Podnews Weekly Review

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

Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch, shares insights on connecting podcast hosts and guests while supporting independent creators. The discussion dives into Spotify's new messaging feature, increasing podcast consumption among Gen Z, and Captivate's innovative remote recording capabilities. They also celebrate the recent win at the Earworthy Podcast Awards, explore strategies for podcast growth, and touch on technological advancements impacting data delivery in podcasting. An engaging blend of trends and tools shaping the podcasting landscape!

This audio has been rescued from almost inaudible audio thanks to recording using the wrong microphone - this was just on a laptop microphone carried around a loud conference. Good job that Buzzsprout has a tool called Power Clean that fixed much of that for us.We also speak with Oskar Serrander about Wondercraft's new tool, Wonda.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

James and Sam are away this week, so time for an interview in more detail than we normally would. Norma-Jean Belenky discusses her new podcast PodBiz, which explores the various ways podcasters monetize their content through transparent conversations with industry professionals.• PodBiz aims to answer the question "where's the money in podcasting?" through interviews with experts in advertising, subscriptions, and alternative revenue models• Some independent creators with just 1,200 downloads per episode are making six-figure incomes from their podcasts• Advertising remains strong, but subscription models are gaining significant traction across the industry• Organizations like AIR (Association of Independent Radio Professionals) publish rate cards to promote fair compensation for podcast production roles• Quality podcast production requires adequate labor and resources – "good work takes labor"• Value-for-value models and cryptocurrency-based micropayments remain niche but have potential for growth• Event hosting, merchandise, and packaging content across multiple platforms are effective additional revenue streams• Podcasters are building communities through newsletters and events to strengthen audience relationships• AI tools help reduce labor-intensive aspects of production but raise questions about transparency and disclosure• The podcast industry faces potential regulatory challenges as governments implement content restrictions and age verificationSend 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