. Tony Doe joins live from Lagos to unpack Nigeria’s podcast boom an
Mercury Podcast Network: plus, too many ads, and what YouTube is doing about AI slop
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailSam and James talk with Liam Heffernan of Mercury; and cover all the latest news of the week.• Sony’s AI character podcasts and voice licensing risks• Video discovery leading to audio loyalty and why it matters• IAB’s AI scraping proposal and good bot vs bad bot• Apple’s downloads for transcripts and chapters and host costs• Voice Regen vs Auphonic and Buzz
Wondercraft's AI video generation; plus, behind Truefans funding
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe dig into Goalhanger’s funding, Wondercraft’s AI video workflows, music on open RSS with sats, TrueFans’ metrics-first hosting, and the growing gap between downloads and watch time.• Goalhanger’s community growth strategy with TCG investment• Shift from ad revenue to events, merch and TV formats• Community portals vs YouTube and Spotify constraints• Wonde
Are subscriptions outpacing ads? And an exclusive
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailSam has big news. Plus... (this description uses Buzzsprout's AI tool):We unpack the money and mechanics behind paid memberships, how platforms are reshaping podcast reach, and why quality and openness still matter. From Podfest honours to car dashboard wars, we map the shifting ground and share what creators should do next.• Goalhanger’s subscription
iHeartRadio's open RSS bet on video, and Spotify's changes
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailNormally it's a nice quiet start to the year, but not this year! Sam and James look at the news we've already had so far this year. So much news, no tech stuff this week - that returns next week, along with your hosts being properly dressed.• iHeartRadio adds OpenRSS video and alternate enclosures• Netflix exclusivity versus open distribution trad
Podcast Predictions For 2026 - AI slop, video and more
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe share five predictions each for 2026, from defining what a podcast is to why time spent listening will replace reach as the industry’s favorite metric. We weigh video’s upside against its risks for audio, call out AI slop, and back open RSS as the backbone of growth.We're back next week with our usual show.Please support us at weekly.podnews.net and
Our review of 2025 - our predictions, highlights and lowlights
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailJames and Sam look back on our predictions for what 2025 would be like - and whether we got them right. Plus, our lowlights and highlights of the year.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
2025's highlights, 2026 predictions from Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWhat happens when Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, Acast, Adobe, Pocket Casts, Triton, Bumper, Transistor, creators, and analysts all compare notes on where podcasting just landed—and where it’s headed next? You get a clear picture of a medium that’s fully mainstream, proudly hybrid, and fiercely contested. We gathered 25+ voices to unpack 2025’s biggest sh
Better podcast analytics with PodAnalyst, plus TikTok doesn't launch a podcast
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe track the biggest forces shaping podcasting next year: Goalhanger’s network effect, a pivot to listener-based analytics, and the tension between open RSS and closed “podcast” branding from big platforms. We dig into video hosting defaults, live streaming, and why honest metrics will decide winners.(It's a re-upload! With the intro.)• Apple’s Show of
How A Daily News Podcast Hit 2,000 Episodes And What Recap Season Really Means For Podcasters
Send James and Sam a message or voicemail(This is made with AI from our sponsor, Buzzsprout)We break down the Recap Apocalypse across Spotify, YouTube, Apple, and Amazon, then dig into craft with Brad Mielke on how Start Here reached 2,000 episodes by prioritising clarity, titles that pull, and audio-first production. Data meets discipline and the result is steady growth without burnout.• Spotify’
Why A Podcast Play Isn’t Enough And What To Track Instead
Send James and Sam a message or voicemail(This description is produced by our sponsor Buzzsprout's CoHost AI tool).We cut through the download delusion and show how people, playback, and time spent reveal true growth. Dan Misener explains loyalty metrics, we test platform tactics, and we share simple ways to turn spikes into steady listeners.• people numbers, playback intent, and time spent a
Inside Riverside Hosting and RSS.com’s Free Podcast Hosting
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
Sari Azout from Podcast Magic, TikTok and Netflix’s Audio Bet, And The Real Value Of Video
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe 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•
Apple Adds AI Chapters And Timed Links; and an interview with DAX US
Send James and Sam a message or voicemail(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 YouT
Using AI to give voice to the dead; and Spotify adds video to, um, TV
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe 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 vide
You Can’t Milk A Cow And Expect Yogurt, But You Can Sell Washable Sofas
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe 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
Spotflix - is the Spotify/Netflix deal a gamechanger for podcasting?
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe 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 i
The video-first shakeup of podcast hosting, analytics, and AI with Flightcast’s Roxcodes
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailFlightcast’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 lik
Fresh Air's branded podcasts; and Spotify looks to disclose AI use
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe 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 lo
What's the deal with Inception Point AI? Plus, Ireland, and AudioAlways
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailAI 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
Greg Glenday Reveals How Acast is Betting on Creator-First Podcasting
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailAI-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 po
Remembering Todd Cochrane; and Apple testing new chapters?
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe 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 hi
Podcasting in Asia; plus Podhome's new podcast app
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailJakarta 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 plat
Full interview: Alex Sanfilippo, from PodMatch
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailAlex 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 func
PodMatch, and data about YouTube and Spotify consumption
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailJames 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 • Capti
From Podcast Movement, Dallas TX - and the Wonda of Wondercraft
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailThis 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.Support the showConne
From Ads to Subscriptions: How Today's Podcasts Actually Make Money
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailJames 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?
Amazon restructures Wondery: 110 jobs gone
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailAmazon'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 unfulf
Spotify Chasing YouTube While Ads Fall Short - and JAR Podcast Solutions
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailJames 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 mu
Public Broadcasters vs. Open Access: The RTVE Controversy
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailThe 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
Turning Podcast IP into Multi-Platform Revenue
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe 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 sta
Podcast Video Is Complicated But We Can't Surrender It to YouTube
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailInterviews 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 fun
Spotify's Secret to Higher Podcast Consumption
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailApple celebrates twenty years of podcasting in the Apple ecosystem - and Jon Savage asks for help with his podcast studio in Cape Town. Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
Don't just listen to podcasts - watch them, says YouTube CEO
Send James and Sam a message or voicemail- Podcasting is a mainstream media in Australia, the US and UK with over 50% of people listening to a podcast every month in each country. Our time and attention is limited so what other media is declining?- YouTube is the main access point for news podcasts in the US. - Why are more users willing to pay for ad-free quality digital content (behind paywalls
Spotify supports Podcasting 2.0! Plus, research into kids podcasts
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailSpotify is supporting the new podcast namespace. Who'd have thought it?!Plus, we speak with Elena Tsakakis and Molly Bloom about kids podcasting, and what they learnt from their latest research.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/s
Patreon, AI voices, and HLS video
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailJohn McDermott from Caloroga Shark Media sits in for Sam Sethi, who is riding a bicycle and tasing wine across the south of France. Try his podcast Eastwood Reloaded - https://podnews.net/podcast/iz4sj - which we talk about in this episode.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socia
Acast Intelligence, and video in open RSS
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe speak with John Burgess from Acast, and Gautham Raj Anand from Hubhopper, and look at the week's podcast news.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
From The Podcast Show, London; and Max Cutler from PAVE Studios
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailThis was to be a fun live episode, but sadly, the audio recording of that failed to be usable. Bah! Lucky we got other audio as well. So, in this episode, we go round the show talking with people, and chat with Max Cutler, the founder of PAVE Studios.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcast
Buzzsprout's new tools, and Acast launches talent-voiced ads
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe speak with Michael Bayston about Acast's new initiative; plus, Alban Brooke on new tools for Buzzsprout podcasters everywhere - even us!Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
Jason Carter, Ruth Fitzsimons, and Spotify - what are they "play"ing at?
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailAhead of The Podcast Show in London, Jason Carter spills the tea about what'll be there. Not literally.Also, Bauer Ireland's Ruth Fitzsimons. And, we look into Spotify's new play counts, and whatever they are.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www
Spotify's financials, and its $100mn podcast payout
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailSam and James - no guests this week - chat about Spotify, Apple and all things podcasting news this week.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
Podcasting in the Arab states and in India; plus the two billion US industry
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe speak with Stefano Fallaha from Podeo on podcasting in the Arab states, and Gotham Raj Anand from Hubhopper on Indian podcasting after YouTube. Plus, all the latest news from the podcast industry.We use chapters here, so skip through stories if you're a lightweight.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.socia
Spotify video - we speak to Maya Prohovnik; plus Crossed Wires and podcast consumption
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailOur special guest this week is Maya Prohovnik, VP and Head of Podcast Products at Spotify, who joins James Cridland to share insights on Spotify's latest innovations and what’s next for podcasters on the platform.Meanwhile, industry leaders Dan Granger (Oxford Road) and Dan Misener (Bumper) have advocated for an Open Measurement Protocol for Podcasting
Extra: Emma Turner, from the Independent Podcast Awards
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailEmma shares exciting news about the upcoming Independent Podcast Forum on June 16th at 21 Soho in London—a full-day event designed specifically to combat what she calls "the lonely sport" of podcasting. For solo creators who can't always find understanding from non-podcasting friends and family, this gathering promises expert insights and inv
The definition of a podcast: and the Independent Podcast Awards
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe chat with Emma Turner from the Independent Podcast Awards; and about the new definition of a podcast from Oxford Road.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
Live at Podcast Movement Evolutions - video, podcasting and more
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe chat with Jay Nachlis, Steven Goldstein, Alban Brooke, Daniel J Lewis, Dave Jackson and many others. Plus, the week's news - including the Podnews Report Card.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
Extra: Chloe Straw, AudioUK
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailAudio UK is an industry body dedicated to advancing the UK audio sector through innovation, creator support, and driving sustainable growth for podcasts, radio, and audiobooks. We talk with Chloe Straw.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/153877
Extra: Megan Lazovick, Edison Research
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailEdison Research Vice President Megan Lazovic joins us to unpack key findings from the Infinite Dial 2025 report and explore the growing phenomenon of podcast fandom.Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
AudioUK, Megan Lazovick, and YouTube
Send James and Sam a message or voicemailWe chat with Megan Lazovick from Edison Research, Chloe Straw from AudioUK, and Podcast Nation - and talk YouTubeSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net
