ADOPTER Media at SXSW Evolutions 2026 and Advertising Week, podcast industry conference appearances

Smarter Deals. Clearer Measurement. Stronger Podcast Sponsorship Campaigns.

ADOPTER Media on Stage The question about podcast advertising in 2026 is no longer about whether or not it works. It is about how to make it work better. How to structure deals that hold up. How to measure formats that are growing faster than…

Man wearing headphones relaxing on a couch while listening to a podcast on his phone

Podcasts Overtake Radio in Talk Audio

From 10% to 40% in a Decade For the first time ever, podcasts have passed AM/FM radio as the top platform for talk audio. Edison Research’s latest Share of Ear data shows that as of Q4 2025, podcasts now capture 40% of daily non-music listening…

Smartphone displaying news about IAB legislation addressing AI use of publisher content, representing concerns about AI scraping and the future of ad supported media

IAB Pushes Legislation to Stop AI From Gutting Publishers

Technology Should Enhance Authenticity Over the last few years, we’ve shared our thoughts about AI’s impact on podcasting. We called out mass-produced AI podcast slop and pushed for clear disclosure standards because audiences deserve to know when content is AI-generated. And we’ve been consistent about…

Laptop displaying podcast advertising performance charts and growth metrics, with orange headphones resting beside it on a desk.

The IAB’s 2026 Forecast: Opportunities For Podcast Sponsorships

Podcast Ad Spend to Grow 8.6% in 2026 The IAB’s 2026 Outlook Study just dropped. Podcast ad spend is projected to grow 8.6% this year, up from 7.9% in 2025. That puts podcasts ahead of several other digital channels and confirms what many brands have…

Magic Spoon cereal displayed beside a tablet playing The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart, the podcast featuring ADOPTER Media’s Ambies-nominated ad read.

ADOPTER Media Earns Two Ambies Best Ad Read Nominations

Two Nominations Mark ADOPTER’s 10th Anniversary   ADOPTER Media has earned two nominations for Best Ad Read at the 2026 Ambies Awards .Both nominated ads aired on shows produced by QCode/Daylight Media: a Magic Spoon placement on “The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart” (co-produced with…

Overlapping pop-up style ads illustrating how ad overload disrupts the podcast listening experience

The Listening Experience Drives Podcast Performance

When podcast sponsorships don’t feel like part of the show, the industry risks repeating radio’s mistakes. A recent Podnews story revealed a tool called PodcastAdBlock that uses AI to download podcast episodes, strip out the ads, and resell the content to listeners as ad-free versions….

Woman sitting on the floor next to an illustrated marketing strategy bubble featuring a glowing lightbulb, sales icons, audience signals, and campaign planning elements, representing how startups can navigate the podcast advertising landscape.

How Startups Can Navigate The Podcast Ad Boom

As Big Brands Flood The Space, Smarter Strategies Are Critical A recent Digiday piece confirmed something many in podcast advertising already know: the space is more crowded than ever. Networks like Acast reported 41 percent sales growth in Q3 2025, driven almost entirely by major…

Person holding a smartphone displaying Spotify and Netflix logos, representing Spotify podcasts expanding to Netflix.

Netflix And Spotify Are Redefining Podcast Distribution To Compete With YouTube And Amazon

Spotify Podcasts On NetFlix By bringing Spotify podcasts to Netflix, both platforms are redefining distribution: Netflix gains steady, personality-driven programming, and Spotify extends its reach to connected TVs where audiences already watch creator content. The collaboration marks a shift in how streaming services view podcasts,…

A person holding a TV remote while watching a blurred screen in the background, representing the rise of streaming and connected TV consumption.

Podcasts Are Projected to Capture 40% of Digital Audio Ad Revenue by 2029: Streaming Helping Fuel the Growth

Podcast Revenue Continues Its Steady Rise The latest eMarketer projections, shared by INSIDERADIO, show steady podcast industry growth through 2029 driven not only by listener demand but by new streaming partnerships expanding where podcasts live. Podcast revenue continues its steady rise. According to new eMarketer…

Laptop displaying digital news beside coffee and croissant on a wooden desk.

Platform Shifts Reshape Podcast and YouTube Ad Performance

Q4 Industry Reports Tell the Same Story October has arrived, and with it comes a crowded, competitive landscape for brands trying to capture consumer attention. Industry reports for Q4 all point to the same reality: this year’s Q4 will be more complex than any in…