Podnews Weekly Review

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

We break down TikTok’s podcast network with iHeart, Netflix’s audio push, and whether video is worth the cost, then dig into research on clips, companion podcasts, and the ad shift between radio and on‑demand. Sari Azut joins to show how a screenshot becomes a shareable clip and useful attention data.• TikTok’s entry into podcasting and censorship concerns• iHeart’s finances, radio softness, and podcast growth• E‑commerce links, music discovery, and TikTok Shop• Netflix’s short deals, UI changes, and exclusivity trade‑offs• Data on clips failing to convert long‑form listens• Companion podcasts that drive streaming subscriptions• Radio and podcasts sold together via local and programmatic• Video’s 77% cost lift per attention hour• Indie monetisation realities and small‑show strategies• Micropayments, wallets, and adoption barriers• Overcast embracing key podcasting tags• Podcast Magic’s screenshot‑to‑clip workflow and insights• App updates, RSS presentation, and standards proposalsStart podcasting, keep podcasting with BuzzSprout.comSubscribe now at podnews.netIf you want to get on and give us your predictions, then weekly.podnews.net is where you can become a power supporter and share your predictions with the worldSend 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

(This is an AI description from Buzzsprout's Cohost)We test Netflix’s “video podcast” land grab, then show why Apple’s AI chapters and Timed Links are the practical upgrade creators needed. DAX’s Brian Conlan joins to explain why audio’s problem is ROAS, not downloads, and how better measurement unlocks bigger budgets.• Netflix licensing moves and YouTube exclusivity trade-offs• Why this is cheap TV, not podcasting, and why that matters• Audio vs video consumption and where value really sits• Apple AI chapters, Timed Links, and transcript expansion• Chapters JSON, ID3, and episode notes pros and cons• Does Apple make ad skipping easier or ads better• DAX on attribution, ROAS, and harmonised standards• Spotify’s earnings, video spin, and creator payouts• Libsyn ends The Feed; Podcast 411 returns• Fireside Chat closes; Fox acquires Meet Cute• LN address vs keysend and easier listener payments• HLS, listen-time data, and ad effectiveness• New tools: Podcast Magic and Snipd for smarter notesStart 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 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.