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Podcasts have been the next big thing or so for the last decade or so, but 2019 to 2020 was the moment when media giants decided to go all in on the new content everyone was talking about. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Amazon is apparently acquiring Wondery, the podcasting network that brought you the compelling, regularly disturbing non-fiction shows Dr Dood, Dirty John, The shrinkage next door, and more. The deal, believed to be $ 300 million, will be completed in the new year.
“Once the deal is finalized, nothing will change for listeners, and they will still be able to access Wondery podcasts through a variety of providers,” Amazon reassured visitors to Wondery’s website in a statement released Wednesday. “Amazon Music launched podcasts in September 2020, and together with Wondery, we hope to accelerate the growth and evolution of podcasts by bringing creators, hosts, and immersive experiences to even more listeners around the world, just like with music.”
Rumors that Wondery was seriously investigating a potential sale began circulating in September. The deal is just the latest in a series of acquisitions of independent podcast networks by major media companies. In July, SiriusXM bought Stitcher for a comparable amount, while Spotify picked up Parcast and Gimlet Media last year and announced its plan to acquire Megaphone, formerly Panoply Media, in November, to name just a few.