Beehiiv Launches Podcasts, Spotify Ad Exchange Growth, & More
Apr 02, 2026•5 min•Ep. 846
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Summary
Beehiiv has launched integrated podcast hosting and monetization, positioning audio as a core product pillar. New research from Sounds Profitable reveals that 25% of Americans who haven't listened to podcasts skew politically centrist, a group poorly reached by algorithmic platforms. Additionally, Spotify's programmatic ad platform saw significant growth, though media buyers still favor direct deals for host-read ads, alongside various other industry announcements.Episode description
This week in the business of podcasting:
- Newsletter and blogging platform beehiiv has launched integrated podcast hosting and monetization services, with CEO Tyler Denk positioning podcasts as a core product pillar alongside its newsletter tools and IAB certification now underway.
- Sounds Profitable's new research report The Last Quarter finds that the 25% of Americans who have never listened to a podcast skew politically centrist, a group that algorithmically driven platforms are poorly designed to reach.
- Spotify's programmatic advertising platform SAX grew its monthly active advertiser count 222% year-over-year since its April 2025 launch, though media buyers say host-read podcast advertising still favors direct deals over programmatic buying.
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