Before we dive into this week’s newsletter, we’d love to hear from you! Reply to this email and share your thoughts—whether it’s feedback, ideas, or simply what resonates most with you. Your insights help us evolve and improve our reporting to better serve this incredible podcasting community. We’re grateful for every piece of feedback as we continue building a resource that brings you the latest in podcasting with clarity and impact. Now let’s dive in.

This Week in Podcasting: We’re capturing the pulse of an industry that’s officially gone mainstream. Podcasting is no longer just a participant in media—it’s leading the conversation. This week, from groundbreaking rebrands to strategic partnerships and innovative new shows, we’re spotlighting the latest shifts that are setting the stage for the future of audio and video content. The momentum is undeniable, and creators are at the helm, pushing the boundaries of audience engagement, monetization, and storytelling.

Get ready to explore what’s making waves and how podcasting is continuing to reshape the media landscape in real-time.

With gratitude,
Casey Adams, Founder of Listener.com

Spotify Unveils Uninterrupted Video Podcasts, Audience-Driven Payments, and New Creator Platform

Live from Spotify’s LA campus, Spotify has rolled out a series of updates designed to help creators grow their audiences and enhance monetization for video podcasts. The event, known as “Now Playing,” featured Spotify’s top executives and showcased the company’s vision for video content on the platform.

• Audience-Driven Payouts and Ad-Free Video for Premium Subscribers
  Creators can now earn through a new audience-driven payout model based on Premium video consumption, offering a revenue stream beyond ads. Premium users will also enjoy ad-free video podcasts, creating a seamless viewing experience.

• Spotify Partner Program Launches for New Monetization Options
  The new Partner Program enables creators to monetize both audio and video content on Spotify. This model provides access to revenue from both ad-based and Premium audience-driven payouts, further supporting content creators.

• Expanding Video Capabilities and Creator Tools
  With over 250 million subscribers and rapid growth in video podcast consumption, Spotify’s focus on video is accelerating. More than 300,000 video podcasts are now active on Spotify, including popular shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, Call Her Daddy, and The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett.

• Video Podcasting: A Fast-Growing Opportunity
  Spotify’s Co-President Gustav Söderström emphasized that video podcasts are among the fastest-growing content types on the platform, with over half of new podcasts that sustain audiences including video elements.

Spotify’s updates position it as a leading platform for video podcasts, providing creators with unprecedented opportunities to connect with fans and build monetizable, engaging content.

TED Audio Collective Partners with Acast for Ad Sales, Hosting, and Global Distribution

The TED Audio Collective, known for its 26 hit podcasts across business, tech, wellness, and more, has partnered with Acast to handle ad sales, hosting, and distribution outside Australia and New Zealand. With 176 million global listens per year, TED’s network—featuring popular shows like TED Talks Daily, How to Be a Better Human, and TED Business—brings a massive, engaged audience to Acast’s platform.

• Expanding Reach for TED Audio Collective
  This partnership enhances the reach of TED’s audio content, connecting advertisers with a global, highly engaged audience.

• Advertiser Impact Through Engaged Listeners
  Acast’s recent Podcast Pulse report with Edison Research reveals that 92% of listeners tune in to podcasts to learn, while 80% engage with niche content, with 94% taking action after hearing ads on niche podcasts—making TED’s shows a prime space for targeted advertising.

• Acast’s Advanced Ad Technology
  TED’s Head of Global Business Development, Alan Seiffert, highlighted Acast’s “leading ad tech tools and partnerships” as instrumental in scaling TED’s reach globally.

This partnership positions Acast to support TED’s mission of spreading ideas worldwide, offering advertisers unique access to one of the most respected names in educational audio content.

NY Times Bestselling Author Stassi Schroeder Joins PodcastOne in Seven-Figure Deal

PodcastOne (NASDAQ: PODC), a leading podcast platform under LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO), has announced an exclusive, multiyear, seven-figure deal to bring The Stassi Podcast to its network. Known for her candid reflections on pop culture, relationships, and personal experiences, NY Times bestselling author and reality TV star Stassi Schroeder joins PodcastOne as part of a commitment to amplify female voices in podcasting.

• Engaging Content Tailored to Women
  Stassi’s show offers a mix of humor, wit, and honesty, resonating deeply with listeners who tune in for her unfiltered takes on life’s highs and lows.

• Expanding Fanbase and Reach
  PodcastOne’s President Kit Gray praised Stassi’s genuine connection with her audience, emphasizing the platform’s “talent-focused approach” as the ideal fit for growing her fanbase through authentic storytelling and shared experiences.

• Exciting Plans for Live Shows and Merchandising
  Stassi’s move to PodcastOne comes with ambitious plans to expand beyond podcasting, including live shows, merchandising, and potential adaptations. Stassi’s previous Straight Up with Stassi live tour and Mommy Dearest tour sold out nationwide, underscoring her wide appeal.

• A Strong Female-Focused Roster
  Stassi joins PodcastOne’s lineup of top-ranked shows across popular genres, including LadyGang, Coffee Convos, The Jordan Harbinger Show, and Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe.

PodcastOne’s acquisition of The Stassi Podcast strengthens its mission to elevate women’s voices, with plans to engage her devoted audience across its vast promotional network.

Chris Wallace Exits CNN to Embrace Streaming and Podcasting

Chris Wallace, the veteran journalist with over five decades in broadcast television, announced his departure from CNN, marking the end of his three-year tenure at the network. At 77, Wallace is stepping away from a seven-figure salary, choosing to pursue opportunities in streaming and podcasting as his contract concludes in December.

• Inspired by Leading Podcasters
  Wallace cited influential figures like Joe Rogan and Charlamagne tha God as inspirations for his new direction, though he humbly noted, “I don’t flatter myself to think I will have that sort of reach.”

• A “Liberating” Career Pivot
  Reflecting on his shift away from traditional television, Wallace described the move as “liberating,” adding, “This is the first time in 55 years I’ve been between jobs.” He remains positive about his CNN experience, stating, “CNN has been very good to me.”

• New Ventures Beyond Broadcast
  Currently anchoring The Chris Wallace Show on Saturdays and Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? on Max, Wallace joins the ranks of established media figures like Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson, who successfully transitioned from TV to digital platforms.

Wallace’s shift highlights the ongoing trend of high-profile journalists moving to digital-first formats, signaling a shift in media consumption and the growing influence of streaming and podcasting.

• Spotify for Podcasters rebrands to Spotify for Creators

• SmartLess Media launches ClueLess game show

• Transistor.fm integrates with Kit.com

• Ausha integrates with Zapier to revolutionize your podcast workflow!

Follow us on Instagram @listener to stay up to date with all things podcasting news. Have news to share? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected] to get featured!

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.

🔗 Help Us Grow by Sharing the Newsletter!

If you enjoy this newsletter, please share it with a friend and invite them to subscribe. Thanks for being part of our community!

Our Partners