🎙️ This Week in Podcasting: Spotify Celebrates Milestones, Live Shows Dominate Super Bowl Week, and TV Adaptations Make Headlines

The podcasting landscape is hitting new highs. Joe Rogan and Crime Junkie are smashing streaming records, while Spotify’s Creator Milestone Awards mark a turning point in industry recognition. The Rest Is History is making the leap to television, and Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy is taking its brand to YouTube. Meanwhile, Super Bowl week is turning into a podcasting spectacle, with live shows featuring A-list talent.

Here’s what’s shaping the industry this week.

—Casey Adams
Founder, Listener.com

Spotify’s Creator Milestone Awards: A New Era for Global Podcast Recognition

Spotify unveiled its first-ever Creator Milestone Awards, shining a spotlight on the extraordinary achievements of podcasters around the world.

What You Need to Know:

• Honoring Excellence: The awards celebrate podcast creators who’ve hit major milestones in audience reach and impact.

• A Global Celebration: This marks a key moment in recognizing podcasting’s contributions to entertainment and culture worldwide.

• Innovation in Focus: From true crime to comedy, these creators are reshaping how stories are told.

Why It Matters:

Spotify’s move to celebrate podcast milestones reflects the increasing influence of audio storytelling and the medium’s power to connect audiences across the globe.

Joe Rogan and ‘Crime Junkie’ Break Spotify Records With Over 500 Million All-Time Streams

Spotify’s podcasting dominance reached new heights as Joe Rogan and ‘Crime Junkie’ crossed 500 million all-time streams, earning top honors in the platform’s inaugural Podcaster Milestone Awards.

What You Need to Know:

• A Record-Breaking Milestone: Joe Rogan and ‘Crime Junkie’ are now in an elite category, solidifying their positions as leaders in the podcasting world.

• Spotify’s Big First: The Podcaster Milestone Awards recognize creators who’ve reached historic benchmarks, celebrating the medium’s growth.

• Cultural Relevance: Podcasts continue to dominate global entertainment, proving their staying power.

Why It Matters:

This moment underscores the immense potential of podcasting as a platform for storytelling and cultural influence. By honoring these trailblazing creators, Spotify reaffirms that the industry’s biggest players are only getting bigger.

MoonPay Sponsors Network Behind Theo Von, 'Full Send' Podcasts

MoonPay, a major player in cryptocurrency, has recently announced its sponsorship of the network behind the Theo Von and 'Full Send' podcasts. This partnership highlights how the worlds of tech, finance, and entertainment continue to intersect within the podcasting space.

What You Need to Know:

• Crypto in the Spotlight: The involvement of MoonPay in podcast sponsorship shows how financial technology is making its mark on mainstream media.

• Influence and Reach: Podcasters with large followings are a key audience for emerging brands looking to expand their reach.

• The New Age of Sponsorships: Financial brands are increasingly using podcasts as a strategic way to advertise and engage with tech-savvy audiences.

Why It Matters:

This sponsorship exemplifies the growing trend of cross-industry collaborations, where companies in emerging fields like cryptocurrency are turning to podcasts to boost visibility and credibility. It’s another example of how podcasting is at the crossroads of culture, business, and tech.

‘The Rest Is History’ Podcast is Headed to TV

In a significant podcast-to-screen move, the hit show ‘The Rest Is History’ is set to be adapted into a television series by Wheelhouse and Goalhanger, with involvement from sports legend Gary Lineker.

What You Need to Know:

• Podcast Meets TV: ‘The Rest Is History’ will bring its compelling historical storytelling to a visual format.

• Crossover Success: This adaptation highlights the growing demand for podcasts as source material for TV and film.

• Big Names on Board: The project brings together podcast creators and industry heavyweights to bridge the gap between audio and visual storytelling.

Why It Matters:

This development marks yet another step in podcasting’s evolution, proving that the most engaging audio stories can seamlessly transition to the screen and capture new audiences.

Alex Cooper’s ‘Call Her Daddy’ Shifts to YouTube Video

Alex Cooper’s ‘Call Her Daddy’ is making a bold move, shifting its video episodes from Spotify to YouTube to expand its reach and audience interaction.

What You Need to Know:

• Platform Change: The podcast’s video content is heading to YouTube, signaling a new phase in its distribution.

• Broader Access: This shift allows fans to connect with the podcast in a more open and accessible format.

• Industry Trend: Creators are increasingly exploring new platforms to maximize audience engagement and control.

Why It Matters:

This platform migration illustrates the podcasting world’s dynamic nature, where creators leverage distribution strategies to grow their audiences and deepen their connections.

Live Podcast Shows Take Center Stage at the Super Bowl

Heading to New Orleans for the Super Bowl? Don’t miss the Playmaker pod party, featuring live podcast recordings with Shaquille O’Neal, Marshawn Lynch, and guest appearances by Shane Gillis and more.

What You Need to Know:

• Star Power: Athletes, comedians, and podcasters will take the stage for live, interactive shows.

• A Unique Event: This blend of sports and podcasting offers a new way to experience the medium.

• Engaged Fans: Podcasting is evolving into live, community-driven events that deepen connections.

Why It Matters:

Live podcasting events like this showcase the medium’s ability to create immersive, unforgettable experiences for fans while bringing podcast stars into the limelight.

This week, we’re spotlighting the power of collaboration through our most engaging posts on the Listener.com Instagram page. Here are three standout moments that captured the attention of our community:

Want more podcasting insights? Follow us on Instagram @listener for the latest news, trends, and collaborations shaping the industry.

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Until next week, keep listening.

—The Listener.com Team