The highest-paid podcasters

• Forbes has published a list of the twenty Highest-Paid Podcasters of 2026. The full list is, ironically, behind a paywall; the top five is Joe Rogan The Joe Rogan Experience($82mn) at #1, John Coogan and Jordi Hayes of TBPN($70mn), Steven Bartlett of Diary of a CEO ($45mn), Ashley Flowers of Crime Junkie ($42mn), and Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes from SmartLess ($37mn). Charlamagne Tha God is at #10, earning $27mn.

  • For the networks, Spotify has four shows; SiriusXM has three; Red Seat Ventures and Wondery have two each.
  • For context - the #2, TBPN seems to have about 6,800 views per episode on its YouTube podcast, and Podscribe suggests its audio podcast attracts an estimated 1,600 listeners a month.

• Financial results: Apple released its Q3/26 financial results. “Services” revenue, under which Apple Podcasts revenue falls, was up +12% year-on-year to $30.7bn … SiriusXM released its Q2/26 financial results. The company doesn’t split out its podcast financials in its report, combining it with its declining Pandora business; however, in the earnings call, CEO Jennifer Witz revealed that podcasting revenue is up +30% year-on-year.

• Audiobook publisher Podium Entertainment - different to podcast network Podium, or Podium - is to repurpose 35 Realm fiction podcasts into audiobooks. The audio will be reformatted as single audiobook releases.

• JoneKiri has announced a partnership with Startups Decoded to represent all brand partnership opportunities across the show’s full media footprint. The company will represent the Startups Decoded podcast, YouTube and video programming, social channels, custom content and integrations, and its Substack newsletter.

• Mike Hamilton of the Rogue Media Network has released a book and free field guide, to help people who get stuck between the idea of their podcast and making their first episode. Make The Show is available from Amazon.

• Adobe Podcast is no longer to sell its Premium service as a standalone plan from Aug 30 for new users. Existing subscribers remain unchanged.

• Patreon laid off 93 people, approximately 20% of its workforce. “Patreon’s core business is healthy and strong,” said CEO Jack Conte, announcing the layoffs.

• Audible has announced Audible for Business, allowing companies and event organisers to distribute audiobooks in bulk to their employees or attendees.

• Podcast hosting company Ausha now supports automatic video uploads to YouTube.

• Apple: “On August 8, starting at 6:00 a.m. PDT, Apple Podcasts Connect will be unavailable for up to two hours.”

Ever had an amazing guest moment and worried you didn't get it on tape?

Paid content

PD500W has you covered. This hybrid dynamic microphone makes your podcast workflow easier with a simpler setup, built-in backup recording protection, and less time spent in post-production.

However you record, PD500W adapts to your workflow: XLR in the studio, USB-C at your desk, 2.4GHz wireless with a camera or phone, or straight to onboard storage on the mic itself. Worried about losing a great take? 32-bit float WAV backup recording is here to save your take. In supported camera and mobile receiver workflows, a -9dB safety track adds a backup when levels suddenly spike.

Done recording? Built-in timecode helps sync audio and video, while Maono Link helps turn your recordings into transcripts, summaries, translations, and show notes.

Easier to set up. Safer to record. Faster in post-production.

Now live on Kickstarter. Back PD500W today for exclusive early bird pricing!

Tips and tricks - with Podcast Movement NYC

• Add video to your podcast without adding edit time - sounds exciting! Stephen Robles, who at the time was working at Riverside, spoke last year at Podcast Movement. He’s now a professional YouTuber, and knows more about Shortcuts than probably the Apple engineer who wrote the system.

Podcast News - with Airwave

With Airwave: Calm Cove is perfect for adults and babies who struggle to sleep. Relax and be calm while listening to sleep sounds to help you drift off, including white noise, nature sounds, streams & oceans and meditation sounds.

The Podnews Weekly Review this week speaks with Giles Gear from the Cheerful Earful podcast festival; and with Andy Maxwell from EarMax Media, a podcast-first advertising agency.

As wildfires and heatwaves are a daily part of life for some, Boiling Point returns for its second season from LA Times Studios, hosted by independent climate journalist Miranda Green. The first episode looks at an oil pipeline that cracked in 2015 but which is just about to start pumping again.

In Vietnam Content Marketing you’ll hear honest conversations with marketers, founders and industry leaders about what actually works when building brands and audiences in Vietnam. Hosted by Niall Mackay, the show explores social media, video, podcasts, search and the cultural realities that overseas marketing playbooks often miss.