Apple Podcasts is generating automatic links and chapters by Stevie Bonifield
iOS 26.2’s developer beta debuts two new features for shows on Apple Podcasts: automated chapters, and timed links. When released out of beta, every episode of every podcast will receive chapters, even if not added by the creator. Along with the automatically-generated versions, 26.2 adds chapter-import support for both episode notes (similar to how YouTube timestamps work via descriptions) and JSON files provided in the RSS feed. This are in addition to the existing ID3 chapter import functionality. Automatically-generated chapters will be labeled as such and will only be generated if a creator hasn’t manually added chapters during the upload process. Timed Links allow podcast episodes to link to media across Apple’s ecosystem whenever mentioned, such as a link to a song being discussed so it can be played on Apple Music, or direct links to other podcasts mentioned in the show. The links will pop up in the player, be available in the episode’s transcript, and in a “from this episode” section on the episode’s page. Creators will have the ability to opt out of both features.
Spotify Reports Third Quarter 2025 Earnings
Subscribers are up 12% year-over-year to 281 million, along with monthly active users growing 11% to 713 million. As AdExchanger coverage notes, the shareholder deck tempers Premium revenue growth (9% year over year to $3.83 billion) by highlighting Premium gross margin is down year-over-year. Why? “Video podcast costs.” Therein lies the rub of making the jump to full video: even with automations and focus on efficiency, filming a couple celebrities chatting once a week still can rack up quite a bit in costs for space, gear, and crew. That said, with Spotify’s DSP partnerships and programmatic video ad inventory availability, the Premium margin is an investment in the long run as Spotify works towards their overall goal of becoming a multimedia destination.
Fox Entertainment Acquires Scripted Podcast Platform Meet Cute by Rick Porter
Scripted podcast production company Meet Cute is the latest in a run of multi-media investments from Fox. In addition to podcasts, Fox has invested in microdrama producer Holywater, a two-way first-look deal with publisher HarperCollins, and even chipped some money into B.J. Novak’s restaurant concept Chain. A motivator for acquiring romantic comedy production company Meet Cute is its agility and cost efficiency, which will be used as a “rapid-development content incubator” for Fox Entertainment. Fiction podcasting has long been used as a testbed for new IP (see: Gimlet’s Homecoming, or Two-Up’s Shipworm), and now companies like Fox are investing in that potential.
As for the rest of the news…
- Axios has exclusive coverage of Vox Media’s board discussing spinning off their podcast network.
- The New England Sports Network has announced it will be airing the video version of Audacy’s The Varsity podcast on NESN and sister channel SportsNet Pittsburgh.
- AudioUK CEO Chloe Straw has announced this will be her last year with the company and is stepping down.
