Amazon in Exclusive Talks to Buy Podcast Startup Wondery

[MacRumors]

Amazon is in exclusive talks with podcast startup Wondery about a potential acquisition, reports The Wall Street Journal. Rumors earlier this month suggested that Wondery had also held talks with Apple and Sony Music Entertainment as it shopped for a buyer.

Wondery is said to be looking for $300 to $400 million, and it is known for popular true crime podcasts that include "Dirty John," "Over My Dead Body," "Dr. Death." Apple's discussions were in the early stages in November, but if Wondery is in exclusive talks with Amazon, Apple is likely out of the running.

A Wondery purchase would have provided Apple with a library of original content along with a source for ideas that could be turned into TV shows in the future. Wondery is already working on TV shows based on podcasts, including a WeWork series that will premiere on Apple TV+.

It's possible that Wondery's price tag was too high for Apple, but if Wondery is purchased by Amazon, Amazon will be another serious competitor in the podcasting space alongside Spotify. According to The Wall Street Journal, Amazon is aiming to push further into podcasts.

Apple too has been aiming to better compete with Spotify when it comes to podcasts, and rumors have suggested that Apple is looking to buy original podcasts. Apple has been looking for podcasts that could be adapted into Apple TV+ content, and it also plans to create podcasts that will augmnet its TV shows.

Apple has already purchased podcasting companies. In 2017, it bought Pop Up Archive to improve search, and in early 2020, it bought podcasting service Scout FM, which turns podcast shows into radio-style stations.

Article Link: Amazon in Exclusive Talks to Buy Podcast Startup Wondery

 

[zepfhyr]

Hey, Apple. If you want to turn a podcast into a TV show, just buy Welcome to Night Vale and Alice Isn't Dead. They may not be for sale, but they are two of the most creative podcasts on the planet.

Anyone know what the secret combination is to alert Apple's media machine to this comment? Do I post an old Mac ROM or the source code for iTunes or something?

 

[phgreer]

Wondery Rocks! Especially the Steven Johnson stuff!

 

[iObama]

Remember when podcasts were fun and non-exclusive, but people still made money from them? Me too.

Shoulda known it wouldn’t last ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[smoking monkey]

The big companies are really sinking their teeth into Podcasts. Desperate to squeeze it for everything they can.

I sometimes listen to the Conan O'brien Pod and while many of the guests are full of their own sh*t and peddling something, some of them have funny stories and it's good for a laugh. And having a laugh in these times is just what is needed. But I've noticed recently that the ads on it are out of control. We are talking about 5-6 mins of wall to wall ads. What they don't realise is that Siri is capable of skipping ahead the number of minutes you tell it to! Hazzah! Let's just see how long before that funtion is disabled or if the FF button is taken off us. You'd like to think not, but I wouldn't be surprised...

 

[FloatingBones]

We need to invent a term for podcasts that are available anywhere and are not "exclusive" behind some #!$$ paywall.

I'm for Open Access Podcasts.

 

[Jakewilk]

Honestly, this is bad news for the consumer. Podcasts are not like tv shows with unskippable ads and high production value. Streaming services work because people buy what they need, which usually ends up being cheaper than cable. Podcasts though? If people have to subscribe to listen to a podcast they’ll just find something else to listen to. Turning a free product into a paid service isn’t really a good idea. I’d like to think that these companies pouring money into podcasts will drive better experiences, but somehow I doubt it.

 

[ghanwani]

Wondery is said to be looking for $300 to $400 million...

Wonder if they'll find it.

 

[Digital Dude]

I guess this is what innovation looks like these days'.

 

[sfkeepay]

I’m a Wondery subscriber (American Scandal - excellent deep dives into Three Mile Island, Exxon, big tobacco, Iran-Contra, etc.) so I guess that means my one foray into independence is about to get sucked into my hoard of Apple devices. Well, it may be brutal, but at least I know it‘ll be seamlessly brutal.

 

[stevet]

Why would those podcast be worth that much? Everyone’s already listened to them, and to be honest the wondery lineup is not good. Way over rated.

 

[frou]

In general I don't like the typical overproduced podcast these days that feels the need to have 15 seconds of plinky-plonk music every time someone stops speaking. Big Podcasting seems to have an excess of audio engineers that they need to create busywork for

 

[Mike MA]

We need to invent a term for podcasts that are available anywhere and are not "exclusive" behind some #!$$ paywall.

I'm for Open Access Podcasts.

Isn't the original definition of a Podcast stating exactly to be free for all? So it's the other way round basically.

 

[FloatingBones]

Isn't the original definition of a Podcast stating exactly to be free for all? So it's the other way round basically.

That's a moot point. The term was been co-opted years ago. As noted in the Wikipedia, the term applies broadly to all formats of digital downloadable files:

The cost to the consumer is low. While many podcasts are free to download, some are underwritten by corporations or sponsored, with the inclusion of commercial advertisements. In other cases, a podcast could also be a business venture supported by some combination of a paid subscription model, advertising or product delivered after sale.

The best that can be done now is to clearly identify podcasts that are freely available.

 

[nburwell]

Wondery Rocks! Especially the Steven Johnson stuff!

I agree. I really have enoyed a good bit of their shows that they have churned out.