The Podcast Top 5

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we break down Netflix’s new Clips feature a vertical, TikTok-style feed designed to surface bite-sized highlights and drive viewers into full shows. YouTube is also rolling out curated “top podcast lineups” across genres like Sports, Comedy, and True Crime, aimed largely at advertisers navigating the podcast boom. &nbsp...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we break down Spotify’s warning for podcasters using API-based video uploads, Buzzsprout adding video distribution to Apple Podcasts, and SiriusXM becoming the exclusive seller of YouTube audio ads in the U.S.   Plus, Instagram’s “Great Purge of 2026” wipes out millions of fake followers, impacting everyone f...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, China tightens rules on podcast creators, Oxford Road calls out a $1B measurement problem, and Netflix bets on smaller podcasts heading to streaming.   Plus, Audiochuck makes a massive $150M move into ads and video, proving podcasting is getting bigger (and more valuable) than ever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we cover Acast opening a new studio in SoHo with Ariana Grande appearing on Shut Up Evan, NPR launching its new Pod Club recommendation newsletter, and a new hosting platform called Fountain for Podcasters.   Plus, this week’s podcast pick is It’s Going DOWN in the Comments with Drew Afualo, diving into the wildest TikTo...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we’re covering some big moves in the podcast world. Storytelling powerhouse MrBallen has signed a major distribution and monetization deal with SiriusXM, expanding his reach across both audio and video platforms.   Meanwhile, Minneapolis has a new podcast hub with the launch of AMP Studios, a unique production space located in...

On this week’s Podcast Top 5, Emily Soule brings you the latest podcast news:   Trebble just launched DeepCut, an AI editing tool that lets podcasters cut, polish, and refine episodes using plain language, plus an optional Safe Cut feature for natural-sounding edits. Oxford Road unveiled ORBIT, the first podcast ranking system based on ad performance rather than popularity, giving marke...

On this week’s Podcast Top 5, Emily Soule brings you the latest podcast news: Diary of a CEO fans can catch a special Louis Tomlinson episode in six Cineworld cinemas across the UK and Ireland before it drops anywhere else. PodRoll launches PodRoll Video Promos on Apple Podcasts, letting creators add unskippable trailers right in their feed.   Hollywood is joining the podcast party, Gol...

On this week’s Podcast Top 5, Emily Soule dives into the latest in podcasting: Podcasts are now a major news source, with 54% of U.S. adults tuning in and Republicans reportedly trusting them twice as much as Democrats. YouTube launches YouTube Labs, offering AI music hosts that bring trivia, stories, and commentary to your playlists.   Over in the UK, HERA, a female-founded video podca...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we cover Amazon Prime Video streaming New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce in the U.S. (international fans, you’re on YouTube for now). Steven Goldstein weighs in on how the term “podcast” now means personality-driven, on-demand content, no matter the platform. Spotify is testing AI transparency tools for music, an...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we dive into MrBeast’s recent controversy over alleged misleading YouTube ads aimed at kids and questionable privacy practices. PodAnalyst launches a new analytics tool unifying Apple, Spotify, and YouTube data, free for shows under 1,000 listeners. Big ad spenders like Amazon and GoDaddy are shaking up the podcast marketing world,...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we cover the latest podcast scams targeting unsuspecting guests, don’t click that “big-name podcaster” email just yet. Canada’s podcast scene is booming, with 46% of listeners tuning in monthly, and Adam Carolla celebrates a milestone 4,000th episode with none other than Jay Leno. Descript is shaking up subscripti...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we’re exploring Brazil’s massive rise as a podcast powerhouse and why creators ignoring the country are missing out on a huge audience. Apple Podcasts 26 is here with AI-powered dialogue enhancement, per-show playback speeds, and a refreshed interface. Amazon Ads and SiriusXM team up to bring programmatic audio advertising to...

On this week’s episode of The Podcast Top 5 hosted by Emily Soule, we uncover fresh insights from Sounds Profitable showing that nearly half of YouTube podcast users actually listen more than they watch—while Spotify audiences lean the other way. Emily also spotlights the launch of Podhome, a new app with transcripts, chapters, and live podcast features, plus key takeaways from The Pod...

This week on The Podcast Top 5 hosted by Emily Soule, we dive into the latest shifts shaking up the podcasting world. From new data showing fans are spending over 6 hours a week with their favorite shows, to Spotify’s Follow-Along feature turning audiobooks into multimedia experiences, there’s no shortage of innovation. Captivate rolls out powerful growth tools, Variety shuts down Emmy...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we’re covering a major shake-up: Podcast Movement and Sounds Profitable have merged in a seven-figure deal, with Bryan Barletta stepping in as President and the 2026 flagship event heading to New York City. Libsyn is helping creators get discovered with PodRoll, a brand-new tool that promotes shows directly in podcast feeds. Wonder...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we’re covering Libsyn’s massive milestone — over $112 million paid to creators since 2017, with new tools to help podcasters monetize from day one. We’ll dig into fresh data showing Gen Z’s podcast habits are driven by YouTube and social media, plus the wild ripple effect of Taylor Swift’s appearance o...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, host Emily Soule breaks down the latest in podcasting. Spotify is rolling out age checks in the UK with facial recognition and ID scans, stirring up conversations about safety and privacy. Football fans are diving into The Players Lounge, a new game from the team behind The Rest is Football. Meanwhile, London is becoming a hub for video-first shows as Podshop...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we’re unpacking Apple’s latest move to keep your podcast listening habits private, even adding “noise” to mask your data. In Spain, public broadcaster RTVE is blocking RNE shows from third-party apps, sparking concerns about the future of open RSS. Spotify is testing a new Audiobooks+ add-on with 15 hours of month...

In this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule , we’re breaking down Acast’s new global partnership with Magnite — a major move that could boost discoverability (and revenue) for podcasters everywhere. Apple is also leveling up its audio game with an “Enhance Dialog” feature for crisper sound and an Automix tool for music lovers. TIME just revealed its 10...

On this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule, we’re diving into Edison Research’s new UK report showing podcast listening on TV has doubled — with Spotify and BBC Sounds pulling ahead of Apple. In the U.S., Gen Z and young millennials are now listening to podcasts just as much as radio, a massive shift from a decade ago. Amazon’s Steve Boom insists Wondery&rs...

In this episode of The Podcast Top 5, hosted by Emily Soule , we’re diving into Apple Podcasts’ ultra-selective “Best So Far” list — and why most of the world didn’t make the cut. Then, we break down Wondery’s corporate shake-up as Amazon lays off 110 staff and restructures its podcast empire. Plus: a hilarious case of mistaken identity between two nearly...

This week on The Podcast Top 5, host Emily Soule dives into the big waves and bold moves in podcasting across the globe. France is calling for podcasting to be officially recognized as a cultural industry (oui, please), a new player enters the scene with the launch of Mission Media AI, and Audacy shuts the doors on Pineapple Street Studios in yet another shake-up.   Oh, and in case you missed...

This week on The Podcast Top 5, host Emily Soule takes you inside the buzziest headlines in the podcast world: The Astra Podcast Awards are officially on the horizon, Acast signs the ever-viral Giggly Squad, and advertisers are finally putting their money where the mic is.   Plus, PodWoman is back and this year it’s in person! From big brand love to celebrating powerhouse women in audio...

On this week’s episode of The Podcast Top 5, host Emily Soule breaks down the latest shifts in podcastland, from a noticeable drop in new episode uploads this June (is podcast burnout a thing?) to The Podcast Standards Project officially certifying new players in the space.   Plus, we’ve got a comedy podcast festival going global and former footballer Jermaine Jenas stepping into...

This week on The Podcast Top 5, host Emily Soule dives into the latest podcast power moves and plot twists. From Spotify losing Trevor Noah to Marc Maron calling it quits after 16 years of WTF, the industry’s getting a shake-up. Plus, YouTube dominates news podcast listening in the US, and Spotify rolls out new podcast discovery features (but… how do they actually work?).   And f...