Publishers Celebrate Spotify-Driven Audiobook Surge
Spotify's recent venture into the audiobook market is paying off for both the streamer and for publishing houses. Data from Bookstat reveals that Spotify captured an 11% market share of the US audiobook market in Q4 of 2023.
Union Blasts Audacy’s “Dehumanizing, Cruel” Podcast Layoffs
The Pineapple Street Union, representing members at Audacy's Pineapple Street Studios, has expressed its disappointment and anger over the broadcaster's decision to cut 25% of the studio's workforce. Eleven of the twelve layoffs were WGA East members.
Podcast Ad CPMs Stagnate In Sluggish Q1 Start
Libsyn has released the Podcast Advertising Rates for January 2024, showcasing the top-earning categories alongside the most accessible for marketers. The average cost per thousand for a 60-second ad fell more than a dollar per ad in the last month.
Acast Yanks YouTube’s Podcast Access Over Monetization Rights
Podcast hosting and sales company Acast has blocked YouTube's access to its RSS feeds saying that the burgeoning podcast platform's requirement that all submitted podcasts be free of ads clashes with its revenue model.
Audacy Makes Podcasting RIF As Restructuring Continues
Audacy has announced cuts to its podcast division, laying off around 25% of its Pineapple Street Studios staff. The company will be eliminating approximately 12 roles, as reported to Bloomberg by an anonymous source close to the matter.
iHeart Announces A Trio Of Podcast Series Updates
iHeartPodcasts has released updates on three podcasts, ranging from a focus on pop culture's strangest moments to searching for a modern media recluse. The news also includes the rebranding of sports personality Jay Glazer's series.
Report: Podcast Audiences Skew Younger and More Affluent
Triton Digital has released its comprehensive 2023 US Podcast Report, revealing evolving trends, listener demographics, and platform preferences. Over the past two years, the podcast industry has witnessed remarkable growth, with a 12% increase in monthly listeners.
Apple’s Podcast Metric Shift Shocks The System To Benefit Ads
The latest update to Apple's iOS operating system for iPhone users marks a significant shift in podcast metrics, carried by a reduction in automatic downloads. This change is a result of industry collaboration with Apple to align downloads more closely with actual listening.
In Podcast Coup, SiriusXM Pinches ‘SmartLess’ In 9-Figure Deal
After three years at Amazon, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes' SmartLess Media has signed a multi-year agreement with SiriusXM. Sources close to the sale place the agreement at more than $100 million, as the company vies to entice new subscribers.
International Women’s Podcast Awards Sets 2024 Date In London
Everybody Media has announced the entry window for the fourth annual International Women's Podcast Awards. The awards are open to global entries, with the return of a special category for non-English language podcasts introduced in 2023.














