Headliner launches TL;DL (Beta), a new tool for podcast listenership that blends clips from your favorite shows with AI-host insights for a unique, personalized audio experience.
TL;DL, standing for ‘Too Long, Didn’t Listen,’ is designed to combat the #1 reason people skip or don’t listen to podcasts — not enough time.
Built for flexibility and listenership, TL;DL lets listeners generate short, personalized podcast summaries using real episode clips, blended with AI-host insights. It’s podcast listening on any schedule.
TL;DL, currently in Beta, is live and ready to use. Visit Headliner’s Product Hunt to see the official launch or try TL;DL directly by visiting play.headliner.app/tldl.
Why TL;DL?
We LOVE podcasts. So much so that we have a list of shows we’d love to listen to but just don’t have the time. Sound familiar?
Or, what about those long episodes you just can’t start because life gets in the way just after a few minutes?
That’s where TL;DL comes in.
TL;DL helps solve the most common barrier to podcast listening: not enough time. By making the experience more flexible, TL;DL gives people a way to stay connected to the shows and topics they care about, even when short on time.
“Oftentimes, people want to listen to podcasts, but the commitment is too high, or they simply just run out of time,” said Neil Mody, CEO & Co-Founder at Headliner. “Discovery can essentially get stuck, but, by marrying AI with podcasts, TL;DL is providing an easier path to listenership that leans into the idea of flexible discovery on the listeners’ terms.”
But, TL;DL is not meant to replace episodes. TL;DL helps listeners sample more, catch up faster, and stay engaged in a way that fits into even the busiest of schedules. Instead of static descriptions or endless skipping, listeners hear context, quotes, and key takeaways, making it easier to decide what to dive into next or revisit in full later. And if something stands out, TL;DL makes it easy to click into a segment or click on the episode name for continued listening.
For podcasters, TL;DL is a new way to get your voice heard and in front of ears, not skipped or forgotten.
How TL;DL Works
Using TL;DL is simple, fast, and, not to mention, free. No paywalls, no subscriptions, no overthinking. Just storytelling, connection, and, of course, podcasting!
Here’s how TL;DL works:
1. Search for up to five podcast episodes: Selections can be from the same show or across multiple shows.
2. Select how long you have to listen: Pick between 5 and 20 minutes.
3. Click create: Headliner’s TL;DL will process your selections and generate a custom audio summary that blends AI insights with podcast clips.
4. Listen when ready (and continue listening when you’re really ready): Headliner will send you an email when your TL;DL project is ready. And, best yet, if you hear something you really like, we make it easy to follow the show and/or continue listening to the full episode.
The result is a unique listening experience made for your ears.
Why it Matters: The Future of Podcasting
As podcasting continues to grow, so do challenges regarding show discovery.
“AI-generated content often loses the sense of connection between the end consumer and creator,’ said Mody. “TL;DL keeps the actual voices and real moments of a podcast, but leverages AI to wrap, not replace, the experience. That’s the direction we believe consumption is heading: AI as a shortcut for discovery, not a substitute for listening. In a few years, every podcast app is going to have some version of this.”
TL;DL is part of what we believe is the future of podcasting—tools that respect the time of listeners, help great content get heard, and create new ways to connect audiences with the creator. By combining AI with real podcast moments, TL;DL honors growing trends in consumer behavior while giving credit and connection to the podcaster.
For Podcasters: Control and Respect
Headliner built TL;DL with listeners in mind, but as a creator-first company, we’ve kept podcasters at the heart of TL;DL.
We talked to real podcasters throughout development to shape TL;DL’s direction and use cases. Many told us they’re excited for the opportunity to add TL;DL summaries to their feed as trailers or as a new way to engage their audience while creating monetizable content.
Also “TL;DL doesn’t aim to replace full listens,” said Mody. “It’s designed to give potential listeners and loyal fans a quick, engaging summary that drives listenership back to the full episode.”
If you’re a podcaster and prefer not to have your show processed by TL;DL, you can opt out at any time. Just click the ‘Contact Us’ link in the bottom right corner of the site. We’ll make sure your show is removed from TL;DL and let your prospective listeners know.
Where to Find TL;DL
You can try TL;DL right now at play.headliner.app/tldl, available on mobile and desktop.
We’re also launching TL;DL on Product Hunt to help spread the word and get feedback from both listeners and podcasters. If you’re interested in learning more about TL;DL or want to support the launch, please visit our launch page.
As TL;DL is in Beta, your support will be used to gather feedback, test new ideas, and better understand how listeners and podcasters alike interact with TL;DL.
What’s Next
At Headliner, we believe tools should work with creators— not around them. Our mission is to increase podcast visibility and help great shows get heard by new audiences, all while respecting the creators behind the mic.
This is the first time Headliner has built a product specifically for listeners, but with podcasters in mind. “Our goal is to support podcasters and the listener by making content easier to sample and share,” said Oliver Wellington, COO and Co-Founder at Headliner. “This is new territory for us, and we are excited to hear what people think.”
We’ve got a few ideas in mind for what’s next, but, we’d love to hear from you! Try TL;DL (Beta) now at play.headliner.app/tldl or visit our Product Hunt page to support the launch and let us know what you think.
