Sounds Profitable

Today in the business of podcasting:
Triton Digital's Mattia Verzella explains why publishers should stop comparing ad revenue by CPM alone, arguing that programmatic, direct, and backfill demand each play a different strategic role in a healthy audio marketplace.
Amazon is launching a Creator Hub on Fire TV this summer, bringing videos and podcasts from over 120 creators, including MrBeast and Dude Perfect, into one discoverable place on connected TVs.
Magellan AI's first Podcast Measurement Benchmark Report finds podcast ads drive clicks, leads, and sales, with video podcasts and host-read ads outperforming other formats on response and conversion.
YouGov's U.S. Podcast Advertising Report 2026 shows podcast ads are the most-skipped yet least-annoying format, with 60% of listeners taking action after an ad despite low trust scores.
Kirby Grines breaks down the new content model that is cheaper, faster, and less Hollywood, with video podcasts and interface control reshaping how streaming platforms compete.
To find links to these, and every article covered in today's episode, click here. You can also subscribe to The Download's newsletter to receive the full issue straight to your email inbox every day.

Today in the business of podcasting:
New Sounds Profitable and JAR Podcast Solutions research finds 61% of podcast listeners discover their favorite shows through YouTube and social media, with YouTube now the most-used podcast platform ahead of Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Penske Media Corporation is acquiring the remaining assets of Vox Media, including The Verge, Eater, and SB Nation, completing the breakup of one of digital media's largest independent companies while the podcast network goes to James Murdoch's Lupa Systems.
Oxford Road released its Top Performing International Podcasts ranker, scoring shows on advertiser return on investment rather than download counts and drawing on roughly $1.8 billion in verified podcast ad spend.
Ad Results Media argues podcast marketers must plan beyond audio, citing Nielsen data on host-read recall and YouTube's 1 billion monthly podcast viewers to make the case for integrated audio, video, and social campaigns.
To find links to these, and every article covered in today's episode, click here. You can also subscribe to The Download's newsletter to receive the full issue straight to your email inbox every day.

Today in the business of podcasting:
Podcast Movement 2026 tickets are now on sale for $199, with the New York City conference set for September 17 and 18 at Terminal 5. The open call for speakers runs through June 30, with half of all sessions selected by popular vote.
Tubefilter, in partnership with Comscore, the Whalar Group, and Gospel Stats, publishes "The Creators List," a guide to the content creators attending this year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Apple announces OS 27, bringing upgraded video podcast playback, a fully redesigned Apple TV Podcasts app, and a smart downloads system ahead of a July 2026 public beta.
Substack is actively working on distributing video podcasts to Apple Podcasts via HLS, according to comments from Substack product manager Zach Taylor.
Point-To-Point Marketing's Tim Bronsil makes the case that YouTube is the most overlooked revenue stream in audio, as audiences follow trusted personalities and content rather than platforms.
To find links to these, and every article covered in today's episode, click here. You can also subscribe to The Download's newsletter to receive the full issue straight to your email inbox every day.

Podcast Movement is coming to New York City! Tickets are now on sale for the two events running September 14-18: the Sounds Profitable Business Summit and Podcast Movement NYC. The open call for Podcast Movement 2026 speakers is open until Tuesday, June 30.
The era of growing a podcast audience by making people curious about podcasting is over — the people who were going to discover the medium on its own merits already have. New research shows YouTube and social feeds now dominate how listeners find shows, but the single most effective discovery tool is still a friend's recommendation. The practical upshot: stop over-investing in the channels ranked lowest by your own listeners, and start making your show easy to describe, share, and recommend.

Tom Webster argues that LLMs have advanced faster than most people realize, and that pretending otherwise is magical thinking. He traces his own journey from basic prompt use to running local models on a home server, all without a coding background, to show that these tools are accessible to anyone willing to engage. And he has some pointed advice for anyone still on the fence about embracing AI in their work.
Written by Tom Webster
Edited and narrated by Gavin Gaddis

Find the full article here.

Today in the business of podcasting:
New Edison Research Podcast Metrics data shows Netflix and Tubi are gaining traction as video podcast platforms, with 14% of U.S. weekly podcast consumers using Netflix and 4% using Tubi, while YouTube leads at 64% and Spotify follows at 42%.
A reported $100 million deal has taken Jay Shetty's podcast On Purpose into exclusivity with Spotify and Netflix, with Spotify handling global ad sales and Netflix securing the video rights, raising questions about whether major exclusivity deals can successfully pull audiences off YouTube.
Several new podcasts are launching in connection with the U.S. 250th anniversary, including Reconstruction: The Unfinished Promise with President Barack Obama, First America from Pushkin Industries and Critical Frequency, and The Indigenous Setlist from Indigenous House and Little Bear Audio.
YouTube is hosting a free live webinar on June 17 to help podcasters set up Channel Memberships, covering perks, pricing tiers, and strategies for converting casual viewers into paying members.
To find links to these, and every article covered in today's episode, click here. You can also subscribe to The Download's newsletter to receive the full issue straight to your email inbox every day.