Spotify has announced the release of a tool that can automate the process of turning live broadcasts, including radio shows, into podcast episodes. Uploading the same file of a broadcast onto another platform, like a podcast, typically requires up to an hour of work, including the removal of ads and the addition of markers. However, the new tool, which uses technology from Whooshkaa, a company acquired by Spotify in 2021, can automatically create podcast episodes from existing broadcasts. Users of Megaphone, Spotify’s podcasting platform for businesses, will have access to this feature.
Publishers, including Fox News Audio, have already started using Megaphone to convert radio broadcasts into podcasts. The technology can identify existing ad marker locations, and publishers can replace or reposition them before the podcast episode goes live. The tool will allow radio publishers to reach new audiences and potentially bring more podcast content to Spotify for consumers. According to data from Pew Research cited by Spotify, Gen Z individuals prefer to get news through digital mediums, such as podcasts, making this tool especially useful. With more than half of Gen Z and millennials in the US using the platform, and over 500 million users worldwide, Spotify could see a significant increase in its podcast offerings. Additionally, YouTubers and Twitch streamers who host live podcasts could easily make their discussions available on Spotify with this new tool.
