Spotify (NYSE: SPOT) launched podcast service in 2015. It appears to be the leading podcast provider in 2020.
Podcast listeners are projected to surpass 100 million in 2020 in the US alone, and podcast ads revenue to surpass $1 billion in 2021, according to emarketer.
Spotify launched Spotify Podcast Ads in January 2020.
In November last year, Spotify announced to acquire Megaphone for $235 million. Megaphone offers technology for podcast publishers and advertisers seeking targeted slots on podcasts.
Amazon Music came a bit late – it adds podcasts in September last year.
Apple, an already big player in podcast, seems to plan another route to monetize – a paid subscription service, according The Information today.
On the same day, Tencent Music (NYSE: TME) announced its acquisition of Lazy Audio, which provides audiobooks, and other forms of “podcast-like” audio services.
ByteDance, Kwai and LiZhi (NASDAQ: LIZI) have their own apps for podcast as well.
It’s another round of competition in long-form audio – PGC & UPGC contents will be hot.
Yep, tech companies always want to connect with users longer.