DWNLOAD Media

What does 2025 hold for podcasting? Our CEO, Chris Peterson, was featured as an industry expert in The Podglomerate’s Podcast Predictions for 2025! Many of the brightest minds in podcasting – from creators to CEOs and beyond – reflect on this past year and share how they're feeling about the industry. Join in on the #PodcastPredictions2025 celebration: https://lnkd.in/g2dxMecU?

The State of the Podcast Industry Q3 is out! We decided to release our Q3 Update a bit early, driven by the incredible momentum we’re seeing across the podcast space. In our view, this past quarter represents a key turning point for the industry, largely influenced by the recent election cycle. Read the full update here:?https://lnkd.in/eCDGum9n (Free) For those still questioning the shift toward digital audio, take a look at this Google Trends graph from 2004 to present: Howard Stern (red) vs. Joe Rogan (blue). The transition to digital is clear and accelerating. ????? #podcasting #podcasts #audio #investing #radio #audio

The New York Times is expanding its audio subscription service to Apple Podcasts and Spotify, giving listeners the option to pay $6/month or $50/year for access to their back catalog of episodes, already offered in their NYT Audio app. As highlighted in the DWNLOAD Media Report, subscription revenue presents a massive opportunity in the podcasting world. We're already seeing this, as many companies I’ve worked with have consistently raised their subscription revenue forecasts throughout the year. It’s clear the Times sees the same potential, smartly making their subscriptions available on more platforms. And let’s not forget—the Times knows a thing or two about subscriptions. With nearly 11 million subscribers already and an ambitious target of 15 million by the end of 2027, they’ve mastered the art of converting readers (and now listeners) into loyal paying customers. Or did they master the art of converting listeners into paid readers...? ?? That said, I’d love to see more creativity around subscription models over the next few quarters. The current playbook of back catalog access and windowed content is a solid start, but there’s room to push the envelope. Think special events, one-off purchases, or truly premium bonus content that’s actually worth the price tag. Wait... am I accidentally describing OnlyFans for audio? Anyway, back to the real point: Subscriptions are on track to become not just a significant revenue stream for top-tier creators, but the dominant one. Combine that with the impressive growth in podcast ad revenue—which is outpacing nearly every other digital medium—and it's clear we’re looking at an industry that’s still wildly undervalued. h/t Sara Fischer -- ?? I'm the founder of DWNLOAD Media, a fund that invests in the audio space. I'm also available for advising services in and around the audio space. If you'd like to learn more, DM me! Read the DWNLOAD Report Q2 Update: https://lnkd.in/evdQkFwb

"A new survey of more than 50 chief executives across the industry finds most of their companies are having a stronger year. DWNLOAD Media says 72.5% of the CEOs it surveyed said 2024 revenue is outpacing last year." ?? ?? https://lnkd.in/egiS4M9R