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Friday, Aug 7
Cumulus Media has laid-off a large number of people in the Cumulus Podcast Network; some reports suggested the entire department has been gutted, though the company has said that those reports are inaccurate, and that the company “remains committed” to its network. A LinkedIn post by former VP of Podcast Operations and Production, Jay “PodVader” Soderberg, suggests he is one of those affected; it’s also reported that SVP of Marketing and Podcasting Carolyn Chauncey has also left, as well as Executive Producer Tanya Bustos. A previous team member, John Wordock, looks back at better days.
In signings, WABC Radio has signed with Spreaker Prime for premium podcast monetisation … Realm is to produce, distribute and monetise Disney, National Geographic Kids and Marvel audio properties in a new partnership … The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast has joined Mercury for distribution and monetisation.
Podscribe has added AI optimisation delivery tools and lookalike audience targeting to its SmartServe tool.
The BBC has announced new presenters for popular science podcast The Infinite Monkey Cage. Described as “guest presenters”, Adam Rutherford and Jessica Fostekew will host the next series. The show has been in the top 25 podcasts in the UK, but hasn’t had a new episode all year after Robin Ince quit the show, citing pressure from BBC executives about his personal views. Professor Brian Cox, Ince’s co-host, is on tour with a live show until the end of March, and will not be taking part.
One of the best responses to Pod Save America’s Tommy Vietor’s tweet expressing anger at Spotify’s “Skip Ahead” tool is this one - “I skip through every single ad read you guys do. Magic spoon, loomi, aura, better help, helix, bombas, the tree shippers, ziprecruiter, etc. SKIP.” Impressive brand recognition for ads you claim not to listen to, bro.
✅There's More: HERE
13% of US weekly podcast consumers say they consume podcasts most often… on the television. Edison Podcast Metrics report that it’s the highest figure yet - and reflects the growing number of podcasts making it to YouTube, Netflix, Tubi and other video platforms.
Spotify has expanded its EQUAL program with its first EQUAL Podcast Ambassador, hoping that the company can help elevate women podcasters and help promote women creators behind the podcast microphone. It’s Morgan Absher, the host of Spotify show Two Hot Takes, who told Podnews: “When I started podcasting, the first place you look is the charts, and there weren’t really many women at the top. A program like this really helps get us on an even playing field and makes the success stories a lot easier to come by. And I hope to hear more of them.”
The founder of Crooked Media, Tommy Vietor, isn’t happy with Spotify - he starts an X post saying “Very cool of Spotify to try and destroy the podcast industry”. He’s quoting our story unveiling Spotify’s controversial new Skip Ahead feature; and Mediaite has taken up the story.
“Automated editorial decisions and suggestions about someone else’s content shouldn’t be made by a party that had no role in creating it”, says Glenn Rubenstein of Adopter Media in a blog post. He suggests that host-read ads should feel part of the show; that excessive stuffing of ads into shows “isn’t doing the industry any favors”, and that podcast platforms should “offer the episode as published”. (Not a big "Skip Ahead" button when it thinks it’s not worth listening to?)
Thursday, Aug 6
13% of US weekly podcast consumers say they consume podcasts most often… on the television. Edison Podcast Metrics report that it’s the highest figure yet - and reflects the growing number of podcasts making it to YouTube, Netflix, Tubi and other video platforms.
- It does beg the question: what is Apple Podcasts doing about Roku and Android TV, which dominate the connected TV world? Apple Podcasts on an Apple TV will get access to video podcasting in the next few months - but isn’t available at all from a Google TV streamer or a Roku device.
Spotify has expanded its EQUAL program with its first EQUAL Podcast Ambassador, hoping that the company can help elevate women podcasters and help promote women creators behind the podcast microphone. It’s Morgan Absher, the host of Spotify show Two Hot Takes, who told Podnews: “When I started podcasting, the first place you look is the charts, and there weren’t really many women at the top. A program like this really helps get us on an even playing field and makes the success stories a lot easier to come by. And I hope to hear more of them.”
- We have a full interview in tomorrow’s Podnews Weekly Review podcast.
The founder of Crooked Media, Tommy Vietor, isn’t happy with Spotify - he starts an X post saying “Very cool of Spotify to try and destroy the podcast industry”. He’s quoting our story unveiling Spotify’s controversial new Skip Ahead feature; and Mediaite has taken up the story.
“Automated editorial decisions and suggestions about someone else’s content shouldn’t be made by a party that had no role in creating it”, says Glenn Rubenstein of Adopter Media in a blog post. He suggests that host-read ads should feel part of the show; that excessive stuffing of ads into shows “isn’t doing the industry any favors”, and that podcast platforms should “offer the episode as published”. (Not a big "Skip Ahead" button when it thinks it’s not worth listening to?)
✅There's More: HERE
How much could video increase your show? “Adding video saw an estimated increase of around 25% in weekly sessions on Apple Podcasts” says Acast, announcing today that any Acast creator can now publish video to Apple Podcasts; the feature had previously been invitation-only. All creators have potential to earn from video as well, through Acast’s marketplace. The video plan starts at $39.99/month on an annual plan. (If you’re already on the Acast Creator Network, just ask your partner manager).
Buzzsprout has expanded its video hosting to now support Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. One of the biggest podcast hosts in the world, the company’s users can now deliver 1080p video to all three platforms. The audio + video plan starts at $25/month on an annual plan.
Yesterday, we reported on new “skip ahead” functionality from Spotify, which can be used to skip ads, intros or promos in podcasts with just one button. Being tested by selected Premium users in the US, it now appears that this is also available for some Premium users in the UK, the world’s second-biggest podcast market.
How flash is your office? Ah, but has it got a rocket in the middle of it? While Diary of a CEO’s Steven Bartlett has spent more time in the US recently, he’s committed to his London offices by recently completing a full renovation of them. We’ve plenty of pictures: it’s close to The Podcast Show venue, so we assume there’ll be a flat white for us if we pop in next May?
The recently-opened Obama Presidential Center has a state of the art Media Suite, and a recording studio. The first podcaster to be invited was Ana Xavier, who met President Obama to discuss his hopes for how it’ll be used by the surrounding community.
Wednesday, Aug 5
How much could video increase your show? “Adding video saw an estimated increase of around 25% in weekly sessions on Apple Podcasts” says Acast, announcing today that any Acast creator can now publish video to Apple Podcasts; the feature had previously been invitation-only. All creators have potential to earn from video as well, through Acast’s marketplace. The video plan starts at $39.99/month on an annual plan. (If you’re already on the Acast Creator Network, just ask your partner manager).
Buzzsprout has expanded its video hosting to now support Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. One of the biggest podcast hosts in the world, the company’s users can now deliver 1080p video to all three platforms. The audio + video plan starts at $25/month on an annual plan.
Yesterday, we reported on new “skip ahead” functionality from Spotify, which can be used to skip ads, intros or promos in podcasts with just one button. Being tested by selected Premium users in the US, it now appears that this is also available for some Premium users in the UK, the world’s second-biggest podcast market.
How flash is your office? Ah, but has it got a rocket in the middle of it? While Diary of a CEO’s Steven Bartlett has spent more time in the US recently, he’s committed to his London offices by recently completing a full renovation of them. We’ve plenty of pictures: it’s close to The Podcast Show venue, so we assume there’ll be a flat white for us if we pop in next May?
The recently-opened Obama Presidential Center has a state of the art Media Suite, and a recording studio. The first podcaster to be invited was Ana Xavier, who met President Obama to discuss his hopes for how it’ll be used by the surrounding community.
✅There's More: HERE
Exclusive: Spotify releases its latest earnings report this morning - but they won’t be promoting this. In a significant threat to podcasting, Podnews can reveal today that Spotify is testing an ad-skipping tool for podcasts - a “Skip ahead” button that appears in podcast ads and sponsorship messages.
Spotify’s new ad-blocker is even blocking ads that Spotify has sold, leading some to wonder whether this is fraudulent behaviour by the company. Ads are still delivered to the user’s device, but a button appears to encourage listeners to skip them.
Spotify is a major podcast app - delivering the majority of all podcast downloads in many countries. However, not only does its “skip ahead” feature push listeners to bypass ads, it even encourages listeners to skip creators talking about their Patreon-style premium subscriptions.
Spotify remains the biggest podcast network in the US by reach, suggests new data from Edison Research. SiriusXM is at #2, iHeart is at #3. The data is based on the reach of represented shows for each network. However, given that Spotify is encouraging listeners to skip its own ads, this ranker may not be based on listeners to the actual advertisements.
Spotify attempted to cache audio when it started incorporating podcasts, and has often been treated by podcasters with suspicion. Launching an ad-skipping tool to encourage listeners to skip past monetisation that pays for the content will be seen by many as a deeply concerning way to treat creators. There are obvious parallels with how the company is accused of treating musicians.
Tuesday, Aug 4
Spotify’s new ad-blocker is even blocking ads that Spotify has sold, leading some to wonder whether this is fraudulent behaviour by the company. Ads are still delivered to the user’s device, but a button appears to encourage listeners to skip them.
Spotify is a major podcast app - delivering the majority of all podcast downloads in many countries. However, not only does its “skip ahead” feature push listeners to bypass ads, it even encourages listeners to skip creators talking about their Patreon-style premium subscriptions.
Spotify remains the biggest podcast network in the US by reach, suggests new data from Edison Research. SiriusXM is at #2, iHeart is at #3. The data is based on the reach of represented shows for each network. However, given that Spotify is encouraging listeners to skip its own ads, this ranker may not be based on listeners to the actual advertisements.
Spotify attempted to cache audio when it started incorporating podcasts, and has often been treated by podcasters with suspicion. Launching an ad-skipping tool to encourage listeners to skip past monetisation that pays for the content will be seen by many as a deeply concerning way to treat creators. There are obvious parallels with how the company is accused of treating musicians.
✅There's More: HERE
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act comes into law today - which is relevant if your content is consumed in the EU, like all podcasts are. Article 50 requires clear disclosure if you use AI to “generate or manipulate” audio or video content. In an article, Production Expert clarifies that manipulation doesn’t mean de-noising or repairing audio (or using AI editing tools); but it does mean that clear disclosure is required if you’re generating whole phrases that a voice never actually recorded. Anything made before today does not need retroactive labelling. Fines can reach a maximum of around $40mn. (We’re not your lawyer).
The submission deadline has been extended for the International Women’s Podcast Awards. You now have until Aug 14 to enter; entries can be from anywhere in the world, and are just $50.
Podcast hosting platform CoHost now supports Apple Podcasts video on all CoHost plans at no extra cost.
Persephonica has signed a exclusive sales partnership with Acast. The deal means that Acast Studios London will be used for recording some of the company’s shows.
Livewire episode data for July appears to show Spotify for Creators has rebounded back to having a 24% share of all episodes released. Spreaker is on a 2026 record of 13.6%. The increased numbers for Spotify and Spreaker mean that almost all other podcast hosts are showing a decline in share this month, with one exception: new entrant Firstory has shown a significant increase. Having said that, Podcast Index’s public data shows that many new shows from Firstory are chinese-language spam promoting coupon codes.
Monday, Aug 3
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act comes into law today - which is relevant if your content is consumed in the EU, like all podcasts are. Article 50 requires clear disclosure if you use AI to “generate or manipulate” audio or video content. In an article, Production Expert clarifies that manipulation doesn’t mean de-noising or repairing audio (or using AI editing tools); but it does mean that clear disclosure is required if you’re generating whole phrases that a voice never actually recorded. Anything made before today does not need retroactive labelling. Fines can reach a maximum of around $40mn. (We’re not your lawyer).
The submission deadline has been extended for the International Women’s Podcast Awards. You now have until Aug 14 to enter; entries can be from anywhere in the world, and are just $50.
Podcast hosting platform CoHost now supports Apple Podcasts video on all CoHost plans at no extra cost.
Persephonica has signed a exclusive sales partnership with Acast. The deal means that Acast Studios London will be used for recording some of the company’s shows.
Livewire episode data for July appears to show Spotify for Creators has rebounded back to having a 24% share of all episodes released. Spreaker is on a 2026 record of 13.6%. The increased numbers for Spotify and Spreaker mean that almost all other podcast hosts are showing a decline in share this month, with one exception: new entrant Firstory has shown a significant increase. Having said that, Podcast Index’s public data shows that many new shows from Firstory are chinese-language spam promoting coupon codes.
✅There's More: HERE
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