Is Audio-First Still Podcasting’s Superpower? – James Cridland, Podnews

Welcome to episode 2 of AMPLIFY! Our guest is James Cridland, the Brisbane-based editor & publisher of the industry-leading daily briefing Podnews and a self-styled “radio futurologist” with 35 years in audio innovation. From launching the first mobile radio stream in 2005 to mapping tomorrow’s on-demand landscape, James brings deep insight into where podcasts—and radio - go next. Main Conversation: We explore how an audio-first mindset can keep podcasting distinctive while embracing new platforms, formats and revenue streams. What you’ll hear James’ career arc – from award-winning radio producer and tech trail-blazer to the daily voice behind Podnews’ 7.2 bn-dollar industry coverage. “Something for your ears when your eyes are busy.” Why that simple test still defines a podcast—and why the word still matters. The video surge (and coming cooldown). Spotify, YouTube and creators chased higher CPMs; James predicts many shows will pull back once ROI reality bites. Business growing pains. Lay-offs, shuttered apps (RIP Google Podcasts) and big wins: Acast and Spotify hit full-year profit while ad spend tops $2.4 bn in the US. Niche power & community monetisation. From daily “Horses in the Morning” to B2B shows, tight audiences unlock premium sponsors, subscriptions and live events. Mainstream milestone. Monthly podcast listening now exceeds 50 % of adults in the US and UK, with steady global climb rather than a hype-cycle spike. Future bets. Stadium tours, branded merch—even SIM-card services—plus smarter pricing to avoid ad overload and keep skip-buttons at bay. Radio vs. podcasts. How European broadcasters thrive by treating “radio” as every channel, and why US AM/FM’s narrower definition should be a cautionary tale. Connect & Follow James Cridland Newsletter & news hub: https://podnews.net/ Personal site: https://james.cridland.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescridland/ Host – Max Conrad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximilianconrad1000/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr.max.conrad/ Stay in the loop with DMEXCO (https://dmexco.com/) and BVDW (https://www.bvdw.org/) for the latest in digital & audio marketing. This podcast is produced by Hypecast Productions—hit follow, drop a rating, and share the episode with your community! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.