A warning about podcast ad load?

Sponsored by SoundStack. Your new revenue opportunity lives in existing podcast content. Rediscover, repurpose, and monetize more of the audio and video you already have with SoundStack AI. Learn more Exclusive: Podcast ad load is "flashing a yellow light", suggests new research. The Podcast Study 2026 will reveal in a webinar next Tuesday that the majority of podcast listeners - 54.8% - suggest that there are already too many ads in podcasts: and only 8.6% say that they would tolerate more ads to keep shows free. The research also suggests that social media is three times more effective at helping listeners find new podcasts than ads in other shows. Joe Rogan has renewed his agreement with Spotify. He last renewed in Feb 2024, and the show returned to open RSS and YouTube shortly after (and also, we're told, started carrying midrolls at this time). The agreement is thought to be worth $250mn, a figure denied by Spotify last time round; but someone with knowledge of Rogan's numbers and the ad revenue he attracts suggests that it's a profitable deal for Spotify. Podscribe suggests recent shows have contained 15 ads (an 8% adload). The winners of the International Women's Podcast Awards were announced. Presented by Tink Media, Freedom Needs a Soundtrack won two awards. > > > Read more of today’s podcast industry news stories on the Podnews website: and get our free daily newsletter. Classifieds - your job or ad here Book Time with Podcast Veteran John Wordock — Has your podcast stalled? Is your YouTube channel no longer growing? Need a video plan? Network exec John Wordock helps podcasters adapt to all the changes impacting our industry. Contact him today. Grow Your Podcast on Apple & YouTube Music — Podcast Growth On Apple, YouTube, & Top Apps Audiencelift.com Preferred Apps grows your podcast directly on Apple, YouTube and key apps. Reach real listeners with Verified Growth™ Learn More. Apply to Join Owned: The Podcast Newsletter Course — DEADLINE EXTENDED! Apply for Owned: The Newsletter Course for Podcasters. Starts Oct. 13. 8 weeks of hands-on instruction with a thoughtfully selected group of creators. Build a newsletter that works. Gold supporters: Buzzsprout, Mowpod, Beehiiv, Podbean, The $100 MBA, The Podglomerate, Cloud10, RedCircle, audioBoom, Audiohook, Simplecast, Sounds Profitable, The Content Creator's Accountant, Libsyn, PAVE Studios, Scicomm Media, Magid, Podscribe, Cohost, Jar Podcast Solutions, Awesound, Acast, We Edit Podcasts, Podpage websites Silver supporters: Audacia Audio, Gamut Podcast Network, Bumper, Sounds Debatable, True Native Media, Nomono, Magellan AI, Voxtopica, POW PR, Truefans, Hypecast, Frequency, ARN's iHeartPodcast Network Aust, Companion Arts, Castbox, PodAnalyst, Podcast Movement, Tink Media, Blubrry, iono.fm, Ausha, Locked On Podcast Network, SoundStack, Podium, Red Seat Ventures, The Podcast Haven, Compliance Podcast Network, Podium , Jonekiri, Health Podcast Network, Transistor, Lemonada Media, Sonic Influencer Marketing, Jam Street Media, CreatorX, Headliner, Double Elvis Productions, Diversion Podcasts, Rhapsody Voices, Rephonic, Podcast Partnership, Content10x, Cleanfeed, Lower Street, Podigy, Revolver Podcasts, Adopter Media, School of Podcasting, Signal Hill Insights Our supporters pay for Podnews, so everyone can read it. Join them today. Image: Cameron Elder