We 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 earnings and what it signals
• Subscription revenue as a hedge against ad downturns
• Patreon discovery plans and the platform power shift
• BBC-linked creators launching Patreon and YouTube extras
• Bryan Barletta on Podcast Movement NYC format and pricing
• The business summit model and buyer focused attendance
• Apple Podcasts video via HLS and the real infrastructure costs
• Measurement standards and what new metrics could break
• Flipboard Surf as an RSS style super feed
• New hosting plays like Speakeasy and the record label analogy
• OpenAI buying a podcast and the push to control narrative
• HLS in alternative enclosure and how ads could be skipped
• Spotify AI playlists for podcast discovery and monetization
• TuneIn reopening submissions and why directories still matter
• Podbean Live shutting down and what scale really takes
• Buzzsprout download trends and web traffic that looks like AI
• Transcripts everywhere plus radio-to-podcast automation tools
• Listener voicemails boosts and fan mail as feedback loops

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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 latest ad experiments, and what advertisers actually want when they ask for ROI.

• Buzzsprout rolling out free automatic transcripts on paid plans
• Chapter markers inside the transcript editor and why structure matters
• Why hosts should publish transcripts so every app can use them
• Speaker labels, podcast person tags, and the limits of platform metadata
• Simplifying the Podcasting 2.0 transcript tag and focusing on VTT
• Beehiiv’s new podcast hosting and the push toward consolidation
• Subscriptions, private feeds, and ad networks as a mixed monetisation model
• Spotify’s new ad formats plus Song DNA and what podcasting could copy
• Attribution beyond promo codes including delayed conversions and tagging
• The Pod News Report Card and how platforms respond to creator feedback
• Japan podcast growth, video listening, and YouTube as the top platform
• Wallets, micropayments, and why the US still shapes adoption
• New tools, video claims versus YouTube-only, and hosting built for APIs
• Voicemail fan mail, boosts, and what listeners are sending in

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Why 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 accessibility feature and test-drive the next wave of AI tools that curate listening and automate publishing. 
• Spotify podcast layoffs and what they signal 
• Apple Podcasts video on iOS 26.4 using HLS streaming 
• Which podcast hosts are supporting Apple’s video workflow 
• Whether Apple Podcasts is gaining new listeners 
• Goalhanger’s Accelerator and the fine print question 
• Overcast transcripts for everyone and why accessibility matters 
• Creator-produced transcripts versus app-generated transcripts 
• Snipped AI DJ and chatting with podcasts with Kevin Smith 
• Podhome AI for transcripts chapters clips and automation 
• MCP servers and using Claude to run hosting tasks 
• Live podcasting infrastructure and adoption with Podhome 
• Measurement and industry stats on new podcast feeds 
• Listener messages plus updates from TrueFans and travel notes 

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Apple’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 partner expansion and what it unlocks 
• Why video delivery can cost far more than audio 
• Break-even thinking for video podcasts plus production overhead 
• TrueFans video hosting launch, pricing tiers, and uncharged in-app streams 
• Reveal’s merger with Mother Jones and the launch of More To The Story 
• Tone, solutions journalism, and making heavy reporting more listenable 
• Substack’s new recording studio and the creator platform land grab 
• Podtential’s 100-point diagnostic approach to podcast growth and coaching 
• Podpage acquiring School of Podcasting and what changes 
• Australian regulator data on podcast listening and platform shares 
• Tech updates including HLS details, AI-generated tags, and Spotify taste profiles 
• Listener support, streaming sats, boosts, and a note on tips and tax treatment 
You can support this show by streaming sats, give us feedback using the Buzzsprout fan mail link in our show notes, send us a boost, or become a power supporter at weekly.podnews.net

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We 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 shift showing YouTube leading total podcast time 
• Podbean pulling dynamic ad insertion across Europe and the fallout for creators 
• Adobe Podcast updates including source separation, music removal, and remote video recording 
• Completion and retention research from Bumper and why short episodes finish higher 
• Apple Podcasts video via HLS and what auto-downloads actually pull 
• Reach versus engagement and the risk of handing measurement to three platforms 
• Steve Ackerman on why video is additive and how monetisation models may change 
• BBC monetisation changes, Netflix podcast strategy, and where Amazon might land 
• AI that helps creators versus AI voice slop that hurts audiences 

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Apple’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 without giving up control
• Apple’s HLS model, dynamic ads, and hosting costs
• Spotify’s API path vs open RSS monetization
• limits on first-party data and privacy choices
• how premium feeds and secure distribution fit the mix
• Canada’s discovery gap and funding bottleneck
• CBC’s high bar and the impact on independents
• podcasting overtakes spoken-word radio in the US
• ad spend trends pointing to podcast growth
• new tools, AI summaries, and workflow upgrades

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We 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 enforce on ad skipping and why shorter breaks retain better
• Frame rates, resolutions, and a nod to Vision Pro and immersive options
• Why only a minority can ship video at launch and why YouTube still wins discovery
• Subscription strategy from Supercast: pricing, tiers, AMAs, and creator ownership
• The cost and workflow tradeoffs of video versus the reach and focus of audio
• Narrative podcast strengths: imagination, intimacy, pacing, and sound design
• Platform politics: rankers, missing video data, and measurement gaps
• Events and industry moves that shape the next quarter

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Apple 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 it ships
• MP4 feeds versus HLS delivery trade-offs
• Supported hosts at launch and why ad-tech drives it
• Delivery metrics vs true attribution for advertisers
• Apple’s per-ad tech fee and billing model
• Rising CDN request costs and host pricing changes
• Audio switching, manifests, and separate audio renders
• Alternate enclosure for wider app distribution
• Tags that should be next: person, location, live
• Industry reactions from publishers and ad leaders
• Live video, platforms, and monetisation experiments

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(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 and what creators can learn.

• Captivate hires Rob Walsh and Elsie Escobar for monetisation and creator community
• YouTube discloses $60bn revenue and 1.7tn hours watched with strong subscription mix
• Spotify hits 750m MAUs and 290m subs while podcast ad sales dip
• Supercast acquired by Red Seat Ventures and premium models accelerate
• Acast ad revenue grows and ARPL rises despite prior losses
• Nigeria’s podcast index, formats, languages, and monetisation paths
• Apple’s ranking “fairness” pledge and BBC’s new tech show
• Transcripts as a standard, AI assistants, and discovery tools

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Sam 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 Buzzsprout Magic Mastering
• YouTube’s AI slop problem and weak enforcement
• Apple buying QAI and the future of audio understanding
• Livewire stats filtered for AI and broken trendlines
• Spotify “down,” browser “up” and bots skewing analytics
• OP3, unified dashboards, and realistic measurement
• 34% ad loads training skip behavior and pricing for fewer ads
• Subscriptions, ad-free tiers, and where to build fandom
• Japan’s giant festival, Radio France’s indie curation, Disney and Hulu podcasts
• Boost Box, LN address, and Runway for value-for-value

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We 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
• Wondercraft’s audio-to-video workflows and enterprise use
• Visualizing podcasts, editable AI timelines and avatars
• Trials, discounts and API access for automation
• Music on RSS with streaming sats and $1 hosting
• TrueFans’ per‑MB pricing, listen time and bot costs
• Spotify video’s measurement trade-offs and chapters
• TV apps, watch time metrics and platform competition
• Industry moves, awards, and market consolidation
• On-device AI for transcripts and ad detection
• Pricing shock, technical debt and clean redirects
• Useful tools: analytics prefixes, music libraries and zaps

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Sam 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 economics and ad trade offs
• Live festivals, community design and member retention
• YouTube’s AI stance versus tool rollout
• BBC’s YouTube programming strategy
• Multi channel ranker data across audio, video and clips
• Podcasts as quick context for breaking news
• Spotify video’s measurement gap for rankers and ads
• Cross app comments proposal and moderation
• Merch in RSS and a simple store tag approach
• Bot traffic, human first hosting and bandwidth costs
• CarPlay, Android Automotive and dashboard control
• New tools from Rode and Shure for creators
• Awards season updates, people moves and events

“You can support this show by streaming Sats, sending a super comment or boost, or becoming a power supporter at weekly.podnews.net”

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Normally 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 trade-offs
• Deloitte’s $5bn forecast and attention data contradictions
• Spotify’s dynamic video sponsorships and platform fees
• Spotify’s $10bn claim weighed against Apple’s quiet gains
• YouTube ad effectiveness versus audio-only performance
• Podtrac trends, RSS softness, and YouTube up 82%
• The 2026 battle for RSS and open standards
• Apple Podcasts features, defaults, and market power
• Audio UK joins the Creative Industries Council
• UK and US listening hours, completion, and plays
• Bot traffic, download inflation, and verified metrics
• Amazon’s merch play, funding tags, and timed links
• People moves, jobs, awards, and global events

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We 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 click the support button

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James 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.

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What 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 shifts and lay down their boldest calls for 2026.

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We 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 the Year milestone and Goalhanger’s model
• Cross-promo and cadence as scalable growth levers
• Flight Studio’s talent strategy versus brand synergy
• Hall of Fame inductees and industry recognition
• Creator retention, audio versus video habits, and practical focus
• Fountain’s video hosting and sensible playback defaults
• TrueFans roadmap for audio, video, and live with HLS
• TikTok’s “podcasts” and why definitions drive ad budgets
• Substack live streaming and platform convergence
• Pod Analyst’s unified telemetry, retention curves, and sales clarity
• Downloads versus unique listeners and consumption baselines
• Bot and AI slop concerns and search downgrading
• Libsyn price rises and market signals
• Awards season, new events, and what’s ahead

(This description is from Buzzsprout's CoHost AI, which is very good and are our sponsor).

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(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’s Creator Wrapped as a real growth tool
• YouTube’s US-only charts and watch-time logic
• Apple Replay and Amazon Delivered compared
• Why hosts should build their own year-in-review
• Start Here’s daily format and guest booking tactics
• Titles that drive plays and timely packaging
• News avoidance, constructive journalism, balance
• Audio-only discipline vs video tradeoffs
• UK podcast charts and creator ad spend signals
• iOS auto-chapters and timed links for navigation
• V4V, boosts, and payment standard progress
• New tools, APIs, and analytics experiments

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(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 as core metrics
• loyalty as repeat listening, short‑term vs lifetime signals
• diagnosing new listener vs returning listener problems
• tactics to lift retention: teases, tighter intros, linked back catalog
• autoplay spikes vs durable audience growth
• Patreon’s free RSS hosting and premium access options
• Overcast hiding promos and reruns, impact on revenue
• Pocket Casts playlists and improved search for discovery
• PSO benchmarks and the value of reviews
• community boosts, feedback, and hosting updates

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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 changes, and exclusivity trade‑offs
• Data on clips failing to convert long‑form listens
• Companion podcasts that drive streaming subscriptions
• Radio and podcasts sold together via local and programmatic
• Video’s 77% cost lift per attention hour
• Indie monetisation realities and small‑show strategies
• Micropayments, wallets, and adoption barriers
• Overcast embracing key podcasting tags
• Podcast Magic’s screenshot‑to‑clip workflow and insights
• App updates, RSS presentation, and standards proposals

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(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 sits
• Apple AI chapters, Timed Links, and transcript expansion
• Chapters JSON, ID3, and episode notes pros and cons
• Does Apple make ad skipping easier or ads better
• DAX on attribution, ROAS, and harmonised standards
• Spotify’s earnings, video spin, and creator payouts
• Libsyn ends The Feed; Podcast 411 returns
• Fireside Chat closes; Fox acquires Meet Cute
• LN address vs keysend and easier listener payments
• HLS, listen-time data, and ad effectiveness
• New tools: Podcast Magic and Snipd for smarter notes

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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
• Fountain hosting launches with open RSS and alt enclosures
• Premium RSS and Lightning versus card fees
• Streaming metrics for plays, listen time, and completion
• Interview saturation and the rise of host‑led formats
• China’s credential rule for sensitive creator topics
• Acast profitability and ARPL growth
• MrBallen’s SiriusXM deal and YouTube ad sales
• Bending Spoons buys AOL and raises prices playbook
• Layoffs across media and YouTube AI reorg
• OP3 bot spikes and practical filtering
• Stablecoins, MasterCard, and future micropayments
• Adobe’s licensed AI audio for safer commercial use
• Ad measurement with Audio Pixel and real attribution

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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 challenge podcast UX
• BBC data on modest incremental reach from video
• Oxford Road’s ORBIT ranks shows by ad effectiveness
• Ads vs attribution debate and what “works” really means
• Supporting Cast enables owned subscriptions and ad-free feeds
• Standards frustration: PSP process, adoption gaps, taxonomy needs
• OpenStreetMap-powered location tag enables richer discovery
• AWS outage highlights platform dependence and resilience

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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
• Apple’s ad‑free Series Essentials and who pays the price
• YouTube’s playbook for chapters, titles, comments
• Midday listening peaks and what to publish when
• AI voices, trust, and the “missing middle” of ads
• Location tags, standard icons, and better UX
• Overcast’s download fixes and transcript support
• Community boosts, gamification, and feedback loops

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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 how AI features drive bundled costs
• web player download spikes likely from bots, scrapers, and cloud IPs
• what Flightcast publishes where and why video-first matters
• AI analytics assistant for multi-platform, time-bounded insights
• clip experimentation on separate channels to validate winners
• storage choices enabling future video RSS and richer search
• podcasting 2.0 tags for chapters and transcripts on the roadmap
• why HLS needs shared best practices before broader adoption
• Global Studios’ video push and creator acquisitions
• the $3B ad forecast and the definition problem of “podcast”
• Apple’s Podroll video promos UX quirks and limits
• soundbites, playlists, and underused standards for discovery
• creator tools: Audacity redesign and Whisper.cpp speed gains
• a human-first stance on AI: assist, don’t replace

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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 features and Riverside prompt editing
• why branded podcasts target niches and measure attention
• funding models for originals and talent partnerships
• the rise of video as a content engine for brands
• SoundStack’s HLS launch, costs, and app support
• research on podcast reach and high‑attention media
• events, awards, and tool updates from Buzzsprout
• X402 micropayments, wallets, splits, and V4V

Start podcasting, keep podcasting with Buzzsprout.com

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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 podcasting, contrasting with broadcast television's regulatory environment
• Descript announces new CEO Laura Burkhauser and introduces media minutes and AI credits pricing structure
• Stuart Morgan of Audio Always discusses the blurring lines between podcasting, radio and audiobooks
• Dylan Haskins introduces the new All-Ireland Podcast Awards and Soundwaves conference
• Debate about podcast app monetization strategies after PocketCast introduces ads
• True value for podcasting apps may come from subscription models rather than advertising

If you want to support this podcast, you can do so by streaming sats, using the Buzzsprout fan mail link in our show notes, sending a super comment or boost, or becoming a power supporter at weekly.podnews.net.

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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 announcing dynamically inserted sponsorship messages and AI-enabled features like speech-to-song
• Greg Glenday, Acast CEO, revealing they've paid over $500 million to creators while maintaining a creator-first philosophy
• Acast expanding globally with strong growth in international markets like Singapore, Mexico, and throughout Asia
• ListenNotes removing over 29,000 podcast shows from its database since December as part of quality control efforts
• The need for transparency in AI-generated content versus human-created podcasts
• Apple Podcasts introducing new features in iOS 26 including enhanced dialogue and per-show playback speeds
• Pocket Casts launching expensive advertising options at $5,000 per week for carousel ads
• Various podcast apps adding support for Podcasting 2.0 features like creator-led recommendations and instant notifications

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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 offering AI-generated chapters for podcasts
• Daniel J Lewis has launched Pod Chapters in beta, offering AI-generated chapter creation for podcasters
• Patreon is enhancing creator pages with customization options and domains, pointing to a trend of creator-owned portals
• YouTube broadcast its first exclusive NFL game to 17 million global viewers as sports content grows in importance
• Growing concerns about AI-generated podcast content as companies flood platforms with low-quality, automated shows
• New York Times is closing its dedicated audio app to integrate audio content into its main news app
• Discussion of protocol integration between ActivityPub, the AT protocol, and Nostr for better social web interconnection

If you're in London on Tuesday, September 16th, join James and Sam at the Yorkshire Grey in Langham Street between 5-7pm for drinks and conversation.

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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 "Asia Specific," a new podcast examining global stories through an Asian lens

Plus...
• Blubrry announces first price increase in 20 years, raising questions about sustainable podcast hosting models
• Buzzsprout data shows Spotify usage dropping 3.1% year-on-year, while Apple Podcasts remains dominant at 37.1%
• PodHome launches their own podcast app after a year of development, focused on discovery and modern features
• Top reasons listeners abandon podcasts include content being boring and shows starting with too much meaningless chat.

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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 has given back nearly $900,000 to podcasters
• Each profile doubles as a professional media one-sheet with SEO benefits
• Audio content remains powerful because it doesn't intrude on people's busy lives
• Quality content is essential as the barrier to entry remains low
• The "Mom Test" helps podcasters get honest feedback from listeners
• Building community with listeners provides valuable insights for improvement
• Hosts should ask listeners how they found the show, what they like, how to improve, and what problems they need solved

To sign up for PodMatch or access free podcasting resources, visit podmatch.com/free.

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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 TuneIn to make Apple Music radio stations available across more platforms
• The Pod News Weekly Review wins an Earworthy Podcast Award in the podcast about podcasting category
• Alex Sanfilippo discusses PodMatch's mission to connect podcast hosts and guests while giving back financially to creators
• Google tightens security around Android app distribution, potentially limiting sideloading options
• John Spurlock teases development of a "futuristic" podcast app for Android with unique features

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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.

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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 downloads per episode are making six-figure incomes from their podcasts
• Advertising remains strong, but subscription models are gaining significant traction across the industry
• Organizations like AIR (Association of Independent Radio Professionals) publish rate cards to promote fair compensation for podcast production roles
• Quality podcast production requires adequate labor and resources – "good work takes labor"
• Value-for-value models and cryptocurrency-based micropayments remain niche but have potential for growth
• Event hosting, merchandise, and packaging content across multiple platforms are effective additional revenue streams
• Podcasters are building communities through newsletters and events to strengthen audience relationships
• AI tools help reduce labor-intensive aspects of production but raise questions about transparency and disclosure
• The podcast industry faces potential regulatory challenges as governments implement content restrictions and age verification

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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 audio ecosystems
• Sean King from Veritone emphasizes the importance of balancing host-read ads with other advertising forms
• Patreon creators have earned over $10 billion since 2013, now receiving $2 billion annually—equal to the entire US podcast ad market
• UK age verification requirements for mature content are forcing platforms like Spotify to implement face scanning or ID uploads
• Riverside has quietly launched a podcast hosting service that sends video to YouTube but only audio to other platforms
• New podcast technology includes Todd Cochran's GuestMatchPro for connecting content creators and specialists for interviews
• True Fans is testing a new advertising option called True Ads allowing creators to purchase placement on the homepage

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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 artwork
• JAR Audio rebranding to JAR Podcast Solutions with focus on measurable results: Roger Nairn explains how brands now see real value in podcasts beyond CEO vanity projects
• RSS.com launching PAID (Programmatic Ads Inserted Dynamically) with $1 minimum payout
• YouTube CEO Neil Mohan claiming "it's all over" for audio podcasting as video dominates
• Acast financial results showing US becoming their largest market despite executive departures
• Apple iOS enhanced dialogue feature improving podcast listening experience
• Podcast image tag offering potential solution to artwork format challenges
• Secure RSS and podcast monetization models being developed for premium content
• Overcast apparently working on transcript features for podcasts
• Rode introducing Call Me feature for remote podcast recording
• True Fans positioning as a "value exchange" between creators and listeners

Visit Buzzsprout.com for the tools, support and community to make sure you keep podcasting.

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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, with 37% of Americans watching one in the last month
• YouTube setting a new record with 12.8% of all TV usage in the US
• Joe Budden earning over $1 million monthly on Patreon, demonstrating creators can stay independent while building sustainable businesses
• UK media regulator Ofcom warning that traditional public service TV is endangered
• Podcast hosts missing opportunities by not offering premium content options to compete with Patreon and other membership platforms

See if you can tell where Sam realises that he's got to go to another meeting.

To support this show, visit weeklypodnews.net or stream sats. Subscribe to our newsletter at podnews.net for daily updates.

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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 percentage reach, showing the growing intensity of podcast consumption while enabling better cross-media comparison.

• Audioboom acquires UK podcast company Adelicious, maintaining both brands to serve different market segments
• YouTube announces plans to demonetize inauthentic AI-generated content, raising questions about disclosure standards
• New and updated podcast apps include Campfire (German), Fountain and Podhome

Check us out at podnews.net for daily updates from across the podcast industry. If you want to support this show, visit weeklypodnews.net to become one of our valued power supporters.

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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
• Detailed discussion on HLS video implementation challenges for podcasting
• Growing international markets with India emerging as the third largest podcast market globally
• Exploration of podcast certification standards and what they actually measure

If you get value from this show, please support us with a monthly contribution at weekly.podnews.net or by streaming Sats, leaving a super comment, or using the Buzzsprout fan mail link in our show notes.

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Apple celebrates twenty years of podcasting in the Apple ecosystem - and Jon Savage asks for help with his podcast studio in Cape Town. 

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- 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)? What does this mean for the future of advertising if the people who can afford to pay for ad-free content are the same people advertisers want to reach?

- Why are "Downloads decreasing for many podcasts" but podcast listen/watch time is growing?
 
- YouTube CEO Neal Mohan spoke at Cannes Lions this week and unsurprisingly he said "people don’t want to just listen”. More worryingly, he also spoke about a new form of branded commercial advertising for podcasts. Will this be more like uninterruptible TV commercials?

Finally James has launched https://podnews.net/extras and Sam has submitted a native version of TrueFans to the Apple & Google stores.

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Spotify 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.

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John 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.

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We speak with John Burgess from Acast, and Gautham Raj Anand from Hubhopper, and look at the week's podcast news.

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This 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.

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We speak with Michael Bayston about Acast's new initiative; plus, Alban Brooke on new tools for Buzzsprout podcasters everywhere - even us!

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Ahead 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.

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Sam and James - no guests this week - chat about Spotify, Apple and all things podcasting news this week.

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We 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.

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Our 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—a call for interoperable, privacy-conscious standards and a unified taxonomy across platforms.

In response, “friend of the show” John Spurlock joins Sam Sethi to introduce his proposed solution: Standard Podcast Consumption (SPC). This new data exchange format aims to facilitate the sharing of first-party metrics like Follower Count, Total Listener Time, and more between apps and hosting providers.

James and I also review the hottest podcast news from this week. You can support this show by streaming SATs. You can give us feedback using the Buzzsprout fan mail link in our show notes, you can send us a Super Comment or become a PwR supporter like the Excellent 18 at weekly.podnews.net

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Emma 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 invaluable peer connections. The forum emerged directly from attendee feedback at previous awards ceremonies, where creators consistently valued being surrounded by others who truly understand their unique challenges.

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We chat with Emma Turner from the Independent Podcast Awards; and about the new definition of a podcast from Oxford Road.

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We 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.

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Audio 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.

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Edison 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.

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We chat with Megan Lazovick from Edison Research, Chloe Straw from AudioUK, and Podcast Nation - and talk YouTube

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A full interview with Matt on the future of Podcasting 2.0, and his view of Tom Webster's recent article.

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We speak with Matt Medeiros on Podcasting 3.0, and how to fix Podcasting 2.0. Plus, the Infinite Dial 2025, and more podcast industry news.

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Annalise Nielsen shares her expert insights on YouTube's dominance in podcast consumption and why video strategy needs careful consideration rather than automatic implementation. She explains how different audiences require different approaches to content creation and platform distribution.

• YouTube is now the top platform for podcast consumption, but this doesn't mean video is right for every show
• Only about 30% of podcast consumption happens on YouTube, and much of this isn't active video watching
• Live podcasting is growing as a way to build audience interaction and deeper parasocial relationships
• Spotify's pivot to video seems disconnected from how users typically engage with the platform
• The "attention diet" concept helps creators understand where their target audience already spends time
• Podcast diversity is declining despite women controlling most purchasing decisions
• Different audience segments (executives vs. young consumers) require completely different format approaches
• Video podcast creation requires significant investment and means sacrificing some audio-only capabilities

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We chat with Annalise from Pacific Content about how video fits into podcasting, live events and shows, and women in podcasting. Plus, lots of Spotify news.

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A full version of an interview with Adam and Dave about their new product.

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We talk about Godcaster, and also catch up with the week's news. (A long interview with Adam and Dave on Monday here).

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We speak with Morten Strunge of Podimo about the company's success in hitting one million paid subscribers; and Jay Nachlis from Coleman Insights about their testing tool, the Pod Predictor.

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Rockie talks about why the new podcast namespace excites her, and how to grow podcasting by making it simpler.

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We chat with Rockie Thomas, who is very excited about the potential of live podcasts. And, we cover new developments in the industry, including a look at one podcast that claimed Podcasting 2.0 has failed.

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Sam and James talk about Spotify's recently revealed creator payments for podcasters, and Acast's profitable year

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James chats with David Bodycombe on how he produces video for Tom Scott's Lateral podcast.

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We speak with Kendall Breitman from Riverside on their new tools; and with David Bodycombe on reasons why video podcasting is a good thing after all.

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We speak with Andreea Coscai from EuroWaves about Europe's growth; and talk TuneIn, as well as a ton of numbers

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We're late - sorry. But we're here. We use chapters, so if you use chapters too, feel free to jump to stories that interest you!

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The full interview with Stuart Last from last Friday - including why his company is focusing on "baked-in" ad reads.

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Sam and James cover the news since we last did a "real" show - including Spotify, Global Radio, and live streaming. Plus, we hear from Audioboom's CEO, Stuart Last, on the company's 2024.

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James and Sam predict the podcast industry's 2025.

We're back with our normal show next week; Podnews has been producing updated news throughout the holiday period - you can read that over at https://podnews.net/

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Sam and James look at our predictions for last year; and look back at how 2024 went.

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This episode features predictions and reflections from podcast industry leaders about 2024 and 2025. Multiple speakers address the evolving role of video in podcasting, with some arguing it will become essential while others caution against treating it as a silver bullet. Rachel Corbett notes that video shouldn't be considered mandatory for success, while Neal Veglio suggests a return to audio focus in 2025.

The speakers discuss how Donald Trump's appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast influenced the election, highlighting podcasting's growing mainstream impact. Several contributors, including Cameron Moll from Buzzsprout, predict AI will become more seamlessly integrated into podcast production workflows, moving from a highlighted feature to a behind-the-scenes tool.

The future of podcast monetization and distribution platforms emerges as a key theme. Rockie Thomas predicts publishers will need to combine traditional baked-in ads with dynamic insertion to optimize revenue across platforms. Multiple speakers address the ongoing competition between Spotify, Apple, and YouTube, with James Burt suggesting Spotify might finally overtake Apple as the dominant platform in 2025.

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This week, we've an interview with Jessica Cordova Cramer from Lemonada Media, who shares insights about working with Meghan Markle and David Duchovny. She reveals how their shows have exceeded expectations, with Duchovny's podcast expanding from 20 planned episodes to 31 due to its success, and discusses the company's strategy for selecting talent who have a clear purpose for their podcasts.

A new approach to podcast comments is proposed, using existing RSS technology. James and Sam explain how this could simplify the process for both developers and users, while allowing podcasters to maintain control over their comment sections and aggregate feedback from multiple platforms.

We also hear about Podthon, secure RSS, and Claire Waite Brown who has produced a new show explaining Podcasting 2.0.

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Acast's acquisition of Wonder Media Network for $7.8 million. Ross Adams and Shira Atkins discus how this strategic move enhances Acast's creative capabilities and expands their presence in the US market, while also revealing plans for video content and live streaming initiatives in 2025.

The Podcast Hall of Fame's evolution, with chairperson Rob Greenlee explaining efforts to transform it from a US-centric institution into a truly global recognition platform. The discussion highlights challenges in diversifying nominations and voters to better represent international podcast pioneers.

Daniel J Lewis shares insights about Podgagement, a platform designed to replace Chartable's analytics features, revealing that he has been tracking 34,000 podcast charts hourly for five years across multiple regions and genres. The tool offers unique features for podcasters to monitor their rankings and engage with their audience through voice messages and feedback systems.

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We listen to a recent interview with Daniel Ek; and discuss video on open RSS and why it's not, really, the best solution.

See our Spotify Wrapped data: https://wrappedforcreators.byspotify.com/en/?id=7fa285233876bf77d3224c08aa829c06fb31f084c123746f3a1b4c13390453be#!/1

Me and my Tiny Human, from PWR Supporter Rachel Corbett, is here: https://podnews.net/podcast/iuveg

The Colin and Samir Show, which we quote from, is here: https://podnews.net/podcast/i498j

We support chapters!

Support us here: https://weekly.podnews.net/

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a) a lot of impenetrable technical stuff about how streaming payments will change for those of us using "streaming sats" or "boosts".

b) Nick Dunkerley from Hindenburg on a year of Hindenburg Pro 2.

c) Jon Thoday from Avalon on how his talent management company sees podcasting

We have chapters! Use them if impenetrable technical stuff is not your thing!

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Can Amazon Music's latest move to integrate Audible shake up the streaming landscape? We explore this  strategy offering subscribers in the US, UK, and Canada a free Audible title each month and ponder if this could elevate Amazon Music's stance amidst stiff competition.

Gain insights from Neil Mody, CEO of Headliner, as he reveals how innovative tools are shaping the podcasting world. 

Learn from Alberto Betella about RSS.com's new GOST.ai tool.

And James goes off on one about whether we should welcome YouTube or, instead, recognise it as a threat.

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In this episode, James Cridland reports from West Hollywood about Spotify's major "Now Playing" event, where the company announced significant changes including rebranding Spotify for Podcasters to Spotify for Creators. The platform unveiled a new partner program allowing creators to earn money from both audio and video content, with specific eligibility requirements that appear more stringent than YouTube's criteria.

The show features an insightful interview with Matt Campion from Spirit Studios about their IP 360 strategy, which focuses on creating multi-platform content across podcasting, video, and television. Campion discusses how the industry's shift away from traditional TV commissioning has led them to focus on building digital-first projects that can later be developed into data-led TV series.

The hosts also explore Samsung's decision to shut down its podcast app, Chris Wallace's departure from CNN to pursue opportunities in streaming and podcasting, and interesting developments in podcast technology, including new tools for audience surveys and changes in how platforms label the subscribe/follow button. The episode concludes with a discussion about the shifting social media landscape as creators move away from Twitter/X toward platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon.

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Full interviews with Justin Jackson, Mike Parkinson and Jamie Anderson are over at https://extra.podnews.net - what you hear here is about ten minutes of a 30+ minute interview.

We speak to Jamie Anderson and Mike Parkinson about "Virtually Parkinson", the new podcast hosted by an AI Sir Michael Parkinson.

And, Justin Jackson, from Transistor.

NB: We haven't uploaded a transcript this week, because transcription tools appear to have replaced "Parky" with a racial slur, and we don't trust the tool enough to allow it to produce a transcript this time. (Apple Podcasts users - you get whatever Apple has created).

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We chat with Jamie East about the Daily Mail's podcasts, and the company's expansion into Europe; and with the winner of the Independent Podcast Awards, It's A Continent.

https://podnews.net/podcast/i9e1m

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A special episode, with a long-form interview with Diary of a CEO's Jack Sylvester.

Find out how the podcast works; what the future is for Flight Studio and Steven Bartlett's new companies, and plenty more.

We're back with our usual show next week!

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We look at the new Fountain build, and wonder what This American Life is doing

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We chat with Sandy Wilheim from YouTube; Michele Cobb from The Ambies; and Paolo Diaz about podcasting in South Africa.

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The Acast study: https://podnews.net/press-release/consumerism

Read Podnews for the full Spotify interview: https://podnews.net/

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We chat with Mark about Captivate's Spark AI; discuss all that's new about Spotify; and the RODECaster Video.

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We interview Carl Fridsjö from Podspace, and learn about the company from Sweden.

Plus - there are lots of exciting things going on with AI. We look at some of those, too!

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James Cridland and Sam Sethi discuss various topics related to podcasting, including new features from Buzzsprout, the importance of attention in the digital age, and the shift towards video content. The episode also includes an interview with Steve Pratt, author of the book "Earn It: Unconventional Strategies for Brave Marketers." Pratt discusses the importance of creating valuable content to earn attention and provides examples of companies that have successfully done so. The hosts also discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the increasing use of video in podcasting.

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We chat with Mike Russell from Music Radio Creative; Dustin Bluck from Castro; and Russell Harrower from PodToo.

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