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Five key developments shaping digital audio landscape
RSS.com launched a free podcast hosting plan Monday, removing cost barriers for aspiring creators. The tier includes unlimited episodes, automatic distribution to major platforms, scheduling tools and Podcasting 2.0 features, with analytics capped at 90 days. The move addresses one of the industry’s biggest entry obstacles—upfront hosting costs—particularly for hobbyists testing concepts before committing financially.
Goalhanger unveiled a multi-platform rebrand Monday under the tagline “For the Curious,” marking its evolution from podcast-first company to cross-platform media operation. The network now reaches 70 million monthly podcast streams and 150 million video views, with half its audience watching rather than listening. Research found 74% of listeners discovered additional shows through brand recognition alone, signaling the network’s growing influence across digital platforms.
UK podcast “A Gay and A NonGay” paused production after nearly a decade, with creator James Barr citing shifts in cultural context and personal priorities. The show, which won a Webby Award in 2025 and generated over 400 nominations in various competitions, helped listeners come out and find community. Barr emphasized the pause is not permanent, with future collaborations with co-host Dan Hudson remaining possible.
The Women Podcasters Awards opened global nominations Monday for its 2026 competition, accepting entries through March 31. Founder Jennifer Henczel kept nomination fees deliberately low to reduce financial barriers, with Early Bird pricing available until January 1. Last year’s inaugural event drew over 400 nominees and 15,000 public votes, highlighting growing demand for recognition of women-led podcasting.
Triton Digital’s Q3 data revealed direct correlations between podcast genres and shopping behaviors, providing advertisers with purchase-intent mapping ahead of Black Friday. True crime and comedy listeners skewed toward big-box retailers (87.6% and 86.6% respectively), while technology and business podcast fans favored luxury boutiques and department stores. Online shoppers consumed more tech and health content; in-person shoppers preferred news and sports programming.
Resources and links mentioned in this Episode
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