Sam Sethi talks with Steven Goldstein about Liquid Content - and why our biggest threat is measurement that can't keep up with how the podcast world is changing.

Plus...

• Spotify memberships pricing tiers badges and email access for creators 
• why web-based purchasing matters for app store rules and funding links 
• ad skipping tools and the knock-on effect for podcast advertising 
• Apple Podcasts positioning HLS ads and the coming fight over fees 
• Substack and Beehive adding dynamic ad insertion for podcasts 
• liquid content across audio video newsletters and social clips 
• clip culture microdramas and what retention looks like now 
• “the download is dead” and the need for people plays and time 
• Netflix podcast hype versus what investors actually hear 
• smart glasses as another listening surface and why it changes nothing without better metrics 

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A personal “podcast robot” that knows what you care about, searches the live stream of new episodes, reads transcripts, and drops surprisingly good recommendations straight into your favourite app sounds like science fiction until you hear Adam Curry walk through what he built. We dig into his Podcast Index Robot, why an MCP server is basically a bridge between AI agents and real podcast data, and how this could finally tackle the podcast discovery problem that pushed so many creators toward YouTube.

We're sponsored by our friends at Buzzsprout.

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James is back from Europe; and we chat about why podcast ad spend is rising. Plus...

• Libsyn RSS namespace for ad slot availability and why it feels odd in public feeds 
• Goalhanger’s newsletter strategy as a membership product and audience data hub 
• smart TV growth for podcast consumption and why smart speakers still fail discovery 
• Canadian in car listening data plus listener resistance to AI hosts 
• AI agents clipping shows, MCP servers, and how micropayments could change access 
• blocking scrapers with WAF rules and the limits of user agent based controls 
• Spotify audiobooks expansion and the attention competition inside major apps 
• human written certification for books and the wider provenance problem 
• bot driven streaming fraud as a warning for future podcast monetisation 
• app and hosting updates including transcripts, video tools, and evolving person tags 

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Sam and James talk about a new podcast interview with Inception Point AI; and Sam discusses with Dave Jones of Podcast Index about the future of podcasting.

• Patreon removing per creation memberships and what that breaks for seasonal creators
• Reddit RSS shutdown, public API restrictions, and the economics of selling data to AI companies
• Real-world costs of AI scrapers, bot traffic, and why caching is essential
• How Podping replaces constant polling with near real-time feed update pings
• Why the new Podping peer-to-peer gossip mesh reduces single points of failure
• How podping.cloud publishing works today and why token signup must become scalable
• The origin story of the Podcast Index and the case for an open directory
• A decentralised future where the index database can be rebuilt from distributed updates
• Why the Podcasting 2.0 namespace exists and how new RSS tags get adopted
• Live tag friction, host responsibilities, and what would make live podcasting simpler
• Micropayments reality check, regulation hurdles, and why stablecoins may be next
• The risk of over-marketing features versus letting builders discover and succeed organically

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Sam and James talk about a new interview with Inception Point AI; and Sam discusses with Dave Jones of Podcast Index about the future of podcasting.

• Patreon removing per creation memberships and what that breaks for seasonal creators
• Reddit RSS shutdown, public API restrictions, and the economics of selling data to AI companies
• Real-world costs of AI scrapers, bot traffic, and why caching is essential
• How Podping replaces constant polling with near real-time feed update pings
• Why the new Podping peer-to-peer gossip mesh reduces single points of failure
• How podping.cloud publishing works today and why token signup must become scalable
• The origin story of the Podcast Index and the case for an open directory
• A decentralised future where the index database can be rebuilt from distributed updates
• Why the Podcasting 2.0 namespace exists and how new RSS tags get adopted
• Live tag friction, host responsibilities, and what would make live podcasting simpler
• Micropayments reality check, regulation hurdles, and why stablecoins may be next
• The risk of over-marketing features versus letting builders discover and succeed organically

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Sam and James look at Podcast Week, and the highs (and lows) of the week in NYC. Plus, Sam catches up with SupaPass, to learn more about the membership platform.

If your podcast app supports it, we're in video this week.

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There'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 Sethi

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We 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 tries to fix for creators and brands 
• How cross-platform campaigns work without drowning audiences in sponsors 
• The difference between a media agency and a creator sales house 
• Revenue model basics, revenue share and incentives for creator monetisation 
• Measurement problems across platforms, APIs, dashboards and “real” performance 
• Spotify skip button concerns and why platform agnostic strategy matters 
• Linnet AI production studio and what an end-to-end workflow could change 
• Podtrac ranker drops, podcast inactivity stats and what they do and do not mean 
• Hosting and ad tech moves, DAI access, contextual targeting and video ads 
• Pocket Casts updates, Apple web player improvements and other tooling news 
• Awards, events, and community notes including Podcast Movement plans 

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James 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 focused while the industry shifts under its feet. We also unpack YouTube shopping, inflated play metrics, RSS distribution friction, and what Podcast Day Asia reveals about where monetization and video are heading globally. 
• creator-first service as a growth strategy for podcasts, YouTube, newsletters and social 
• why Acast says focus and stopping projects drives profitability 
• video podcasting as an evolution, keeping distribution open and platform-agnostic 
• creator feedback loops using research, surveys and performance data 
• Spotify ad skipping backlash, what it means for creators and advertisers 
• new platform entrants, MG deals and why the long tail matters 
• newsletters as monetizable inventory, including the Kit partnership and Acast Austin 
• AI usage lines, transparency and rejecting synthetic hosts for companionship media 
• YouTube Amazon affiliate shopping, storefront links and RSS tag ideas 
• YouTube play metric changes, AMP Accords tension and measurement trust 
• field notes from Podcast Day Asia Jakarta, localization and payment realities 
• Buzzsprout one-click directory submissions, support fallout and RSS education 
• industry moves across hosting, programmatic radio ads, events and tooling 
You can give us feedback using the Buzzsprout voicemail link in our show notes, or become a monthly power supporter like the 24 Power Supporters at weekly.podnews.net, which we thank them very much for. Subscribe to our newsletter at podnews.net. Tell your friends and grow the show. And support us. 

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James 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 and the coercion angle 
• Newsletters as the best real estate in podcasting and why platforms are piling in 
• Acast partnering with Kit versus all-in-one creator platforms like Beehive 
• Spotify Megaphone issues affecting ad campaigns and DAI reliability 
• Podbean analytics filters mistakenly wiping Apple Podcasts downloads 
• The whack-a-mole problem of bots, crawlers, and imperfect measurement 
• Podcast 2.0 building blocks gaining traction: person tags and location tags 
• Podcast Radar as a map-based discovery tool and why rich location data matters 
• Threads experimenting with transcript-synced audio posts 
• Listener mail on Megaphone support and hosting fit 

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James 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 of open podcasting.

• Mercury Podcasts’ mission to support independent shows ready to level up
• Independent Podcasters Day and why indies need their own space
• Spotify ad skipping tests and the knock on effects for programmatic revenue
• Listener tolerance for unskippable ads and the risk of audience platform switching
• YouTube’s “views” versus “engaged views” and why measurement transparency matters
• Video podcast growth claims from Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout plus what the numbers might miss
• Discoverability pressure on audio only creators as platforms push video
• Inception Point AI rebrand to Liquify AI and what the pivot signals
• Megaphone back end changes, ad delivery quirks, and competitive separation rules
• Podcast ad spend growth in Australia and Ireland plus notable industry job moves
• Awards, events, and why more regional podcast conferences matter
• Practical AI use in production workflows and where automation goes too far

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We 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 RSS open 
• Apple’s ad serving fee question and the limits of contract transparency 
• Why Apple may prefer an API workflow for video safety controls 
• YouTube raising monetisation thresholds and what that signals to creators 
• Spotify’s ad skip experiment and the risks of relying on one platform 
• Acast buying Backyard Ventures as a scale and inventory play in the US 
• Apple Podcasts play counts critique and why some analysts say ignore them 
• Magellan AI reporting ad revenue growth alongside rising ad load 
• Disney Plus, Hulu, and Twitch as new distribution surfaces for podcasts 
• Overcast and iOS updates plus the expanding HLS support lists 
• AI slop reporting ideas and watermarking attempts 
• Browser based transcription and summary tools as cheaper hosting features 
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We 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 about Buzzsprout's enhanced video offering

• Spotify Equal expands from music into podcasting with a focus on women creators
• Morgan Absher’s accidental start during the pandemic and how Two Hot Takes scales fast
• Why video podcasting drives connection for reaction formats and community-led shows
• The chart gap for women-led podcasts and the role of confidence and imposter syndrome
• Events and awards that increase visibility and help creators get booked and partnered
• Spotify Q2 numbers plus the push toward premium revenue per user
• Spotify’s “Skip Ahead” button and why it feels different from manual skipping
• The download metric problem versus measuring ad plays and completion
• Platform control trends across Spotify, YouTube, and Netflix style walled gardens
• Video distribution updates across Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Spotify plus hosting pricing shifts
• EU AI Act disclosure rules and why an RSS AI tag alone may not satisfy lawyers
• Transcripts becoming mainstream as the SiriusXM case nears settlement

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We 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, Apple’s confusing analytics, and the rising costs and trade-offs of video podcasting.
• creator monetisation realities versus entitlement narratives
• whether apps “owe” creators for RSS consumption
• why listeners pay to remove ads and what that says about relevance
• AMP Accords goals and the practical limits of cross-platform data sharing
• Apple Podcasts analytics inconsistencies and why they erode trust
• the “video threshold” and when video pays for itself
• short-form video as a discovery strategy without full show video
• RSS.chat as a possible foundation for cross app comments
• micro.blog, POSSE syndication, and momentum for alternate enclosure
• specialist podcast media buying with Earmax and what brands actually want
• concerns about misinformation when fact checks stay on-screen only

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We 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 definitions across podcast audio and video
• the shorthand test for a podcast: “If it works with your eyes closed”
• the proposed “play” standard at 30 consecutive seconds and why qualifiers get messy
• exposure metrics and the practical limits of privacy and platform cooperation
• attribution improvements through verified exposure and control groups
• why podcast apps may need revenue share to provide better consumption data
• ad-skipping apps like Podtastic and why they are hard to block
• Edison’s UK data showing YouTube overtaking Spotify for weekly podcast listeners
• smart TV adoption and what it means for podcast discovery and viewing
• AI audiobook narration research and how bias shifts after disclosure
• industry notes on Acast performance plus awards, events, and tooling

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This 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 Profitable’s role as connective tissue, partner perks, events access and comms support
• Measurement tension around downloads, 30-second plays, consumption and unified analytics
• HLS video implications for distribution, ad delivery and platform power
• Creator portals and diversified monetisation through subscriptions, merch and live events
• Podmasters at 10 years, diversification as risk control and lessons from near-failure
• Spotify video revenue upside versus Apple video cost concerns
• Research claims about AI narrators and why methodology matters
• One-off premium episode purchases and the friction problem
• Kids audio discovery and why curation still lags in major apps
• BBC podcast scale outside the UK and podcasts showing up on iPlayer 

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Sam'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 transcripts and podcast annotations with Ryan Williams, plus what OpenUSD could mean for micropayments and the future of paying creators. 
•Overcast downloads jumping year on year and the theories behind it 
•Apple Podcasts losing “top app” preference despite built-in advantages 
•Podcast video strategy, HLS video rollout, and what it means for distribution 
•Questions about Apple and Acast’s unusually tight alignment on video 
•OpenUSD stablecoins, programmable money, and why micropayments keep failing 
•Spotify advertising and the Amazon DSP pipeline for programmatic podcast ads 
•Bending Spoons’ IPO strategy and parallels with podcast rollups like PodX 
•Podcast growth outside the US, including Dubai’s Arab Podcast Programme 
•TVNZ Plus adding video podcasts and “cheap TV” dynamics 
•Industry moves at Libsyn and the departure of DOAC co-founder Jack Sylvester 
•British Podcast Awards longlist and the UK’s booming festival scene 
•Podcast Movement session voting, the upside and the popularity contest risk 
•Fifth anniversary of the first boostergram and the state of value-for-value 
•RSS Cloud v4, WebSub, and whether it can complement or replace Podping 
•Ryan Williams on podcast annotations, transcripts, entity extraction, and discovery 
•TrueFans product updates including cross-promo requests, gifting hosting, topic suggestions, and podroll requests 

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We'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-podnews

Today, we cover monetization workflows, the real trade-offs of video, and why captions and human trust still matter even as AI tooling spreads.

Buzzsprout's Co-Host AI feature tells us we spoke about:
• building sustainable systems for experienced creators and knowing when to pivot or stop 
• research on audience loyalty to creators across audio, video, clips, social and newsletters 
• practical realities of recording video and why audio often ships faster and cleaner 
• when video helps most as promotion rather than a full video podcast 
• Riverside’s rebuilt studio and the wider trend of all-in-one creator platforms 
• Captivate monetization, campaign management and dynamic insertion for ads or your own promos 
• YouTube’s share of TV viewing and what it signals for podcast discovery 
• Podcast Show London perspectives on video-first, omnichannel distribution and walled gardens 
• AI podcast ethics, audience backlash and the double standard around AI use 
• captions improving YouTube performance, accessibility and mute-first consumption 
• HLS video measurement questions and what stats can and cannot tell you 
• podcast apps, transcripts and why better show notes and highlighting matter 
• RSS feed ownership risks and why contracts should protect creators 

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(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 Atmos could change what “good” sounds like. 

• Netflix podcast strategy and why profitability beats time spent 
• Why premium platforms struggle with low-cost creator content 
• Late-night TV ad clutter as a warning for podcast ad loads 
• New York’s stealth crawler law and what it could mean for publishers 
• Plays versus downloads and the measurement standards shifting underneath 
• How digital identity and mobile ad IDs can reshape podcast ad targeting 
• Privacy trade-offs, probabilistic matching, and how opt-out really works 
• Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision basics for podcast and app developers 
• Practical guidance on episode length, editing, and avoiding fluff 
• RSS feed ownership as a non-negotiable contract question 
• Podcast discovery data pointing to YouTube and social media 
• Why podcast promos can work and when they annoy listeners 
• Product and platform updates including open source wins and CarPlay changes 

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Losh 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 better creator income, with practical advice for independents and nonprofits trying to build trust, outcomes, and sustainable revenue. 

• 30-second plays vs 60-second downloads and what hosting data shows 
• Why simplifying measurement helps but does not equal engagement 
• AMP definition changes, missing technical detail, and platform participation questions 
• The caching problem with HLS video and why server logs can mislead 
• Losh Moodley’s roadmap beyond CPMs: audience economy, exclusivity, outcome-based selling, trust over attention 
• Spam podcasts selling drugs and why link tracking matters 
• AI-generated podcast flooding, disclosure ethics, and search discoverability 
• VoxTopica on mission-driven podcasting, nonprofit success metrics, and when subscriptions can work 
• Listener trends, weekly listening hours, and why listen time is becoming the headline number 

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We 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.

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Sam 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.

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We 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 
• The “500 million video podcast” claim and why measurement matters 
• Real-time podcast Q&A on Spotify and the risk of AI hallucinations 
• Dynamic creator sponsorships and updating back catalogue ads 
• Spotify memberships as a Patreon and Supporting Cast rival, with big unanswered details 
• Verified by Spotify badges and why creators can’t control verification 
• Clipping tools and the tradeoff between shareability and platform lock-in 
• Why BIPOC Podcast Creators closes, after a year of exploring options 
• How funding, layoffs, and politics change corporate support 
• The case for protecting indie creators and the industry’s long-term health 
• Apple Podcasts plus Audible subscription access and why verification matters 
• YouTube’s podcasts hub, top fans, and clearer AI content labels 
• Private feed security problems and why standards need to move faster 
• Direct Flow Auto Discover RSS and QR code discovery for podcasts 

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We're sponsored by Buzzsprout; their CoHost summary tool made these show notes.

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We chat with Rox Codes from Flightcast, talk about the 'cavalcade of crap' from AI, and spill all the tea on a successful show.

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Amazon 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 tech trade-offs 
• Acast’s “first to monetise” claim plus how hosts are responding to Apple’s approach 
• Podvision’s 500,000-download season and the practical launch levers: concept clarity, packaging, artwork and timing 
• AI disclosure labels from film and TV and why podcast platforms still do not enforce clear standards 
• Inception Point AI moving to Spotify Megaphone and the lack of AI labelling in show metadata 
• Video podcast consumption realities across platforms and what the data says about concentration 
• Niche podcasts outperforming on relevance even when they lose on raw scale 
• UK industry recognition, car dashboards and the unanswered question of who speaks for podcasting 
• Up Next app: serverless design, on-device features, open source code and transcript challenges 
• Pod News adds video detection on Apple Podcasts plus a new podroll atlas for recommendations 

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Apple 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 Podcasts video rollout and why HLS matters for typical podcasters. We interview Alban Brooke. 
• Captivate and Podigee also launched this week. We take a look at their data.
• Plus, Spotify video distribution risks including permanent RSS replacement and hosting-provider lock-in, according to at least one host's description
• London Podcast Show highlights with networking stages speakers and parties - we interview Jason Carter
• Fountain’s music on RSS using the medium tag publisher feeds value-for-value licensing and live item workflows - we speak with Oscar Merry.

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Are 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 Batella on a taxonomy for AI podcasts and why health misinformation raises the stakes 
• Why RSS feed AI disclosure matters plus the “substance test” at shouldidisclose.ai 
• EU AI Act implications for podcast transparency and compliance 
• Apple enforcement questions and why trust is the asset at risk 
• Spotify Q1 results and what declining ad revenue signals for creators 
• Libsyn’s video distribution to Spotify and the practical costs of big MP4 files 

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Spotify’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.

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AI 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 what that signals for the podcast industry
• a copycat studio mimicking titles and artwork to siphon first listens and ad revenue
• why near-copy metadata can evade simple copyright and trademark complaints
• passing off, Lanham Act angles, and what lawyers say is actionable
• DMCA designated agents for directories and hosts, and why safe harbour matters
• trademarking a podcast name as a defensive move
• Inception Point AI scale publishing hundreds of new shows per day and the risk of low-care health content
• how programmatic advertising pays out on impressions even when listeners bounce fast
• Podcast Index new feeds report and spam API as a filter for apps without deleting research data
• Netflix podcasts early viewing stats and how measurement differs from traditional podcast metrics
• YouTube leading in monthly active podcast users globally, and what that means for platforms
• industry roundup across Canada, Iran, Ukraine, Vietnam, and sports creator networks
• product and platform updates across Overcast, Libsyn, Spotify, and Google
• listener boosts, sats, and how we share support revenue

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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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Send James & Sam a message

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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

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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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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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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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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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Wondery has bought New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce. Sam and James look at the deal and wonder how much of it is Taylor Swift related... plus we hear from someone celebrating her 18th year in podcasting: Grammar Girl's Mignon Fogarty. Find out how podcasting has changed and whether video is a good thing really.

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James wanders about at Podcast Movement while chatting with Sam about the latest podcasting news. 

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We chat with Dan Misener from Bumper about the new Bumper Dashboard and a different way to measure your podcast success.

And with Joe Tannorella from Pod Engine, about his new podcast tool.

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Join us this week as we reveal the fascinating details behind Lower Street's acquisition of Pacific Content. We sit down with Harry Morton, who shares his admiration for Pacific Content's creative work and how this acquisition is set to reshape the branded podcast industry. We also discuss how the integration of these two powerhouse brands will foster innovation while maintaining their unique identities.

And we chat with Andrew Mason of Descript into the past, present and future of Descript, the revolutionary podcast production tool.

https://extra.podnews.net/ for more from Andrew - including his funding journey and some of his plans for where the product goes next.

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James talks with Micah Engle-Eshleman, who is building an adblocking podcast app that supports the podcast creators. Good thing? Dreadful idea? We'd be interested in your comments, via fanmail or a boostagram.

Plus, Manan Bhalodia from SuperProducer.ai talks to us about "Quickie", his company's AI-generated newsaggregation podcast, and what the future might bring; and Daniel Ek talks about the future of podcasting on Spotify.

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Unlock the secrets to smart podcasting as we explore game-changing developments in the industry! Get ready for a deep dive into Libsyn's leadership shake-up, the buzz around Lemonada Media's possible sale, and Overcast's latest update. PRS UK's groundbreaking podcast music license is also on the agenda, promising to streamline music usage for creators. Gordon Firemark, the podcast lawyer, joins us to break down these new licensing regulations and their broader implications, making this episode a must-listen for anyone serious about podcasting.

Copyright complexities and AI's controversial role in content creation take center stage as we discuss Mustafa Suleiman's stance on web scraping and how tools like Cloudflare’s AI blocker are changing the game. The importance of explicitly stating licensing terms with Creative Commons licenses is emphasized to keep podcasters out of legal hot water. Firemark sheds light on fair use, helping you navigate the grey areas of content creation and legal boundaries with confidence.

Discover how advanced AI tools can elevate your podcast ads and listener experience. From AIcoustics' new audio enhancement tool to Eleven Labs' voice isolation technology, we cover the innovations transforming podcasting today. We also delve into regional accents in ads, the latest trends in podcast app platforms, and the shift to progressive web apps. Plus, get the latest scoop on the Australian podcast ranker and notable exits at Libsyn. This episode is packed with expert insights and timely updates to keep you ahead in the ever-evolving world of podcasting.

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This week, James is joined by Neal Veglio from Podknows Podcasting - https://podknowspodcasting.co.uk/

We speak with Pary Bell from https://www.thepodcastexchange.ca/ and talk about YouTube being #1 (is it?) and Spotify's new Comments feature.

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The latest news and trends in the podcasting industry. In this episode, we discuss Spotify's growing video podcast platform, Buzzsprout's website redesign, the debate around the future of free podcasts, and the podcast landscape in Egypt as explored by guest Kim Fox, the "Podcast Professor" at the American University in Cairo. We also touch on developments in podcast monetization, translation tools, and upcoming industry events like Podcast Day Asia and Podcast Movement. This fast-paced, insider look at the world of podcasting provides valuable insights for both seasoned and aspiring creators.

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In this episode, hosts James Cridland and Sam Sethi discuss Buzzsprout's new Android app, the New York Times putting podcasts behind a paywall, the fate of Google Podcasts, and YouTube adding a podcasts page. They also interview Alban Brooke from Buzzsprout about the company's podcast hosting platform and new shows, and Russell Harrower from PodToo. Additionally, the hosts cover events in the podcasting world, including Podcast Movement and Podcast Asia, as well as discuss topics like podcast transcription, monetization, and the growing Podcasting 2.0 community. Throughout the conversation, the hosts provide insights, analysis, and commentary on the evolving podcast landscape.

(Description via kagi.com/fastgpt)

Interviews in full in our Podnews Extra podcast.

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Libsyn's integrated with YouTube's API - what does that mean? Plus, Kendall from Riverside spills the beans on the new features, and interviews with Theo Gadd from PodLife Events and Nathan Gathright from episodes.fm

Longer interviews are in the Podnews Extra podcast feed, if you want to learn more.

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We speak with Kevin Y Brown and Jon Savage about the podcast landscape in Africa. Those interviews are in full in the Podnews Extra feed. Also, Spotify's video ambitions, and Alby's removal of support for users in the US causes some concern for the future of streaming sats.

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From an airport lounge in New York, we hear about Descript's new version, and rumours in the industry...

What do you think about our new shorter length? Give us feedback using fanmail or our contacts below.

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We interview Ellie from Pocket Casts on the future direction of the podcast app; Matthew from Platform Media on why the company was acquired by PodX; and talk about the closure of Pacific Content.

We're trying something new this week: trying to bring down the duration of this podcast to 45 minutes. Haven't quite succeeded yet, but we're on the way; that means shorter edits of interviews, and a more focused story selection. Please give feedback to us (fanmail, boosts, email) with your thoughts on the format and how we can improve.

If you like the interviews and want to hear the full conversation, head to the Podnews Extra podcast.

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Interviews with Canadaland and Wavlake. Details about Spotify’s new consumption data. An exclusive of Canadaland’s new podcast brand. Boosts, fan mail and more. 

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Our first week with Buzzsprout's new fanmail product was surprisingly good. We look into that, as well as the latest news - including the IAB numbers out of the US.

We've chapters in all standards-supporting podcast players.


Here are the chapters for Anton who listens in Spotify and needs a better podcast player

00:00:00 PWRMay10
00:00:52 IAB post smaller than expected numbers
00:06:46 Acast results are out
00:11:35 Buzzsprout fanmail one week on
00:22:11 The platform of the future?
00:34:39 Mamamia's Sam
00:40:08 IAB v2.2
00:42:28 Round the world
00:48:26 Events
01:09:06 Sam and James's week

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Including Kevin Finn from Buzzsprout and Mark Asquith from Captivate.

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We chat with Kathryn Musilek from Shark Party Media about podcast guesting; with Acast's CEO, Ross Adams, about Acast's tenth birthday, and wonder whether Spotify's exist from the IAB (and IAB certification) is a mistake.

What do you like or not like about this episode? We'd love to hear from you. weekly@podnews.net will find us both, or if you're using a modern podcast app, hit that boost button.

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We speak to Georgie and Christiana from Flight Studio, Steven Bartlett’s modest entry into the podcast space; James Allen of Media Disco and the dynamic Anu Bhardwaj of SHEQONOMI. 

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Sam and James also talk mowPod and plenty of other bits about the week's news.

If you get value from this show, give us value - share this show, or send some sats!

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We're live in Los Angeles - and we interview Gautam Raj Anand from Hubhopper about podcasting in India.

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We interview Blubrry's Todd Cochrane about his new Vid2Pod tool; and chat with RedCircle's  Mike Kadin about OpenRAP. Plus, the BBC's podcast strategy.

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We interview Evan Prodromou on ActivityPub - and catch up with Gretchen Smith from Ad Results Media about ARM Pro.

James also helpfully wades into the "preloading audio" argument that's consumed podcastindex.social over the last week.

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In the chapters today...

Sam chats with Gretta Cohn about Pushkin's future plans

James chats with Alban Brooke about Buzzsprout's iOS app

Apple's transcripts, and YouTube Music's firings

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We talk:

• Podcast Search Optimisation,
• New IAB guidelines
• Court cases, and lots more

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James and Sam are at The Pod in Brisbane - https://edgestudio.productions/the-pod/ - to cover what's been going on this week in podcasting.

This week - an interview with Stew Redwine on what makes a good podcast ad; Anthony Nwaneri on his podcast Why Your Podcast Isn't Growing - and Sam gets some rants off his chest. Buckle up!

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While Sam wanders around Australia, James interviews David Locke from the Locked On Podcast Network on how they use SMS to make more loyal listeners; and Amelia Coomber from Podscribe on new data for podcast advertising.

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James is joined this week by Dave Jones of the Podcast Index. https://podcastindex.org/

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We talk with Wondercraft AI's Oskar Serrander, and Sam and James talk about the week's news in podcasting. Also, something fun from Buzzsprout.

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We discuss Rob and Elsie's criticism of Podcasting 2.0; the Digital Markets Act in Europe and what that means for podcasting; and Alby's outage. (This is a re-upload without 30 minutes of silence, d'oh)

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We speak with Andy Goldsmith from Adelicious; Sam starts singing old 1980s TV commercials; and has a bit of a rant about some data.

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Step into the future of podcasting with us as we unwrap the latest industry shifts and ponder whether tracking total listening hours trumps download counts. We're joined by Kevin Smith, CEO and co-founder of Snipd, for an exclusive look at his AI-driven app that's changing the way we listen to podcasts. 

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James and Sam look back at our predictions for 2023. How many did we get right? We also look at our highlights and lowlights of the year.

Then, we give our predictions for 2024! At least one of them won't come as a surprise.

We're back next week - 12th January 2024 -  with our first full show of the year.

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Highlights of 2023, and predictions for 2024, from our friends. Including:

Jennifer Han from Ausha
Brett Spencer from City University of London
Mark Asquith from Captivate
Dave Jones from the Podcast Index
Lauren Passell from Tink Media
Skye Pillsbury from The Squeeze
Arielle Nissenblatt from Descript
Sandy Warr from City University of London
Lizzy Pollott from Acast
Melissa Kiesche from Edison Research
Kathy Doyle
Elsie Escobar from Libsyn
Nayeema Raza from Vox Media
Memo Nuñez from RSS.com
Kyrin Down from Mere Mortals
Marie Le Roux
Alex Sadikov
Khudania Ajay
Rockie Thomas from SoundStack
Sophie Hind from Voiceworks Sport
Ross Adams from Acast

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Ever considered what your attention is worth when you indulge in the latest podcast episode? You might just find out as we compare the value of podcast content with the likes of Netflix and Spotify, suggesting a fair satoshi range that listeners could shell out per minute of audio bliss. With podcasting's landscape constantly shifting, we're joined by Edward Brawer, CEO of Podcast AI, to delve into how automation and AI tools are spicing up content creation and answering listener queries with flair. Fountain's co-founder, Oscar Merry, also drops by to share the exciting new updates of the Fountain 1.0 app, which promises to elevate user experience and listener engagement to new heights.

In our conversation with Edward, we unearth the prospect of B2B opportunities within the bustling podcast business, discussing the recent expansion moves by Podcast AI and the potential of pre-production support using AI technology. On the flip side, we're also looking into Spotify's foray into audiobooks and how their latest venture might shape the industry's future. Plus, we give a hat tip to Kate Cocker's "Everyday Positivity" for her 2000th episode and her charitable efforts with UNICEF, and we travel the world in a round-up of global podcast happenings—from Adalicious's new US representation to the rise of erotic podcasts in Germany.

Wrapping up, we tackle the evolution of podcasting tools with updates on Activity Pub support, Blueberry's Value Block Time Splits, and Libsyn's commitment to Podcasting 2.0. As we recount the year's predictions and set our sights on the future, we leave you with a treasure trove of insights to mull over during our short break. Remember, the Weekly Review is just around the corner, so stay tuned for the freshest scoop on the podcasting realm. Join us for this episode that's bursting at the seams with innovation, inspiration, and a good measure of introspection.

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(description from Buzzsprout's CoHost AI feature)

Can you imagine receiving a bill for using an image without a license? James doesn't have to imagine it, and he’s here to share his harrowing copyright enforcement encounter that could have major implications for all podcast directories globally. We also dare to dissect the recent turmoil at Spotify, a giant in the podcasting industry, grappling with workforce layoffs and the shuttering of popular podcasts. 

Special guest, Rachael King, CEO of Pod People, gives us an inside look at her journey from starting her company to securing high-profile clients such as HBO and Netflix, and underlines the importance of social media in promoting podcasts. Ever wondered how to measure success in podcasting? We navigate the tricky world of podcast marketing and measurement, shedding light on the rise of new services and metrics that matter in this industry. 

Finally, we tackle link management tools for podcasts, putting a spotlight on LinkFire, and introducing you to Podgagement, a platform designed to turbo-boost podcast growth. Hear straight from Daniel J Lewis, the creator of Podgagement, about the exciting features of his newly launched platform. We wrap it all up by casting an eye over recent podcasting news and updates, offering reflections on the state of the industry, the challenges we face, and the opportunities that are ripe for the picking. Join us for an enlightening journey through the podcasting universe!

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We talk to Anna Sian from Spotify; Christiana Cromer from Descript; and Neil Mody from Headliner.

"Use the chapters, Luke."

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We start with a dive into the stormy waves stirred up by Good Pods and the backlash against their AI-generated descriptions, our discussion provides a rich exploration of this hot topic. We're thrilled to be joined by Brendan Mulligan, the brain behind PodPage, who enlightens us on integrating podcasting 2.0 features, and Lisa Jacobs from AdResults Media, our expert guide on brand safety in podcast advertising.

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Ever wonder how a podcast episode gets broadcasted live? Alberto Betella, co-founder of RSSCom, will let you in on the secret from the recent Podcom MX event in Mexico. We'll traverse the exciting challenges and triumphs of using the live item tag for broadcasting in the first podcasting-only event live-streamed in Mexico. And that's not all, we'll also groove to the tunes of the music scene with Ainsley Costello, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter, who spills the beans about her upcoming events.

Advancements in podcasting are gaining momentum, and YouTube is not being left behind. Step into the world of RSS ingestion tools and how YouTube is bolstering support for podcasts via RSS feeds on its Music app. But it's not all tech talks; we bring to light the ongoing court case between the National Association of Deaf and SiriusXM and ponder over its potential impact on the podcasting industry and ADA law. Plus, we've got some thrilling news about the forthcoming live shows at the iconic First Avenue in Minneapolis which promise to be a technological marvel.

In the final segment, we dive into the nitty-gritty of podcast tech. Discover Antenna Pod's new person feature, the proposed removal of podcast images namespace value and the potential of the alternate enclosure tag. We talk about the importance of tags in podcasting and how the alternate enclosure tag is revolutionizing audio and video switching in podcast apps. And for all you podcast creators who value your privacy, we share a fail-safe method for protecting your email address in RSS feeds using podprotectemail.com. So, plug in your earphones and get ready for an enlightening episode filled with incredible insights!

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Ever wondered how AI can lend a helping hand in podcasting? Stay tuned as we unfurl the fascinating features of Buzzsprout's new AI assistant, Co-Host - a revolutionary tool that can significantly streamline your podcasting process, and even add transcripts to your episodes! We'll shed light on the cost of incorporating this innovation into your Buzzsprout package and examine the progress of the Podcast Standards Project. 

Get ready for a treat this week as we introduce Podhome, an intelligent platform for creating, hosting, and distributing podcasts. Our special guest, Barry Luijbregts, the founder, and lead developer of Podhome, offers his invaluable insights into AI suggestions, support for music shows, and many more exciting aspects of this platform. Plus, we'll take a critical look at the problems that plague podcast RSS feeds and suggest ways to improve them. 

We'll round up this week's episode with a discussion on the latest industry updates, including an end to Coronacast, one of Australia's most popular podcasts, and the first podcast acquisition by Tenderfoot TV. Additionally, we'll jog through a review of the latest audio tools released this week, such as Audio Hijack's transcription module and Spooler's location-based audio discovery tool. Lastly, we'll touch on PodCon MX, the first-ever live-streamed podcast conference, and how it ran successfully. So saddle up for an exciting journey into the universe of podcasting!

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The new features of RSS Blue for music podcasters and how they can leverage this platform to monetize their art - and lots more!

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Sam and James chat about Spotify's surprise profit; and we interview Caloroga Shark Media, a company producing short-form podcasts.

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Buzzsprout's AI writes:

"Get ready to unravel the power of YouTube in the podcasting realm with none other than @GeneBean, a part-time podcaster and home automation enthusiast. This episode is all about the major shake-ups and surprising insights in the podcasting industry with the massive entry of YouTube. Join us as we decipher the new rules of YouTube's podcasting game where advertising takes a back seat and hear from Gene about his intriguing journey into podcasting.

We're also privileged to host Steve Goldstein and Jay Nachlis whose study on YouTube's role in podcasting has brought some fascinating revelations to light. Have you ever wondered why YouTube is the most popular platform for podcast consumption? Or why there is a distinct difference between younger and older audiences' podcast consumption habits? Get answers to this and more, as we explore the importance of understanding your audience before deciding to use YouTube for your podcast."

Volunteer Technologist: https://podnews.net/podcast/iae6i
Follow Gene on the fediverse: @genebean@fosstodon.org
We're at @podnews@social.podnews.net

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We talk with Todd Cochrane of Blubrry about the last 19 years of podcasting, and the future.

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Revel in the thrill of the ever-evolving podcasting industry! Brace yourself for an exciting episode as we dive into Spotify's latest news including the introduction of audiobooks and time synced transcripts to their platform. We'll also discuss Google's grand departure and the buzz surrounding the British and Australian Podcast Awards. This is your one-stop-shop for all the latest in podcasting!

Turn your attention to the north as we venture into a critical discussion on Canada's new podcast regulations imposed by the CRTC. Explore with us the potential impacts on content creators and streaming services in the Maple Leaf country. Get a closer peek at the future of streaming services as we delve into the concept of attention metrics. As a cherry on top, we'll raise a toast to Quill's astounding stride as one of Canada's fastest-growing companies. 

Finally, we'll put a spotlight on the winners of the Black Podcasting Awards, the Spark Media Awards and more. And don't forget the exhilarating success of Podnews Live, the burgeoning podcast audience in Italy and Nigeria, and the latest personnel changes at VoiceWorks. So buckle up for an enlightening journey into the heart of podcasting!

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Google Podcasts to close; too soon?

Plus Melissa Kiesche, Senior Vice President at Edison Research, who unveils the meticulous process behind gathering listener data, providing us with a fresh perspective on the US and UK podcast charts and some exclusive data.

And, we'll take a sobering look at the potential dangers linked to headphone usage - a topic every podcaster should be aware of. 

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Ready to elevate your podcasting knowledge? Our latest episode is a deep dive into the evolving world of Apple Podcasts and Acast, promising to enhance your understanding of the industry's latest developments. We explore Apple's new Episode Art feature in their iOS 17 update and discuss the layoffs at Sony Music's podcast division.

What's the buzz about Acast's strategic decision to not accept campaigns using Spotify's ad analytics? We unpack Acast's newly formed partnership with PodScribe and discuss how it underlines the importance of maintaining independence and objectivity when measuring and reporting on campaigns. We also delve into Acast's deal with PodScribe and its implications for podcast brand safety and contextual targeting - something every podcaster needs to be aware of.

Finally, we cover a range of industry updates and news. From a spine-chilling Australian horror film about podcasting to the unveiling of Edison Research's upcoming Latino podcast listener report. Plus, we analyze recent appointments in the podcasting industry and discuss the controversy surrounding Russell Brand.

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Good news from podcasting as downloads are up; and Podcast One gets onto the NASDAQ.

Plus, we've an interview with Naomi Mellor, and for some reason, start talking about Bruno Brookes.

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In the chapters (use them!)

Every industry has its rising stars, and ours is no different. Meet Ainsley Costello, the 19-year-old independent artist who is brilliantly navigating the modern music industry and the new value for value trend. Costello gets real about her experiences, the pushback from the music industry, and her own unique take on the future of music as she ventures into the crypto space. We also hear from Wavlake's Sam Mean.

Greg Glenday, Acast's new  Chief Business Officer, also talks to us; and Sam and James take a look at the stories from Podnews.

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