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🎙️ Dax Shepard's $80M Amazon Deal, Spotify's New Comments Feature, and Acquired's Arena Show with Mark Zuckerberg

Dive into this week’s biggest podcasting news and updates

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Listener.com
July 12, 2024

Featured Partner of the Week

Happy Friday! It’s been another thrilling week in the podcasting world! From Dax Shepard signing an $80 million deal with Amazon’s Wondery, to Joe Rogan announcing his return to stand-up comedy with a new special, and the Acquired podcast planning an arena show with Mark Zuckerberg, this week is packed with captivating stories and industry news.

If you’re new here, our goal with this newsletter is to bridge the gap between podcast industry news and culturally relevant moments happening in the world of podcasting. Thank you for subscribing! If you enjoy this newsletter, share it with a friend and let's keep building together!

With gratitude,

Casey Adams
Founder, Listener.com

🎧 Podcasting News & Highlights

Discover the Latest Trends, Exclusive Interviews, and Industry Updates

'Armchair Expert' Podcast Host Dax Shepard Signs $80 Million Deal With Amazon 

Photo via Getty Images

Amazon's Wondery has entered into an exclusive distribution and ad-sales deal with Dax Shepard for his renowned "Armchair Expert" podcast. Valued at approximately $80 million, this deal covers not only the podcast’s distribution but also the development of new shows and merchandise.

This partnership will see Wondery, Shepard, and the "Armchair Expert" team co-developing and producing two new podcasts and one livestream per year. Wondery will also have the first-look option for any additional podcasts created by Shepard.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Shepard stated, “I could not be more excited about making Wondery our home.” He praised Wondery CEO Jen Sargent and her team for their commitment to quality and creativity, calling Wondery the HBO of the podcasting world. “The Wondery logo actually means something. We are extremely excited to join forces and bring fresh new content to listeners around the world.”

This significant deal exemplifies the growing trend of high-profile podcasters securing substantial partnerships with major platforms, highlighting the expanding influence of the podcasting industry. At Listener.com, we see this as a strong indicator of the industry's future, and we are excited to see the innovative content that will emerge from this collaboration. Learn more.

Acquired Podcast to Host Arena Show with Mark Zuckerberg at Chase Center

The Acquired podcast has just announced an exciting event: an arena show at San Francisco's Chase Center on September 10th, featuring none other than Mark Zuckerberg. Thanks to their partner and sponsor, JP Morgan Chase, the leading sponsor of this hit business podcast, this incredible event is coming to life.

The trend of podcasts hosting live shows is heating up, with many podcasters using live events to connect more deeply with their audiences. This announcement takes it to the next level, as arenas are now being sold out by podcasters. Bobbi Altoff recently went on tour with Funny Marco after her breakout hit show, and the #1 live podcast in the world, "Kill Tony," is scheduled to appear at Madison Square Garden on August 9th.

At Listener.com, we are firm believers in the power and potential of live podcasting events to foster stronger connections between podcasters and their audiences. Read More.

Alex Cooper Takes Center Stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Photo via NBC10

Alex Cooper, the brain behind "Call Her Daddy" (CHD) and the Unwell Network, is now the host for NBC’s 2024 Paris Olympics coverage. Cooper launched CHD in 2018 under Barstool Sports, focusing on sex and relationships, and quickly saw the podcast soar on Apple and Spotify. By 2021, she secured a $60 million exclusive deal with Spotify, evolving CHD into a show featuring interviews on politics and women's empowerment.

Last summer, Cooper debuted her media brand Trending and talent management company Unwell, signing creators like Alix Earle and Madeline Argy. Now, Cooper will host "Watch With Alex Cooper" on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform, bringing celebrity guests to commentate live on the games. NBC’s Molly Solomon sees Cooper as a perfect fit, connecting young women, a major demographic for both Cooper’s audience and Olympic viewers. “We know that women in their 20s are watching less TV, but they’re on their phones, social media, and listening to podcasts,” Solomon said. “How do we turn them into Olympic fans?” Cooper, a former college soccer player and TV sports producer’s daughter, is the answer.

With her Spotify exclusivity over, Cooper is building her empire. She recently hosted a sold-out event with the Boston Red Sox and added Hallie Batchelder and comedian Owen Thiele to Unwell. The Wall Street Journal reports she’s also pursuing a $100 million podcast distribution deal. Learn more.

Acast Enters Japanese Market Through Partnership with Otonal

Photo via Adtech Today

Acast, the world’s largest podcast company, has officially expanded into the Japanese market through a strategic partnership with Japan's premier digital audio advertising agency, Otonal, Inc. This alliance amplifies Acast’s global footprint, meeting the rising demands from advertisers and creators in Japan with innovative podcast advertising solutions.

With the Japanese podcast advertising market projected to reach nearly $69 million by the end of this year, this collaboration will make Acast’s extensive catalog of 125,000 podcasts accessible to the Japanese market. Local brands will gain access to globally-acclaimed content from the Financial Times, The Guardian, and History Hit. Additionally, it will create a transpacific bridge, allowing Otonal to introduce Japanese advertisers to Acast’s expansive global audience, significantly enhancing cross-market growth and engagement.

Acast's move into Japan marks a pivotal step in its global expansion, following successful launches in Spain and Singapore and a recent partnership in the Middle East. Founded in 2014, Acast has built the world's most valuable podcast marketplace, connecting creators, advertisers, and listeners with nearly 400 million monthly listens across any podcasting app or platform. This partnership underscores Acast's unique capability to integrate and elevate markets worldwide. Read more.

Spotify Launches Comments Feature for Podcasts

Photo via Spotify

Spotify is rolling out a new Comments feature for podcasts, allowing creators to interact directly with their listeners. This enhancement builds on the Q&A and polls functionality introduced in 2021, which has seen significant engagement. Over 9 million unique listeners have participated in Q&As or polls this year, with an 80% increase in responses.

Creators can now manage listener feedback more efficiently using the new Spotify for Podcasters mobile app, which offers real-time stats and audience interaction tools. Ben Wilson, creator of "How to Take Over the World," highlights the value of this feature in building stronger connections with his audience. Listeners can now comment directly on podcast episodes, making the experience more interactive and rewarding for both creators and fans. Read more.

Joe Rogan Returns to Stand-Up with Live Comedy Special "Burn the Boats"

Joe Rogan, widely recognized as the host of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, is returning to his stand-up roots with his first comedy special in six years, Joe Rogan: Burn the Boats. Known for his work on Fear Factor and as a UFC commentator, Rogan is a seasoned stand-up comedian with over 30 years of experience. This new special will be taped live at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio and marks his seventh hour-long special.

Rogan’s return to stand-up highlights how podcasters can leverage their platforms for major media moments. As the host of one of the world’s most popular podcasts, Rogan has built a massive following that supports his ventures across different media. This move adds to Netflix’s impressive lineup of live comedy specials. Read More

 đź“° Press-Worthy Moments

Welcome to our new newsletter segment, "Press-Worthy Moments." With so much happening in the podcasting world, we want to highlight the can't-miss news. Here’s what’s making waves this week:

Have news to share? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected] to get featured!

🎧 Must-Listen Podcasts

Hot picks to kickstart your weekend…

Kevin Durant on Impaulsive


IShowSpeed and Kevin Durant join the crew to discuss basketball, handling Twitter trolls, ranking the NBA's top players, and much more.

Rob Dial on On Purpose with Jay Shetty


Join Rob Dial, host of the Mindset Mentor Podcast and author of "Level Up". joins Jay Shetty.

Group Chat


Chris "Drama" Pfaff and Dee Murthy break down the week's biggest news in pop culture, tech, politics, and more.

Partner Spotlight

We are thrilled to introduce our newest partner, Acast, the world’s largest podcast company. Acast connects nearly 125,000 podcasts with audiences globally, offering a diverse catalog of high-quality content.

About Acast

Since 2014, Acast has been creating the world’s most valuable podcast marketplace, building the technology that connects podcast creators, advertisers, and listeners. Its marketplace spans nearly 125,000 podcasts, 2,700 advertisers, and approximately 400 million monthly listens. Crucially, those listens are monetized wherever they happen - across any podcasting app or other listening platform.

The company operates worldwide and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Acast is listed on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (ACAST.ST).

For podcasters looking to grow and monetize their shows, we highly recommend checking out Acast. Their innovative technology and extensive reach make them an invaluable partner in the podcasting world. Learn more.

đź”— Stay Connected

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With gratitude,

Casey Adams
Founder & CEO, Listener.com

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