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Podcasts were the next big thing in the last decade or so, but from 2019 to 2020 it marked the moment when media giants decided to bet on that new content that everyone talks about. According Hollywood Reporter, Amazon is acquiring Wondery, the podcasting network that brought you captivating and often distressing nonfiction programs Dr. Death, Dirty John, The Shrink Next Door, and more. The deal, reportedly worth $ 300 million, will be completed in the new year.
“When the deal is closed, nothing will change for listeners, and they will continue to be able to access Wondery podcasts through a variety of providers,” Amazon reassures visitors to the Wondery website in a statement published on Wednesday. “Amazon Music launched podcasts in September 2020 and, together with Wondery, we hope to accelerate the growth and evolution of podcasts, bringing creators, hosts and engaging experiences to even more listeners around the world, just as we do with music. “
Rumors that Wondery was seriously exploring a potential sale started to spin in September. The deal is just the latest in a series of purchases of independent podcast networks by major media companies. In July, SiriusXM bought Stitcher for a comparable amount, while Spotify bought Parcast and Gimlet Media last year and announced its plan to buy Megaphone, previously Panoply Media, in November, just to name a few.