In a special episode of "Podnews Weekly Review" — the “last word in podcasting news” — senior executives from leading companies in the podcast industry shared their highlights from 2025 and predictions for 2026. Hosted by James Cridland and Sam Sethi, the episode features insights from leaders across Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout, Spotify, Amazon, Pocket Casts, and Edison Research.
Apple Podcasts’ Ben Cave emphasized that podcasts remain “open by design,” signaling the platform’s continued commitment to innovation and openness in podcast distribution.Platform openness aligns with broader industry trends favoring cross‑platform distribution and open RSS feeds — a key distinction from closed ecosystems in other media.
Jordan Blair from Buzzsprout warned of an “absolute brick wall of AI fatigue” ahead, where creators and listeners alike may feel overwhelmed by constant AI hype — echoing broader conversations about AI’s role in podcasting workflows and content creation.
Spotify’s Roman Wasenmüller focused on authenticity and audience loyalty as defining factors in podcast success, matching industry reports that strong listener engagement continues to drive growth across platforms.
Shea Simpson from Amazon predicted that video podcasting will continue to evolve, reflecting the broader trend of visual formats gaining traction among audiences.
Ellie from Pocket Casts encouraged more adoption of Podcasting 2.0 features, such as enhanced metadata and decentralized technologies, while Edison Research’s Megan Lazovick joked that the next Infinite Dial presentation might even be a musical — a humorous nod to how podcast culture is expanding beyond traditional formats.
This conversation reflects key 2025 trends: video growth, AI integration, authentic creator‑audience relationships, and open distribution. Creators and brands listening to Podnews Weekly Review can expect innovation paired with thoughtful reflection as the medium evolves into 2026.
