Month: August 2025

Power To The Podcasters – Libsyn Surges Past $100M In Creator Podcasts

~ jen

Liberated Syndication Inc. (“Libsyn”), the leading podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, is turning up the volume on what it means to support podcasters at every stage. From bigger payouts to powerful new tools and high-profile partnerships, Libsyn is making it easier than ever for every voice to be heard, seen, and monetized.

Record Creator Earnings, New Tools & Exclusive Deals Power Libsyn’s Creator-First Model

Between January and July 2025, Libsyn has paid out 40% more to creators compared to the same period in 2024, pushing total creator earnings to more than $112 million since 2017. And with the removal of its 2,000-download minimum earlier this summer, Libsyn continues to break down barriers — now giving every podcaster on its platform access to Automatic Podcast Ads and the ability to start earning from day one. More monetization features are already in the works. 

Libsyn recently expanded Multi-user Managements to all creators, a podcast hosting feature previously exclusive to Pro and Enterprise customers. Allowing up to five users per account, this highly requested update gives teams greater control and flexibility. Ideal for shows with multiple hosts and collaborators, it enables teams to streamline production workflows from start to finish.

“At Libsyn, we believe every creator deserves more than just a platform — they deserve real support to build their audience, own their work, and create a sustainable media business on their own terms. Whether your just launching your first show or reaching millions of listeners, we’re here to fuel your growth and give you the tools to build something lasting. That’s what the creator empowerment program means to us — and it’s why we’re continuing to evolve our platform to meet the needs of the next generation of podcasters,” said Brendan Monaghan, CEO of Libsyn.

Adding to the momentum Libsyn has expanded its roster of exclusive shows in the first half of 2025 with podcasts like 10% Happier with Dan Harris, The Jamie 0 and Mason Ho Show, and Stay True with Madison Prewitt Troutt, alongside renewed deals with The Vial Files and the Newsworthy, with an existing pipeline of new addition coming soon. These podcast creators are tapping into Libsyn Ads’ full suite of ad solutions, including Host-Read and programmatic Automatic Podcast Ads, to deliver targeted campaigns that connect with audiences and deliver real results for brands.

Live From Dallas On The Ground At Podcast Movement 2025

All this and more will be on display at Podcast Movement 2025, where Libsyn returns as a presenting sponsor. Attendies can visit booth #302 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas to explore Libysn’s powerful solutions for hosting, distributing, monetizing, and measuring both audio and video content.

Plus, Libsyn leaders — Stephen Pickens, EVP of Sales; Anthony Savelli, EVP of Sales; Stephen Perlstien, SVP of Business Development; Christopher Avello, VP of Marketing; Elise Escobar, Director of Community and Content; Rob Walch, VP of Podcaster Relations; and more – will take the stage for keynotes and panels exploring how to decode audience behavior with podcast data, win big programatic ads, tap into the power of AI and video, and unlock advanced strategies to grow and evolve your show.

Whether you’re launching your first podcast or scaling a media empire, Libsyn is here to help you grow, earn, and own your voice — your way.

Rhapsody Voices Relaunches As Boutique Creator Agency With Evergreen As Lead Investor

~ jen

Rhapsody Voices has announced its spin-out from Evergreen Podcast, relaunching as a boutique agency focused on the podcast and creator community. Evergreen is leading a new round of investment to support the company’s next chapter.

Led by CEO and founder Mike Jensen, alongside Partner Harris Lane, Rhapsody Voices will expand beyond traditional ad sales to offer strategic service across advertising, subscription strategy, live events, merchandise, and emerging monetization models for creators and media brands.

“Rhapsody Voices is elevating our services to deliver even greater results for creators and sponsor partners. We’re thrilled to welcome Harris Lane as an executive leader, bringing a proven record of success in our growth areas and a passion for helping our creators’ shows reach their highest potential.” Mike Jensen, Founder and CEO.

With an existing slate of top-200 podcasts, Rhapsody Voices has announced several new and expanded partnerships for strategic services. These include a partnership with VOX, Inc. a 23-year Hollywood legacy talent agency specializing in voice-overs and celebrity endorsements, to bring a 360 approach to new and expanded media. 

This partnership brought the signing if Wil Wheaton’s newest Fiction podcast, It’s Storytime with Will Wheaton. Launched earlier this year, the podcast sat in the top-10 of the Fiction charts for the duration of its first season, and has built a core community on Patreon, which Rhapsody Voices oversaw and will be continuing to grow alongside the show’s sponsorship monetization, merch, and live event arm.

A big win for sponsorship sales, Rhapsody Voices is now exclusively representing Inside True Crime, a top-100 audio true crime podcast with a substantial YouTube following of over 700k subscribers.

The team will also be representing HerMoney for all of their audio subscription, distribution and growth, live event expansion and sales into alternative revenue streams like its 100,000+ newsletter and private coaching services.

Dipping into IP expansion, they have been representing the derivative conversations of a top-100 true crime podcast with award-winning journalist Carol Costello as host. Many talks, led by the Rhapsody team, on multiple derivatives have been set up based on the season 2 of her hit podcast, God Hook.

The investment reflects a shared belief in the evolving needs of the creator space and signals, strength on both sides: a strategic pivot for Rhapsody Voices and a forward-looking commitment from Evergreen to back innovate models and beyond. DWNLOAD Media served as an exclusive advisor on the transition.

About Rhapsody Voices

Rhapsody Voices network represents a curated list of shows with a “boutique at scale” approach, representing top content creator across audio and video podcasts. Rhapsody combines leadership in sponsorship representation with tailored content creation, marketing, and revenue growth strategies.

They also represent shows beyond traditional ad-sales, to offer strategic services across advertising, subscription strategy, live events, merchandise, and emerging monetization models for creators and media bands. For more information, visit RhapsodyVoices.com.

Audiencelift To Launch Proprietary YouTube Growth Technology At Podcast Movement

~ jen

Amaze Media Labs, the company behind the latest audience growth platform AudienceLift.com, announced the official launch of its newest innovation: YouTube Promotion Campaigns. A proprietary growth solution built to drive real video views, engagement, and subscriber growth on YouTube through hyper-targeted video ad placements overlaid with AudienceLift exclusive technology.

The new feature will debut at Podcast Movement 2025, taking place next week in Dallas, TX. Attendees can experience live demos of the YouTube Channel Growth technology at Booth #507, or book a private demo in advance.

“With YouTube now central to podcast discovery, creators need more than just visibility. They need real engagement,” said Brett Sklar, Co-Founder of Amaze Media Labs. “This new solution gives creator a powerful, turnkey way to grow authentic audiences on the platform that matters the most.”

Built on Audiencelift’s proprietary technology, YouTube Promotion Campaigns use a multi-stage growth funnel to drive high-quality results: first targeting high-intent viewers through precision ad placements, then re-engaging them to convert casual views into long-term subscribers. Campaigns are customized by audience profile, geo-location, and behavior, using multi-level retargeting to maximize ROI.

“Our clients want real growth, not vanity metrics,” added Robert Tuchman, Co-founder of Amaze Media Labs. “That’s why we engineered Audiencelift for YouTube to attract viewers who actually watch, engage, and subscribe.”

With this launch, Audiencelift users can now run fully managed YouTube campaigns alongside podcast trailer promotions that run across top premium networks like The Wall Street Journal, Fox Sports, and many more from a single dashboard. Every camping includes Cloudflare bot protection, IAB-certified data, and full transparency on subscribers, views, and listens.

About Audience Lift

AudienceLift.com is the proprietary growth engine from Amaze Media Labs, designed to grow podcast and video audiences through targeted paid media and retargeting strategies. The platform delivers measurable results for creators, brands, and publishers looking to scale reach and engagement across audio and video platforms.

Business Insider Co-Founder And Former CEO Henry Blodget Launches New Podcast In Partnership With Vox Media

~ jen

Vox Media announced a new podcast in partnership with acclaimed journalist and Business Insider co-founded Henry Blodget. Each week on Solutions with Henry Blodget, he and his guests will tackle some of the most pressing challenges of modern life — from AI risk and climate change to burnout and the loneliness epidemic — with an emphasis on practical, achievable solutions. Vox Media will lead sales, marketing, and distribution for the show, which launches on August 18th.

“We’re in a moment where every day, it feels like we’re facing a deluge of insurmountable challenges. What often gets lost in the conversation is just how many smart, enterprising people there are to there working to solve every one of them.” Says Blodget. “With Solutions, I hope to bring audiences a show that centers some of these experts and offers a thoughtful and pragmatic path forward. And it’s been a thrill working with Vox Media’s amazing podcast team to get this off the ground.”

Blodget brings a rare blend of journalistic rigor and business savvy to the podcast space. He is the founder and editor of Regenerator, a publication focused on building a better future, and the co-founder and former CEO and editor-in-chief of Business Insider, which under his leadership grew into one of the most influential news organizations in the world and was acquired by Axel Springer. He is also a former to—ranked Wall Street analysts, frequent media commentator, and the author of The Wall Street Self-Defense. Manual: A Consumer’s Guide to Intelligent Investing. He will soon publish his first novel.

“Vox Media has the leading slate of shows covering business, tech, leadership and current affairs.,” says Ray Chao, Vox Media’s SVP & general manager of audio and video. “We’re excited for Henry to bring his unparalleled experience and unique perspective as a top analyst, journalist, and entrepreneur to the podcast space.”

At Vox Media, Solutions with Henry Blogdet will join one of the the largest U.S. podcast publishers, according to a leading industry tracker, Podtrac, home to a slate of top-tier interview and current affairs shows, including Pivot (hosted by journalist Kara Swisher and entrepreneur Scott Galloway), Decoder (hosted by the Verge’s editor-in-chief Nilay Patel), Stay tuned with Preet (hosted by former Manhattan U.S. attorney Preet Bharara), Channels (hosted by journalist Peter Kafka), and more.

The trailer for Solutions with Henry Blodget is out today, with new episodes out weekly on Mondays.

QCODE Taps Grammy-Winning Jacob Bronstein As EVP, Head Of Content

~ jen

QCODE, a premium content studio and podcast network, announced the appointment of the industry veteran Jacob Bronstein to the role of Executive Vice President, Head of Content. The move comes as QCODE eyes a strategic expansion into new formats and genres, building on the network’s distinctive entertainment IP. That garners over 100 million downloads across video and audio platforms.

In his new role, the former Apple and ByteDance executive will lead QCODE’s original content strategy, building on the company’s slate of acclaimed audio properties featuring A-List talent — including Matthew McConauhey, Kerry Washington, Demi Moore, Rami Malek, Toni Collette, Carey Mulligan, and Jon Hamm, among others — continuing QCODE’s expansion into new formats in the traditional audio and video spaces as well as their successful track record packaging IP for film and television.

Bronstein brings QCODE more than two decades of experience at the intersection of audio and digital media. He previously held leadership roles at ByteDance and Apple, where he launched the company’s first original audiobook program and led marketing for Apple Books, Apple News, and Apple Podcasts. 

He began his career at the publishing titan Random House, producing Grammy-Award winning audiobooks with Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. As a producer and creative partner, Bronstein has worked on a wide range of acclaimed audio projects, including The Royals of Malibu, which reached No. 1 on Apple and Spotify fiction charts, and I Am Kobe, which won the Webby Award for Best Sport Podcast.

Since its founding in 2019, QCODE has released more than 40 original podcasts, each of which has topped the Apple Podcast Charts, in both the fiction category and the Top 10 overall. A number of QCODE series are already making the shift to screen, including The Prophecy staring Kerry Washington, which has been acquired by Amazon MGM Studios and ABC Signature, and The Left Right Game starring Tessa Thompson, which is being developed into a. Television series by Amazon Studios. For more information, visit www.QCODmedia.com.

About QCODE

QCODE, a premium content studio and podcast network, was launched in 2019 by former Creative Artists Agency agent Rob Herring. QCODE has released over 30 scripted podcasts with two TV adaptations across different genres, all of which have reached No.1 in the fiction category and top 10 overall on the Apple Podcast Charts. With these chart-topping, fan-favorite, critically acclaimed series, QCODE has quickly become the leading destination for scripted fiction and immersive storytelling in the podcast space.

Over the last year, QCODE has quietly expanded its reach and become a leading podcast 

Gamut Podcast Network Selects Flightpath To Power Real-Time Inventory Forecasting Across 250+ Shows

~ jen

Gamut Podcast Network, the dedicated podcast division of Hubbard Broadcasting, has partnered with Flightpath, the predictive analytics platform for on-demand media, to bring real-time inventory forecasting and campaign-performance insights to its more than 250 shows nationwide.

With Flightpath, Gallup’s sales and operation teams can see reliable availability months in advance, allowing them to package impressions by demo or geography at scale while continuing to deliver traditional direct-sold host- read campaigns; without overselling.

“Our advertisers buy us two ways: the classic host-read spots fans love and targeted impression packages built around specific demos or DMAs,” said John Goforth, Vice President & General Manager, Gamut Podcast Network. “Flightpath shows us, instantly, what we can deliver on both fronts, so our sellers move faster and our producers stay focused on great content.”

“Gamut is building a future-proof sales engine, and we’re excited to supply the data analytics foundation that makes it possible,” said Laurie Belleau, Chief Revenue Officer at Flightpath. “Real time, trusted availability means Gamut can say ‘yes’ more often and grow revenue with confidence.”

About Flightpath

Flightpath is the predictive analytics platform for on-demand media that delivers breakthrough reliability in availability forecasting and campaign performance prediction. Trusted by leading publishers and networks, we power the insights needed to increase profitability, unlock sales opportunities, and create operational efficiencies. Learn how publishers are supporting diverse sales strategies across platforms with the visibility and insight they need at flightpath.fm.

The Radcast Network Adds A New Team Member, Strengthening Show-To-Network Connection

~ jen

The Radcast Network is proud to announce the appointment of Bella Shafer as its new Podcast Coordinator. In this pivotal role, Bella will serve as a direct bridge between the shows and the network, ensuring seamless communication and supporting hosts as they grow their audiences and create meaningful content.

With an eye for operational clarity and a passion for creator empowerment, Bella steps into a role designed to deepen internal relationships and expand the reach of the network. Her work will include coordinating key growth initiative, offering support to podcasters at every stage of production, and helping facilitate new opportunities that align with The Radcast Network’s mission.

“Bella brings a rare mix of clarity, drive, and approachability to the table. As our Podcast Coordinator, she’s not just filling a role, she’s becoming the connective tissue that will help unify and elevate everything we’re building.” said Ryan Alford, CEO of The Radcast Network.

The Radcast Network continues to grow with intention, and the addition of Bella Shafer signals another step forward in building a network defined by creativity, connection, and a clear path for Podcasters to thrive.

About The Radcast Network

The Radcast Network is one of the fastest growing independent podcast networks adding over 40 shows to the roster in 2025 alone. The network is dedicated to helping creators grow, monetize, and connect. Through its custom-built and dynamic social app, The Radcast Network empowers podcast hosts to scale their audiences, unlock new revenue streams, and engage with a thriving community of like-minded voices. Whether you’re launching your first show or expanding an established brand, The Radcast Network provides the tools, support, and network to take your podcast to the next level.

Nielsen And Edison Research To Launch Groundbreaking Podcast Dataset in Nielsen’s Media Planning Tool

~ jen

Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data, and analytics announced a new collaboration with premier podcast research firm Edison Research, to launch Nielsen Podcast Fusion powered by Edison Research. For the first time, advertisers and agencies will be able to plan, optimize and compare all major media types — including podcasts, TV, radio, digital and social — in one place. 

This new data fusion will integrate the industry-leading Edison Podcast Metrics into Nielsen’s widely used media planning tool, Nielsen Media Impact (NMI). NPR and Ocean Media are among the charter subscribers at launch.

Podcasts have scale, now reaching the majority of adults 18-34 monthly with an impressive 32% share of ad-supported audio.  As podcast listenership continues to grow, it is critical for advertisers to have sophisticated tools and data to effectively plan, measure and optimize their audio investments.

Nielsen Podcast Fusion NMI will provide an even more holistic view of media planning and helping users uncover valuable insights and demonstrate the effectiveness of their campaigns. NMI users will also be able to optimize media plans by specific podcast networks and genres, as well as top podcast programs.

“We know that young people are consuming podcast as a huge part of their media diet,” said Rich Tunkel, Managing Director of Nielsen Audio. “Nielsen continues to be at the forefront of media measurement so that advertisers can create their plans with confidence. This new collaboration further extends that confidence to audio and podcasts.”  

“Nielsen Media Impact is a critical tool for cross-platform media planning, and we are excited to bring our best-in-class podcast measurement data to this ecosystem.” said Melissa Kieche, Senior Vice President at Edison Research. “Our strategic partnership will help advertisers better understand the power of podcasting and its role in the broader media landscape.”

“For our clients, seamless podcast planning alongside other audio and video channels is vital. The integration of podcast metrics into NMI makes tis a reality, allowing us to evaluate and develop more intelligent, cross-platform media strategies for our brands. We see this as a pivotal advancement.” – Marcella Wilfong, Associate Director — Planning & Insights, Open Media.

“Integrating podcast data with Nielsen Media Impact marks a pivotal step in how the industry approaches cross-media planning. With podcast now a key player in the advertising ecosystem, this collaboration will empower advertisers to harness detailed insights and optimize their campaigns effectively across all major types.” – Susan Leland, Director, Audience Insights at NPR.

Majority Of Brits Listened To A Podcast Last Month; Medium Poised For More Growth

~ jen

Edison Research’s The UK Podcast Consumer 2025 reveals the massive tech of podcasts in the UK and the indicators that podcast listening has room to grow.

Majority of Brits consumed podcast in the last month: 71% of those in the UK ages 16+ have ever consumed a podcast, 51% have consumed a podcast in the last month, and 33% have consumed a podcast in the last week.

 UK Podcast listening is poised for growth: Adoption of smart TV’s in homes for podcast consumption, more accessibility and variety of podcast on digital services, and increase in infotainment systems in cars all allow room for growth in the medium.

The number of UK weekly podcasts consumers ages 15+ who listen most often on a smart TV has doubled since 2023: 4% listened most often on a smart TV as of Q1 2023 compared to 8% who listened most often on a smart TV as of Q1 2023 compared to 8% who listened most often on a smart TV as of Q1 2025.

33% of UK weekly podcast listeners ages 15+ use Spotify most often to listen to podcasts; 20% use YouTube, 15% use BBC Sounds and 13% use Apple Podcasts.

38% of those in the UK ages 18+ who have driven or ridden in a car in the last month have either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in their primary vehicle.

Edison Research Senior Director of Research Gabriel Soto presented findings from the study, which combines research from Edison’s The Infinite Dial UK, Edison Podcast Metrics, and other original research.

“This year’s UK Podcast Consumer Report shows not only mainstream adoption, but also how podcasts are reaching valuable and diverse audiences,” said Soto. “For advertisers, this is a pivotal moment. We at Edison are bullish on podcasting because the data shows further adoption potential, robust ad ROI and tools already in place to help brands confidently invest in podcasts as a core part of their media strategy.”

Podcasts have broad generational appeal: 61% of those in the UK ages 16-24 are monthly podcast consumers, 56% of ages 35-54 are monthly podcast consumers, and 38% of ages 55+ are mostly podcast consumers.

Podcast advertising delivers a robust ROI: 83% of weekly podcast consumers ages 15+ in the UK agree that hearing aids is a fair price to pay for free content.

The Top UK-based Podcast reach U.S. listeners: The Top 10 UK-based podcasts (podcasts hosted by someone from the UK or produced by a UK organization) reach a cumulative 2.3 million weekly podcast listeners in the U.S. each week.

Other findings include:

59% of UK weekly podcast consumer ages 15+ listen to podcasts most often at home

66% of UK weekly podcast consumers ages 15+ listen to podcasts most often on a smartphone

About the study: The UK Podcast Consumer 2024 from Edison Research draws upon the following datasets: Edison Podcast Metrics UK, Edison Podcast Metrics US, The Infinite Dial UK with sponsors AdsWizz and Sirius XM, and the Fandom Phenomenon with sponsor Wondery.

Ausha Launches A New Version Of The PSO Control Panel, Available To All

~ jen

Ausha, the leading podcast marketing platform, announces the launch of a new version of its flagship PSO Control Panel, the go-to tool for managing Podcast Search Optimization (PSO) and increasing visibility on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Previously reserved for major industry players such as media groups (BBC Studios), podcast networks (Big Pond Podcasts), or podcast agencies (Resonate Recordings), the PSO suite is now available as a standalone offer — fully compatible with all hosting platforms.

This expansion makes a major evolution in the industry: independent creators, small B2B publishers and emerging studios can now integrate a high-impact optimization tool into their existing stack and actively develop their podcast SEO strategy to improve visibility on podcast apps.

A New Era For Podcast Visibility

For a long time, podcast publishers saw Apple Podcasts and Spotify merely as distribution platforms for their RSS feed. Once their show was live, they stopped there, doing nothing more to stand out among the millions of other shows competing for attention.

But today, that’s a missed opportunity. 1 in 2 listeners find new shows inside these apps, and 70% of them us the search tab. Still, most podcasters did noting to improve how they show up. Without the right tools, they couldn’t boos their visibility. They had to get or pay for ads to get discovered.

Ausha’s PSO Control Panel changes that.

Inspired by SEO principles but built specifically for podcast platforms, Podcast Search Optimization (PSO) gives creators access to data and recommendations to improve how their show appears in search results on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

At the heart of the PSO Control Panel, a dedicated interface that brings together all the tools needed to build and execute a Podcast Search Strategy.

Podcast creators will be able to:

Find the Best Keywords to Extend Their Reach: Podcast creators can see what listeners are really searching for. AI suggests the best keywords and shows how hard they are to rank for, so creators can focus on targeting the ones that will significantly grow their audience.

Optimize Episode Notes in Real Time: Creators get clear suggestions to improve their titles, descriptions and tags. As they make changes, they can see in real time how it improve their visibility in search results.

Track Their Rankings & Stay Ahead of the Competition: Podcasters can see which podcasts they’re competing with for each keyword, compare visibility, and track their progress over time. They can also filter results by platform, country, or category to stay focused.

Validated by Experts, Scaled For Every Publisher

Leading experts in the podcast industry have already made PSO part of their workflow. From agencies to networks, it’s now a key part of their visibility and growth strategy. Even podcast agencies are using the PSO Control Panel to extend their services.

Several of them have already seen powerful results:

As Stevie Manns, Executive Produce of The Bid Podcast at BlackRock explains: “We achieved gratification success with one of our episodes, seeing a huge uptick in subscriber growth across Apple Podcasts and Spotify — driven in part by optimizing effectively for PSO!”

Amanda Bermudez, Analyst for Global Digital Experience & Data Platforms at Blackrock, adds: “I really enjoyed the features of the PSO Control Panel. I liked being able to track our competitors for our tracked keyword and to do live search of keywords.”

Following its adoption by top media groups, agencies, and podcast networks, Ausha is now launching a self-serve version of the PSO Control Panel, compatible with all hosting platforms.

For those looking for advanced guidance, the full Ausha PRO offering remains available, with tailored consulting and strategic support from Ausha’s team of podcast marketing experts.