Amazon denies report it’s shutting down Wondery podcast studio

In a recent statement, Amazon has refuted claims regarding the closure of Wondery, the podcast studio it acquired in late 2020. This clarification follows a report by Bloomberg that suggested the company was shutting down the studio and eliminating 110 positions. Amazon reassured TechCrunch that Wondery will continue its operations, focusing on creator-led podcasts under the Wondery brand, albeit with a new organizational structure. The company is separating the teams responsible for Wondery's narrative podcasts from those focused on developing creator-driven content. To enhance its production capabilities, Wondery is merging its narrative podcast studio—home to popular series such as Dr. Death and American Scandal—with Audible. In an email statement, Amazon noted, "The podcast landscape has evolved significantly in the past few years, particularly with the rise of video-forward, creator-led content. These changes reflect that evolution and will streamline how Wondery integrates further into Amazon." By implementing these adjustments, Amazon aims to better assist creators in monetizing their content across various platforms, expand their brand IP, and simplify the advertising process. This strategy shift comes as the podcasting industry increasingly embraces video formats, prompting Amazon to enhance its competitiveness against major players like Spotify and YouTube. Update: The article has been revised to confirm Amazon's denial of the reports regarding the shutdown of Wondery.