Audacy has quietly removed a batch of third‑party podcasts from its Audacy radio and podcast app, including the Podnews Weekly Review, signaling a continued strategic shift in how the company curates and distributes audio content.
An Audacy spokesperson clarified that the move affects lower‑engagement third‑party shows that accounted for a small percentage of overall listening. The app will continue to feature Audacy’s owned content, premium network shows, and key affiliate titles.
The decision reflects ongoing restructuring efforts at Audacy, which emerged from bankruptcy in late 2024 and has since been streamlining operations to focus on proprietary and high‑performing podcast assets.
What’s Being Removed and Why
Among the removed shows was the Podnews Weekly Review, a long‑running podcast that offered industry news and analysis for podcast professionals. Podnews confirmed that the series, hosted by James Cridland and Sam Sethi, had been available on the Audacy app before its removal.
An Audacy spokesperson told Podnews that the company “removed a number of lower‑engagement third‑party podcasts from the app which accounted for a very small percentage of overall listening.” The statement emphasized that the Audacy app will remain a home for a “robust slate” of content — including Audacy Originals, time‑shifted radio shows, premium network productions, and select affiliate podcasts — suggesting a prioritization of curated and proprietary offerings over a broad open directory.
A Broader Strategic Shift at Audacy
This content trimming follows a series of significant organizational changes at Audacy over the past two years. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2024, the company completed a financial restructuring in September 2024, reducing its debt and emerging under new ownership that includes Soros Fund Management.
Since the restructuring, Audacy has been reshaping its podcast and radio business. Major moves have included shutting down Pineapple Street Studios, a high‑profile third‑party podcast producer the company acquired in 2019, resulting in roughly 30 job cuts. Leaders described that closure as part of aligning resources with “core strengths” and the most promising growth opportunities for Audacy’s podcast business.
The departure of third‑party content from Audacy’s own app can be seen as an extension of this streamlining process — emphasizing proprietary shows and top‑performing titles while reducing support for external feeds that contribute less to user engagement.
Context: Distribution and Partnerships
Audacy’s strategy for distribution has also evolved. In July 2025, the company expanded distribution by adding all its podcasts and radio stations to the iHeartRadio app, operated by its competitor iHeartMedia. This unusual partnership suggests Audacy is prioritizing reach and accessibility — especially as users may encounter Audacy content on platforms where they already listen regularly.
At the same time, Audacy has pulled its own dedicated apps from some platforms (like Roku) due to low usage or shifting priorities, instead encouraging listeners to access content via alternatives such as TuneIn or iHeartRadio.
What This Means for Podcast Creators and Listeners
For creators, the removal of third‑party podcasts from Audacy’s app highlights the value of understanding not just where content is hosted, but how it is distributed and prioritized by platform owners. Shows that rely heavily on third‑party distribution may see reduced listening via the Audacy app itself, even while remaining accessible elsewhere through podcast directories and other listening apps.
Listeners who used the Audacy app as part of their podcast discovery workflow may notice fewer independent feeds available directly within the platform. However, most of these podcasts remain available via other podcast directories and listening platforms that adhere to open RSS standards.
Looking Ahead
Audacy’s recent changes underscore a broader industry trend toward consolidation, strategic curation, and platform focus on high‑value content. By narrowing its in‑app catalog, Audacy appears intent on strengthening its core content portfolio while leaning on partnerships and alternative distribution channels to maintain reach.
As media consumption patterns shift and competition among podcast platforms intensifies, creators and listeners alike may need to adapt to how and where audio content is made available — and where audiences are most likely to find it.
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