Spotify’s Push Into Video Is Missing Some of the Biggest Podcasts by Ashley Carman
A look at where Spotify video podcasting is at, a year into the company’s new strategy to shift away from big-ticket exclusive deals to focus more on advertising. Using the Edison Research top 50 podcasts ranker for Q4 2024, Carman finds of the top ten podcasts five regularly post video episodes and only two of those post to Spotify (Joe Rogan and Theo Von’s shows). Meanwhile some of the other biggest video podcasts, including MrBallen Podcast: Strange Dark, & Mysterious Stories, Club Shay Shay, and New Heights, remain YouTube-only. While the long tail of podcasting is important, Carman argues a company trying to seize market share from YouTube will need to host top shows as well to make their video offering stand out.
Fox Acquires Firm Behind Conservative and True Crime Podcasts by Michael M. Grynbaum
The Fox Corporation has acquired Red Seat Ventures, a storied production company that produces podcasts for the likes of Bill O’Reilly, Tucker Carlson, and Dr. Phil. With over 80 employees, RSV also operates annual true crime convention CrimeCon and affiliated cruise CrimeCruise. A purchase price has not been publicized. Founders and brothers Chris and Kevin Balfe will continue to operate independently within Tubi Media Group, an arm of Fox’s content production.
Audio-first children’s media production company Tinkercast has signed an extended partnership deal with Wondery to continue establishing Wow in the World as the first known example of a 360° franchise originating from a podcast. The deal includes exclusive distribution, merchandise, ad sales, and YouTube distribution rights for WitW and all WitW branded products, including spinoff shows. In addition to distributing the relevant podcasts through Wondery, Wondery+ distributes the episodes ad free and a week early. In addition to a New York Times bestselling book series, WitW has a new season of the Make it Wow! live tour and the main podcast is on track for a special musical in the Fall to celebrate reaching 250 episodes.
As for the rest of the news…
- Amplitude Media Partners founder John Donahue took to LinkedIn to celebrate AMP’s first full year in business.
- Ad Results Media has a new blog detailing how to measure podcast advertising ROI.
- Former Audacy exec and Pineapple Street Studios co-founder Jenna Weiss-Berman has been hired to run the audio division of Amy Pohler’s Paper Kite Productions.
- BBC Studios has expanded their partnership with Digitize to represent BBC podcast advertising inventory in Ireland.
- How Do You Cope?, originally a BBC Sounds production, has switched to Wondery for a new season with John Robins a single host after the exit of Elis James.
- NOVA Entertainment has renewed their partnership with business news podcast network Fear & Greed
- Popular Australian podcast The Imperfects has kicked off season 7, now hosted on LiSTNR
