Podnews Weekly Review

3.7 (22)
NEWS COMMENTARY
UPDATED WEEKLY

The last word in podcasting news.Every Friday, James Cridland and Sam Sethi review the week's top stories from Podnews; and interview some of the biggest names making the news from across the podcast industry. Winner, "Best Podcasting Podcast", 2025 Ear Worthy Awards Support the show at https://weekly.podnews.net - or hit the boost button! Sponsored by Buzzsprout: start podcasting - keep podcasting!

4D AGO

Apple Podcasts new video, and AI in podcasting from Snipd and Podhome

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 Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net

1h 32m
MAR 20

Why Reveal is bigger than ever; and exploring your podtential

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 Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net

1h 24m
MAR 13

Steve Ackerman's next move; Adobe's new tools; and new Infinite Dial numbers

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 Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net

1h 38m
MAR 6

Triton Digital's Sharon Taylor, on what Apple Podcasts HLS Video Really Changes

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 Start podcasting, keep podcasting with Buzzsprout.com Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net

1h 39m
FEB 27

Apple Podcasts video tech details; plus Supercast acquired - we speak to its CEO

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 Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net

2h 10m
FEB 20

Apple Podcasts Video - HLS, ads, and podcaster control

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 Start podcasting, keep podcasting with BuzzSprout.com Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net

2h 35m
FEB 13

YouTube’s Real Numbers, Spotify’s Strategy, And Nigeria’s Podcast Boom

(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 Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net

1h 14m
FEB 6

Mercury Podcast Network: plus, too many ads, and what YouTube is doing about AI slop

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 Start podcasting, keep podcasting with BuzzSprout.com Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net

1h 32m

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The Podnews Weekly Review - the last word in podcast news

Every week, the Podnews Weekly Review is the last word in podcasting news - with a look back at the most important news in podcasting, and interviews with the people that matter. Hear from James Cridland, the Editor of Podnews; Sam Sethi, the CEO of Podfans; and interviews with the people that matter. The Podnews Weekly Review. With Buzzsprout - podcast hosting made easy. Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net

S1

•

1 min

James Cridland

Host
Sam Sethi

Host

3.7

out of 5

22 Ratings

My go to for all things related to the podcast industry

Mar 2

Ralph Owens | Houston TX

James and Sam give me the daily and weekly updates on the podcast industry that I need as a podcaster. Both the daily and weekly shows are always in my rotation.
One of my favorites

11/28/2025

bdentzy

I love listening to James and Sam talk about what’s going on in podcasting and what they think it means for the rest of us.
Top resource for anyone involved in pod casting

11/22/2023

App Rover

James and Sam do an amazing job of pulling back the veil on the entire podcasting industry. 100% recommend.
This show ruined itself

06/13/2025

~ Violet ~

This show started out great, and unfortunately raced right to the bottom. Based on a transcript, this podcast sells cohost slots to turn episodes into advertisements. Without disclosing that upfront. Not ethical for a newscast. Wow. What did fiction podcasts do to Cridland? Whatever it is, it has ruined his objectivity. His grudges have slipped out of his control. Unfortunately, if I want to know what’s actually going on in podcasting I need to look it up elsewhere … Cridland and Sethi aren’t explaining things well enough. Maybe they’ll get it together. This could be really good. Early review: This show is one of the best about podcasting news and tech. Sometimes they take an odd stance on something. Don’t always reveal their own conflicts. Seem to have some weird grudges. And seem to be highly self-promoting. But some of the things that make the daily show less trustworthy and useful are smoothed out a bit in this longer format. They do know the industry, and that does show. I wish there was more diversity in perspectives at this level of coverage and monetization. I wish that was safe.

The last word in podcasting news.Every Friday, James Cridland and Sam Sethi review the week's top stories from Podnews; and interview some of the biggest names making the news from across the podcast industry. Winner, "Best Podcasting Podcast", 2025 Ear Worthy Awards Support the show at https://weekly.podnews.net - or hit the boost button! Sponsored by Buzzsprout: start podcasting - keep podcasting!