Podnews Weekly Review

We unpack a bold true crime breakthrough: RNZ uses AI to recreate a deceased inmate’s voice with family consent and full disclosure, elevating the investigation without faking facts. We also dive into video on the TV screen, premium RSS, and why co‑host chemistry beats guest fatigue.• Spotify adds video podcasts to Apple TV• YouTube AI upscales low‑res video and adds QR shopping• RNZ’s NARC uses 11Labs with ethics review and consent• Why AI voice can be more transparent than actors• Fountain hosting launches with open RSS and alt enclosures• Premium RSS and Lightning versus card fees• Streaming metrics for plays, listen time, and completion• Interview saturation and the rise of host‑led formats• China’s credential rule for sensitive creator topics• Acast profitability and ARPL growth• MrBallen’s SiriusXM deal and YouTube ad sales• Bending Spoons buys AOL and raises prices playbook• Layoffs across media and YouTube AI reorg• OP3 bot spikes and practical filtering• Stablecoins, MasterCard, and future micropayments• Adobe’s licensed AI audio for safer commercial use• Ad measurement with Audio Pixel and real attributionStart podcasting, keep podcasting with Buzzsprout.comSend James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

We track Edison Research’s sale to SSRS, Spotify’s TV distribution push, and whether video truly grows podcast audiences. We debate Oxford Road’s new ad-performance ranker, membership models that creators can own, and the messy state of podcast standards.• SSRS acquires Edison Research and keeps the team• Edison’s people-based ranker shows stable top shows and fast risers• Spotify expands via Samsung TV Plus and Netflix distribution• Netflix’s background audio and auto limitations challenge podcast UX• BBC data on modest incremental reach from video• Oxford Road’s ORBIT ranks shows by ad effectiveness• Ads vs attribution debate and what “works” really means• Supporting Cast enables owned subscriptions and ad-free feeds• Standards frustration: PSP process, adoption gaps, taxonomy needs• OpenStreetMap-powered location tag enables richer discovery• AWS outage highlights platform dependence and resilienceStart podcasting, keep podcasting with Buzzsprout.comSend James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

We break down the Netflix–Spotify pact to move select video podcasts off YouTube, weigh the real winners, and ask whether exclusivity helps or harms creators. We also challenge Apple’s ad‑free push, share data on when people actually listen, and explore practical tools that make podcasts easier to find and love.We'd have had ChadF on this week for an interview, but technology let us down. Sorry.• Why Netflix and Spotify align on video podcasts• What leaving YouTube means for Ringer fans• Apple’s ad‑free Series Essentials and who pays the price• YouTube’s playbook for chapters, titles, comments• Midday listening peaks and what to publish when• AI voices, trust, and the “missing middle” of ads• Location tags, standard icons, and better UX• Overcast’s download fixes and transcript support• Community boosts, gamification, and feedback loopsSend James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Rox Codes, co-founder of Flightcast and a former engineer for major YouTube creators, discusses the innovative video-first hosting platform geared towards YouTube and Spotify. He delves into the challenges of inflated download metrics and recent price hikes in podcast hosting. The conversation includes insights on AI tools for analytics, the importance of original video storage, and the future of Podcasting 2.0. Additionally, Rox emphasizes a human-centered approach to AI, ensuring technology enhances creativity rather than replacing it.

We break down AI-generated podcast “slop,” Spotify’s leadership shift, and why attention—not downloads—should be the metric brands care about. Fresh Air’s Neil Cowling joins us to explain how branded podcasts create real value, and where video fits in.• reactions to Jeanine Wright's interview and AI content quality• risk to advertisers from bots and low retention• International Podcast Day and the case for open RSS• Spotify’s co‑CEOs move and DDEX‑based AI disclosures• YouTube AI features and Riverside prompt editing• why branded podcasts target niches and measure attention• funding models for originals and talent partnerships• the rise of video as a content engine for brands• SoundStack’s HLS launch, costs, and app support• research on podcast reach and high‑attention media• events, awards, and tool updates from Buzzsprout• X402 micropayments, wallets, splits, and V4VStart podcasting, keep podcasting with Buzzsprout.comSend James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

AI is transforming the podcast industry, raising questions about disclosure, quality standards, and audience preferences as companies like Inception Point AI create thousands of AI-generated episodes weekly.• Jeanine Wright from Inception Point AI reveals they produce 3,000 episodes weekly with just eight staff members• Discussion of AI disclosure standards and whether the "person tag" or "disclosure tag" adequately addresses advertiser concerns• Corporate censorship considerations for podcasting, contrasting with broadcast television's regulatory environment• Descript announces new CEO Laura Burkhauser and introduces media minutes and AI credits pricing structure• Stuart Morgan of Audio Always discusses the blurring lines between podcasting, radio and audiobooks• Dylan Haskins introduces the new All-Ireland Podcast Awards and Soundwaves conference• Debate about podcast app monetization strategies after PocketCast introduces ads• True value for podcasting apps may come from subscription models rather than advertisingIf you want to support this podcast, you can do so by streaming sats, using the Buzzsprout fan mail link in our show notes, sending a super comment or boost, or becoming a power supporter at weekly.podnews.net.Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Greg Glenday, CEO of Acast, shares insights on the company's impressive growth and creator-first strategy, revealing they've paid over $500 million to creators. He discusses the challenges posed by AI-generated content flooding the podcast market and the tension between innovation and quality. Glenday also highlights Acast's international expansion in markets like Singapore and Mexico, along with their approach to video and ad tech. The conversation touches on the importance of transparency in content, as well as Acast's future outlook for subscriptions and advertising.

We remember podcasting pioneer Todd Cochran who passed away suddenly this week, reflecting on his 19-year journey in the industry and the indelible mark he left on the medium. • Todd's journey began in 2004 with a $14.95 Walmart microphone, creating his first podcast in a hotel room in Waco, Texas• An excerpt from our 2023 interview with Todd shares his podcasting origin story and philosophy• Apple Podcasts appears to be preparing support for Podcasting 2.0 JSON chapters, potentially offering AI-generated chapters for podcasts• Daniel J Lewis has launched Pod Chapters in beta, offering AI-generated chapter creation for podcasters• Patreon is enhancing creator pages with customization options and domains, pointing to a trend of creator-owned portals• YouTube broadcast its first exclusive NFL game to 17 million global viewers as sports content grows in importance• Growing concerns about AI-generated podcast content as companies flood platforms with low-quality, automated shows• New York Times is closing its dedicated audio app to integrate audio content into its main news app• Discussion of protocol integration between ActivityPub, the AT protocol, and Nostr for better social web interconnectionIf you're in London on Tuesday, September 16th, join James and Sam at the Yorkshire Grey in Langham Street between 5-7pm for drinks and conversation.Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Jakarta sets the stage for an exploration of Asia's unique podcast landscape, where innovative approaches to monetization and content distribution reflect the region's diverse markets and consumer behaviors.• Ron Baetiong from Podcast Network Asia leverages Spotify's Open Access with local payment systems like GCash for their audio drama platform• Japanese podcast consumption differs significantly from Western markets, with YouTube as the top platform for podcast listening• BBC announces "Asia Specific," a new podcast examining global stories through an Asian lensPlus...• Blubrry announces first price increase in 20 years, raising questions about sustainable podcast hosting models• Buzzsprout data shows Spotify usage dropping 3.1% year-on-year, while Apple Podcasts remains dominant at 37.1%• PodHome launches their own podcast app after a year of development, focused on discovery and modern features• Top reasons listeners abandon podcasts include content being boring and shows starting with too much meaningless chat.Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Alex Sanfilippo shares how PodMatch is revolutionizing podcast guest booking through an innovative platform that functions like a dating app for interviews. He explains the platform's unique business model and why he believes community building is the future of podcasting.• PodMatch connects podcast hosts and guests while automating administrative functions• The platform charges a small fee to ensure users are serious, creating a "law of buy-in"• Through the Pod Value Initiative, PodMatch has given back nearly $900,000 to podcasters• Each profile doubles as a professional media one-sheet with SEO benefits• Audio content remains powerful because it doesn't intrude on people's busy lives• Quality content is essential as the barrier to entry remains low• The "Mom Test" helps podcasters get honest feedback from listeners• Building community with listeners provides valuable insights for improvement• Hosts should ask listeners how they found the show, what they like, how to improve, and what problems they need solvedTo sign up for PodMatch or access free podcasting resources, visit podmatch.com/free.Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net