Podcast Movement Evolutions at SXSW kicks off Friday, March 13. Admission is free, with no SXSW badge or extra ticket required (SXSW badge-holders will receive priority access. Join in at SKYBOX on 6th for three days of curated panels, social events, and live performances in a 400 person venue (with 350+ overflow in a neighboring space). Preregistration is live and highly encouraged.
Podbean has emailed users announcing their dynamic ad insertion tool PodAds will no longer serve ads to listeners in the U.K., Europe, and EEA effective immediately. The company told Podnews the decision to pull DAI from the region was “based on a combination of evolving global privacy regulations and a shift in our internal product focus.”
The Most Effective Podcast Ad Is One People Actually Hear by Jonas Woost
Woost, curious about the average listener retention and how it impacts podcast ads, presents data collected from over 100,000 podcast episodes. On average, audiences on Apple Podcasts and Spotify complete 76% of a podcast episode. The data shows a correlation between episode length and average listen-time. Episodes lasting 30 minutes or less average 85% Listen Time, 30-60 minute episodes average 83%, and 60+ minutes average 65%. Woost argues publishers should share Listen Time statistics more often with advertisers to demonstrate audience loyalty and editorial quality. Advertisers should request Listen Time numbers to plan effective campaigns.
BBC Deals and Developments
Last year the BBC updated its Audio Release Policy, allowing independent producers to commercialize content that is no longer funded by license fees. The first podcast to come available for sponsorship is Elis James and John Robins. Starting April 7, the BBC will license the show for ad-free broadcast on Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and other platforms. A producer-run commercial feed will include ads. BBC Studios has also announced a partnership with Bauer Media Audio, making BMA the exclusive third-party representative to sell BBC Studios podcast advertising in seven European markets (specifically Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, and Portugal).
Companion Announces Podcast Slate
Creator-first studio Companion has announced the first slate of 14 audio and video podcasts. To showcase its slate’s tone, Companion will take over the Podcast Movement Evolutions SXSW stage on March 14 for Companion Presents: In Good Company. The evening will feature live performances, storytelling, and a headliner set from artist Andy Grammer. Actor Penn Badgley will appear for a live conversation, performances from Ayana Butterfly, JJ & The Mood, and more guests fitting the spirit of Companion content.
The Timbre Awards Discounted Submission Deadline Extended
Submissions to Voxtopica’s The Timbre Awards opened February 2nd. The discounted submission fee period has now been extended to March 20. The full-price final submission deadline is April 17, with judging taking place from April to June and winners announced June 15.
As for the rest of the news…
- European podcast subscription platform Podimo has acquired German podcast label arc.studio, bringing it into Podimo Studios. The company has also announced several new executive leadership appointments in London, Denmark, and Germany.
- Podstock has announced the launch of Agent, their new AI-powered virtual assistant designed specifically for podcast operation teams.
- Airwave recently signed exclusive distribution, marketing, and monetization deals with The Really Very Crunchy Podcast and The History Chicks.
- Variety covers the debut of Bill O’Reilly’s new interview podcast We’ll Do It Live, produced by Red Seat Ventures.
- Triton Digital CRO Sharon Taylor has recently guested on Podnews Weekly Review, discussing Triton’s roadmap and what Apple Podcasts’ HLS video upgrade changes for podcasting (catch the interview as text here at Podcast Business Journal).
- Libsyn has signed two podcasts from journalist Mehdi Hasan: Mehdi Unfiltered and We’re Not Kidding Mehdi & Friends. Both series will be monetized via Libsyn Ads.
- The Native Advertising Institute has published their Significant Women in Branded Content for 2026, including Sounds Profitable’s own Molly DeMellier.
