Podcast Show London announces advisors

• The Podcast Show London 2026 has announced its Advisory Board, including Steve Ackerman, Ruth Fitzsimons, Arif Noorani, Vicky Etchells, and our Editor, James Cridland. The event, which takes place in late May, also outlined its submission process for speakers and sessions.

  • First Release discount passes close on Jan 30 - so if you want to save up to £100 (US$135) on tickets then you’ll want to book now. (Podnews subscribers save even more).

• Podcast app Truefans has closed a funding round, valuing the company at £10 million (US $13.5mn). The total amount raised was not disclosed. The funding will accelerate product development, including a new hosting service, updated mobile apps, and, says founder Sam Sethi, “new Voice AI agents called Kevin and Kelly”. Sethi is also the co-host of the Podnews Weekly Review.

• Audacy has removed a number of third-party podcasts from its radio and podcast app (including the Podnews Weekly Review, which was here). An Audacy spokesperson told Podnews: “We’ve removed a number of lower-engagement third-party podcasts from the app which accounted for a very small percentage of overall listening. The Audacy App remains the home for a robust slate of podcasts, including all Audacy originals and time-shifted shows, all podcasts from our premium podcast network and Audacy Creator Lab, key affiliate partners, and other industry-leading titles.” The company, which exited a bankruptcy process last year, added all its podcasts and radio stations to the iHeart app, by its main competitor iHeartMedia, in July.

• Podcast app and host Fountain has launched Fountain for Artists, a specific music hosting service, using RSS. Music artists earn revenue every time a song is played, using Bitcoin. The tool uses the same functionality as Podcasting 2.0's “streaming sats”.

• The FCC has told broadcasters that if a candidate appears on a talk program, they may require “equal time” for other candidates, writes media lawyer David Oxenford. The ruling appears to target shows like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. (It could also cover talk podcasts, if they are aired on an FCC-licensed broadcaster - whether that’s television or radio. The FCC does not regulate podcast output, nor services like Netflix).

  • Stephen Colbert responded to FCC Chair Brendan Carr: “I’m flattered you think that appearing on my show has the power to affect politics in any way. If the government had turned out the way I had chosen, you would not have the power to make this announcement.”

• Remote recording company StreamYard, which was bought by Bending Spoons in April 2024, has increased pricing for one customer (with four team members) from $89 a month to $417 a month, after the company made more amendments to its pricing model. It first put pricing up in Sept 2024, after removing pricing altogether from its website for two months.

  • Bending Spoons also owns Vimeo, which saw a large portion of the company, including the whole video team, laid-off last week. It has a history of raising prices and cutting staff. Eventbrite is the latest company to be acquired; Bending Spoons already owns Meetup.

• The BBC’s You’re Dead To Me podcast has announced a live tour across Great Britain in March and April.

Podcast News - with Airwave

For your Ambies Consideration: This Is Woman’s Work with Nicole Kalil is nominated for Best Growth/Spirituality Podcast. With Airwave, it explores the multifaceted experiences of today’s women, confirming that the new definition of “woman’s work” is whatever feels authentic, true, and right for you.

Talk Property To Me is celebrating its 100th episode. The show discusses the Australian property market, from property hotspots around the country to discussions about changes in legislation and how buyers can get on the market.

Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast is new on Netflix (in the US), alongside audio (everywhere). the singer/songwriter Kenny Chesney is the first guest. It’s from iHeart.

In Alors là, Chapeau! - normally in French, but in English this time round - interviews our Editor, James Cridland. The first eight minutes is free; the rest is available to subscribers of La Lettre Pro, a French radio and podcast newsletter. The host is its Editor, Philippe Chapot.

Teaching through Emotions is launching a Valentine’s Day advent calendar on their Substack community to help listeners work on their relationships everyday, not just on “love day”. The first three tips drop Feb 2.

Quit Playin’ with Jazmyn and Amber is where comedy, motherhood, and pop culture collide. Hosted by comedians and moms Amber Wallin and Jazmyn W., the show serves up unfiltered conversations that are as hilarious as they are relatable. From the chaos of raising kids to the latest trending topics, this show is your go-to escape for laughs, real talk, and a reminder that you’re not alone in the beautiful mess of it all.

New this week is Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles. For the first time, the Sonic universe comes to life in audio, as Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon, and Charmy Bee of the Chaotix Detective Agency are tasked with solving their biggest mystery yet. Styled after classic detective radio dramas, the series blends noir-inspired intrigue with Sonic’s signature energy, creating a fresh way for fans to experience the world of Sonic.