Several well-known brands in the podcasting world are falling by the wayside in 2024, a result of mergers, integrations, financial pressures and business pivots.
Spotify, which has purchased several smaller companies in recent years, is retiring some of the brands and integrating their tools and services under the Spotify name.
Gimlet Media: Acquired by Spotify, Gimlet Media faced significant downsizing and layoffs in early 2024 as Spotify streamlined its podcasting operations.
While not a complete shutdown, the company’s future remains uncertain as it integrates further into Spotify’s ecosystem. Gimlet’s podcasts remain accessible on Spotify, though new content production may be reduced.
Suggested Alternatives: Users can explore similar storytelling podcasts on Luminary, NPR, and Wondery.
Anchor: Spotify’s podcast creation platform, Anchor, faced integration issues and was eventually folded into Spotify’s main app in 2024.
The platform itself was discontinued as Spotify sought to unify its podcasting tools, but Anchor’s features are now part of Spotify’s podcasting tools.
Suggested Alternatives: Podcasters can use Buzzsprout, Podbean, and Libsyn for hosting and distributing podcasts.
Megaphone: Another Spotify-owned entity, Megaphone, faced downsizing in 2024 as part of Spotify’s broader cost-cutting measures. The company continues to operate but with a reduced staff and scaled-back operations.
Suggested Alternatives: Other podcast hosting services like Blubrry, Podbean, and Spreaker can be considered.
Other big names are also making moves with both purchased and internal brands.
Stitcher, owned by SiriusXM, announced its planned closure for August 2024. The decision was part of SiriusXM’s strategy to consolidate its podcast content under the Pandora brand. The Stitcher platform will no longer be available post-shutdown.
Suggested Alternatives: Users can migrate to platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Audible.
Wondery: Amazon’s podcasting arm, Wondery, experienced a major restructuring in July 2024, leading to significant layoffs and the closure of several of its podcast series. This move aims to streamline operations and focus on high-performing content.
Audible, linked above, remains as Amazon's primary podcast platform. Many Wondery podcasts remain available, but the lineup may be reduced.
Suggested Alternatives: Users can access similar content on platforms like Audible and Spotify.
iHeartRadio underwent a significant restructuring in early 2024, leading to layoffs and the shuttering of some of its less popular podcast channels. They also narrowly avoided a strike by newly-unionized employees in their podcasting group.
Most of iHeartRadio’s podcasts remain available, though some channels were shuttered.
Suggested Alternatives: Users can find similar content on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Pandora.
Suggested Alternatives: Users can use YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Pocket Casts.
Several other podcasting businesses are in various stages of bankruptcy, with most hoping restructure their debs and business models to continue as independent businesses. One name, however, Is looking for a buyer and may fold entirely.
Audacy: This major radio and podcast company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2024 due to macroeconomic challenges and a need to restructure its debt. The company continues to operate while it sorts through financial issues.
Many of its radio and podcasting services remain active during the restructuring process.
Suggested Alternatives: Users can explore other major podcast platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts for similar content.
Vox Media: In February 2024, Vox Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, attributing its financial woes to a combination of high operational costs and a challenging advertising market. The company is currently restructuring to continue its operations.
Many of Vox Media’s podcasts are still available, but future productions may be impacted.
Suggested Alternatives: Users can find similar content on Slate, The Verge, and other tech and news podcasts on major platforms.
Red Ventures: This digital media company, which owns several podcasting brands including The Points Guy, Bankrate, Lonely Planet and CNET, filed for bankruptcy in April 2024. Red Ventures is restructuring its business to focus on its most profitable segments while divesting from less successful ventures.
According to their website, the new focus is Red Digital, An AI-powered marketing solutions business spun out of the legacy platform.
Suggested Alternatives: Users can look for alternatives on platforms like iHeartRadio, PodcastOne, and Wondery/Audible.
Acast: This podcast hosting and monetization company filed for bankruptcy in June 2024. Acast is seeking buyers for its assets as it attempts to pay off its creditors.
Acast’s platform and services might be disrupted during this period.
Suggested Alternatives: Users can consider other podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout, Podbean, and Anchor.
And finally, one industry player has left the business completely.
Google Podcasts: Google announced the shutdown of its Podcasts app in the United States effective April 2, 2024. Users were encouraged to transition their subscriptions to YouTube Music.
This move consolidates Google’s podcast offerings under the YouTube brand, aligning with user behavior trends. The Google podcast service is longer available.
