Podnews Weekly Review

We break down the Netflix–Spotify pact to move select video podcasts off YouTube, weigh the real winners, and ask whether exclusivity helps or harms creators. We also challenge Apple’s ad‑free push, share data on when people actually listen, and explore practical tools that make podcasts easier to find and love. We'd have had ChadF on this week for an interview, but technology let us down. Sorry. • Why Netflix and Spotify align on video podcasts • What leaving YouTube means for Ringer fans • Apple’s ad‑free Series Essentials and who pays the price • YouTube’s playbook for chapters, titles, comments • Midday listening peaks and what to publish when • AI voices, trust, and the “missing middle” of ads • Location tags, standard icons, and better UX • Overcast’s download fixes and transcript support • Community boosts, gamification, and feedback loops Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect 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

Flightcast’s Rox Codes joins us to unpack a video-first hosting and growth platform built for YouTube, Spotify, and serious creators, while we challenge inflated web “browser” downloads, pricing resets, and what actually counts as a podcast in a $3B market. We weigh useful AI assistants against synthetic co-hosts, and map the road to practical standards like HLS and Podcasting 2.0. • livewire host-share data showing consolidation and heritage brands sliding • price rises at major hosts and how AI features drive bundled costs • web player download spikes likely from bots, scrapers, and cloud IPs • what Flightcast publishes where and why video-first matters • AI analytics assistant for multi-platform, time-bounded insights • clip experimentation on separate channels to validate winners • storage choices enabling future video RSS and richer search • podcasting 2.0 tags for chapters and transcripts on the roadmap • why HLS needs shared best practices before broader adoption • Global Studios’ video push and creator acquisitions • the $3B ad forecast and the definition problem of “podcast” • Apple’s Podroll video promos UX quirks and limits • soundbites, playlists, and underused standards for discovery • creator tools: Audacity redesign and Whisper.cpp speed gains • a human-first stance on AI: assist, don’t replace Start podcasting, keep podcasting with BuzzSprout.com Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect 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

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 V4V Start podcasting, keep podcasting with Buzzsprout.com Send James & Sam a message Support the show Connect 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 advertising If 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 message Support the show Connect 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