“As video podcasting has grown in popularity, we have learned that creator-led, video-integrated shows have different audience needs and require distinct discovery, growth, and monetization strategies,” wrote Steve Boom, Amazon VP for Audio, Twitch, and Games, in a memo published by Deadline.
Wondery Plus App Still Active
While the Wondery studio is being broken up, some of its branding will remain.
The Wondery Plus app will stay live, offering early access to episodes. However, it’s unclear whether its full functionality will remain separate from Audible’s expanding podcast features.
This shake-up comes as the podcast industry faces growing pressure to monetize. U.S. podcast advertising revenue is expected to reach $2.5 billion in 2025 and surpass $3 billion by 2028, per a forecast by eMarketer.
Amazon has been promoting audio ads through both Amazon Music and Alexa, heavily pitching these formats during its annual advertising upfronts.
“The podcast landscape has evolved significantly over the past few years,” Boom noted, highlighting Amazon’s pivot toward more video-forward and sponsorship-driven models.
