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 bran...

(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 •...

(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 • tac...

Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

(This is an AI description from Buzzsprout's Cohost) We test Netflix’s “video podcast” land grab, then show why Apple’s AI chapters and Timed Links are the practical upgrade creators needed. DAX’s Brian Conlan joins to explain why audio’s problem is ROAS, not downloads, and how better measurement unlocks bigger budgets. • Netflix licensing moves and YouTube exclusivity trade-offs • Why this is cheap TV, not podcasting, and why that matters • Audio vs video consumption and where value really...

We unpack a bold true crime breakthrough: RNZ uses AI to recreate a deceased inmate’s voice with family consent and full disclosure, elevating the investigation without faking facts. We also dive into video on the TV screen, premium RSS, and why co‑host chemistry beats guest fatigue. • Spotify adds video podcasts to Apple TV • YouTube AI upscales low‑res video and adds QR shopping • RNZ’s NARC uses 11Labs with ethics review and consent • Why AI voice can be more transparent than actors • Fou...

We track Edison Research’s sale to SSRS, Spotify’s TV distribution push, and whether video truly grows podcast audiences. We debate Oxford Road’s new ad-performance ranker, membership models that creators can own, and the messy state of podcast standards. • SSRS acquires Edison Research and keeps the team • Edison’s people-based ranker shows stable top shows and fast risers • Spotify expands via Samsung TV Plus and Netflix distribution • Netflix’s background audio and auto limitations challe...

We break down the Netflix–Spotify pact to move select video podcasts off YouTube, weigh the real winners, and ask whether exclusivity helps or harms creators. We also challenge Apple’s ad‑free push, share data on when people actually listen, and explore practical tools that make podcasts easier to find and love. We'd have had ChadF on this week for an interview, but technology let us down. Sorry. • Why Netflix and Spotify align on video podcasts • What leaving YouTube means for Ringer fans ...

Flightcast’s Rox Codes joins us to unpack a video-first hosting and growth platform built for YouTube, Spotify, and serious creators, while we challenge inflated web “browser” downloads, pricing resets, and what actually counts as a podcast in a $3B market. We weigh useful AI assistants against synthetic co-hosts, and map the road to practical standards like HLS and Podcasting 2.0. • livewire host-share data showing consolidation and heritage brands sliding • price rises at major hosts and h...

We break down AI-generated podcast “slop,” Spotify’s leadership shift, and why attention—not downloads—should be the metric brands care about. Fresh Air’s Neil Cowling joins us to explain how branded podcasts create real value, and where video fits in. • reactions to Jeanine Wright's interview and AI content quality • risk to advertisers from bots and low retention • International Podcast Day and the case for open RSS • Spotify’s co‑CEOs move and DDEX‑based AI disclosures • YouTube AI featur...

AI is transforming the podcast industry, raising questions about disclosure, quality standards, and audience preferences as companies like Inception Point AI create thousands of AI-generated episodes weekly. • Jeanine Wright from Inception Point AI reveals they produce 3,000 episodes weekly with just eight staff members • Discussion of AI disclosure standards and whether the "person tag" or "disclosure tag" adequately addresses advertiser concerns • Corporate censorship considerations for po...

AI-generated content is rapidly flooding the podcast ecosystem, creating tension between innovation and quality standards across the audio landscape. Companies like Inception Point AI are generating thousands of low-quality episodes despite criticism, while YouTube introduces new features that could either revolutionize monetization or exacerbate content pollution problems. • AI content companies defending their output as "art" despite widespread criticism from industry experts • YouTube ann...

We remember podcasting pioneer Todd Cochran who passed away suddenly this week, reflecting on his 19-year journey in the industry and the indelible mark he left on the medium. • Todd's journey began in 2004 with a $14.95 Walmart microphone, creating his first podcast in a hotel room in Waco, Texas • An excerpt from our 2023 interview with Todd shares his podcasting origin story and philosophy • Apple Podcasts appears to be preparing support for Podcasting 2.0 JSON chapters, potentially...

Jakarta sets the stage for an exploration of Asia's unique podcast landscape, where innovative approaches to monetization and content distribution reflect the region's diverse markets and consumer behaviors. • Ron Baetiong from Podcast Network Asia leverages Spotify's Open Access with local payment systems like GCash for their audio drama platform • Japanese podcast consumption differs significantly from Western markets, with YouTube as the top platform for podcast listening • BBC announces ...

Alex Sanfilippo shares how PodMatch is revolutionizing podcast guest booking through an innovative platform that functions like a dating app for interviews. He explains the platform's unique business model and why he believes community building is the future of podcasting. • PodMatch connects podcast hosts and guests while automating administrative functions • The platform charges a small fee to ensure users are serious, creating a "law of buy-in" • Through the Pod Value Initiative, PodMatch...

James and Sam examine Spotify's new direct messaging feature for sharing podcast recommendations and how it might impact content discovery. • Spotify releases data showing Gen Z students increase podcast listening at breakfast time when returning to school • Science, business, and technology podcasts see significant growth among younger listeners • Captivate announces Studio feature integrating remote recording capabilities directly into their hosting platform • Apple partners with Tun...

This audio has been rescued from almost inaudible audio thanks to recording using the wrong microphone - this was just on a laptop microphone carried around a loud conference. Good job that Buzzsprout has a tool called Power Clean that fixed much of that for us. We also speak with Oskar Serrander about Wondercraft's new tool, Wonda. Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Sup...

James and Sam are away this week, so time for an interview in more detail than we normally would. Norma-Jean Belenky discusses her new podcast PodBiz, which explores the various ways podcasters monetize their content through transparent conversations with industry professionals. • PodBiz aims to answer the question "where's the money in podcasting?" through interviews with experts in advertising, subscriptions, and alternative revenue models • Some independent creators with just 1,200 downlo...

Amazon's restructuring of Wondery signals deeper issues with their podcast strategy as they distribute operations across Audible, creator services, and advertising divisions while losing approximately 110 jobs in the process. • Amazon's track record with podcast acquisitions has been underwhelming, including Art19's low market share and unfulfilled promises for high-profile shows • Dan Granger from Oxford Road suggests the reorganization represents a recalibration toward more integrated audi...