Acast: “the format argument is over”

• 88% of podcast consumers are consuming both audio and video - up ten points from last year. And, 63% of listeners start an episode in one format and finish it in another, according to Acast’s new Podcast Pulse 2026, researched across thirteen markets by research firm Differentology. “The industry spent years arguing over formats, but audiences moved on long ago,” said Greg Glenday, CEO at Acast. “A podcast fan’s decision isn’t driven by format loyalty; it’s driven by whether they’re driving at 7 AM or on the couch at 9 PM. Once you see that, the audio-versus-video debate stops being interesting, and a much better commercial opportunity takes its place.”

• Exclusive: Comedy continues to grow in podcasting: Drew Spears Productions has announced the launch of DSP Podcasts, the podcast production and distribution arm of DSP. Started by Drew Spears in 2021, the comedy company, which runs a studio and event space in Frog Town and runs livestreaming events, is launching a number of shows.

• Crossed Wires, the UK podcast festival, generated over £6.6mn (US $8.8mn) in total economic impact to its home city of Sheffield, according to results released today. Just over half of festivalgoers travelled from outside of South Yorkshire. The event was an almost even spread of ages.

• While Apple Podcasts offered an updated video experience in March, it hasn’t been able to be part of Apple Podcasts Subscriptions - until now. The company has announced that you’ll soon be able to offer video directly through Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. No date has been given; we presume this was teased last week in closed sessions during Podcast Movement.

• Apple Podcasts and Apple Maps launched “Hidden Histories”, plotting podcast episodes on a map for specific places in US cities.

  • While it works best with some human curation, this feature can also exist in open RSS, like this example, which shows podcasts “about” places (marked pink) on a map. Combined with OpenStreetMap identifiers, you could produce these maps at scale. This uses the podcast:location tag, which is supported by a number of podcast hosts.

• Now that Podnews is back from the United States, perhaps we’re clear to mention that Global is to launch a major new investigative series into Jeffrey Epstein, and his connections to Britain. It will be hosted by Emily Maitlis, who conducted the now infamous 2019 interview with the former Prince Andrew, confronting him about his links to Epstein.

• The first webinar focusing on The Podcast Study 2026 revealed that one of the most successful things in any podcast is the host - 82% of people said that the host of a show was either a big part of, or the only reason for, their listening. There are more in the series to register for.

• Ibiza is well-known for its nightlife and its electro dance, but it’s also home of “Podcast in Paradise”, a one-day event “for people who already understand the power of audio, storytelling and communication—and want to take their skills, confidence and content to the next level”. It’s next week.

• Podcast Nation has signed Bravo Breaking News, the weekly podcast covering the latest headlines, cast updates, social media drama, and buzzy moments across the Bravoverse.

• For another point of view on the Podtastic app, which we covered yesterday, Steve Phillips spoke to the developer.

People News

• Charlotte Begg has been appointed Editor-in-Chief at Mamamia. She’s been with the company since 2019.
• Matthew McLean has joined the team at Captivate as a Content Writer. He joins from The Podcast Host.

Tips and tricks - with Audiencelift

• How can you make podcast ads that work for both video and audio? Matthew McLean, now at Captivate, explains what he calls the AUDIBLE technique, to make sure your ads work as well as possible.
• If You Need ROI by Month Two, Do Not Start a Podcast, warns Resonate Recordings.

Podcast News - with Airwave

With Airwave: It’s probably never been more important to understand China than now - and The History of China is a journey through the 5,000 years of the country’s history. The show covers all eras of the country’s history, from recent events to the Ming Dynasty.

Jack Rhysider (Darknet Diaries) just launched a new podcast: LOW. “This five-part series follows a boy forced too early into the jaws of the world, and the man he becomes while trying to survive it.” Of interest: he shares a link to his stats on the front page of the website.

Why would someone decide to risk their life for a country that is not their own? What might they be searching for? From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, Call Sign Condor: Latino Soldiers Fighting in Ukraine is a podcast about the thousands of Latin American soldiers who are fighting in Ukraine — for Ukraine. Through the stories of our protagonist, Condor, and his fellow soldiers, this four-part podcast series will take you inside the lives of Latin American men and women who’ve been fighting — some of them for years — in the war in Ukraine.

Este podcast se adentra en la vida de los soldados latinoamericanos que han viajado a Ucrania para combatir en una guerra muy lejos de casa. A través de sus historias, la corresponsal Carolina Chamoy explora qué los llevó al frente de batalla, cómo han vivido la guerra y qué han encontrado allí: violencia, miedo, pérdida, pero también pertenencia, propósito e incluso el amor. A través de la historia de Cóndor y otros soldados, este podcast plantea una pregunta central: ¿qué busca alguien cuando decide arriesgar su vida por un país que no es el suyo? Esto es Alias Cóndor: Soldados Latinos en la Guerra de Ucrania, una producción de DW, LA Times Studios y Futuro Studios.

Salty Sweet: The Healing Podcast for Couples on the Brink, is a new podcast where you go inside the real, unscripted therapy sessions of one couple navigating intimacy, trust, betrayal, and the deep patterns shaping their relationship. Guided by Dr. Pavini Moray, you’ll follow two people facing the hard work of rupture and repair without knowing if their relationship will survive. You’ll hear the arguments that go nowhere and the breakthroughs that alter everything. Is love is enough to keep them together?

Podcasts in the wild

In London somewhere, and sent in by Podnews reader Matt, is this thing, trundling around promoting Health or Hype, a brand new podcast from British fitness coach Joe Wicks, and health insurance company Bupa. It’s bright and unmissable, especially when parked in the middle of the road with the hazards on.