![]() ![]() ![]() Recent guests have included chef José Andrés, news anchor Jake Tapper and actress Gwyneth Paltrow.Īfter watching its rival Spotify spend more than US$1 billion on podcasting companies and shows over the past few years, Amazon has been increasing its investment in the emerging audio medium. On the show, the three actors interview fellow comedians and celebrities. Lists of the top podcasts are typically dominated by ones that are at least four or five years old. ![]() “SmartLess” has amassed an audience of millions since its debut last July, and is one of the few new podcasts to rank among the most popular shows in the U.S. see the programs as a way of attracting customers to their other services and products. While the advertising revenue generated by the shows doesn’t yet justify the prices being paid to some of the medium’s new stars, distributors such as Amazon, Spotify and Apple Inc. Podcast listening has exploded in recent years, as shows have become more compelling and consumers get more comfortable listening to the programs in their cars and homes. That would put it slightly ahead of the roughly US$20 million a year that rival Spotify Technology SA paid for “Call Her Daddy,” which stars advice guru and comedian Alexandra Cooper. The deal also includes the right to team up on future podcasts that the “SmartLess” makers produce.Īmazon didn’t disclose the terms of the deal, which lasts three years, but the total value is between US$60 million and US$80 million, according to a person familiar with the matter. Wondery, the podcasting studio Amazon acquired last year, will handle distribution, marketing and advertising sales for the show. 1, new episodes of the show will appear on Amazon Music and Wondery+ one week before they are released on other outlets, the companies said Tuesday. is buying exclusive rights to “SmartLess,” the podcast hosted by actors Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes, hoping the celebrity-interview program can draw more listeners to its subscription-based music service. “The Foundation will seek to help progress the fight against systemic bias and racism, while also enabling underrepresented individuals to break through these ceilings through grants, training and networking programs,” Lopez wrote on Inc. Lopez plans to focus on the Hernan Lopez Family Foundation. “I’m completely confident that when I have the chance to be before a jury, if it ever gets to trial, I’ll be vindicated,” Lopez said in an interview with The Times earlier this year.Īfter the acquisition deal closes, Lopez will leave Wondery and the company’s Chief Operating Officer Jen Sargent will take over the leadership team, Amazon said. Lopez has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Times on its true crime tale “Dirty John” and produced and marketed two other Times podcasts, “Man in the Window” and “Detective Trapp.”Įarlier this year, Wondery Chief Executive Hernan Lopez faced questions about whether he should continue to lead the company after he was among two former Fox TV executives charged with money laundering and wire fraud over alleged bribes involving broadcasting rights to the World Cup and other high-profile soccer tournaments. The company, founded in 2016, has produced more than 50 podcasts with 16 shows in TV development. ![]() As the industry consolidated, speculation intensified that the business would be acquired. West Hollywood-based Wondery, one of the country’s large podcast publishers, weighs a sale as it grapples with industry consolidation, increased competition and a federal investigation against its CEO and founder.īefore Amazon’s announcement, Wondery remained one of the few remaining large independent podcast publishers. Company Town Wondery CEO who built a podcasting powerhouse vows to fight federal corruption charges ![]()
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