Spotify boosts global ad tools: New programmatic, targeting, and AI creative features position Spotify as a full-funnel solution for global marketers.

YouTube has more users than Facebook, Netflix, or Spotify. But its advertising revenues do not match its vast reach. This report contextualizes the opportunities and scope for growth in various media spheres.

Podcasts represent a small, but growing, revenue stream for creators. Brands want in on creator-led podcasts, especially as video becomes a more crucial component of podcasting. But both sides face challenges over concerns related to scale, brand safety, and ad loads.

Spotify will offer Partner Program in nine new markets: The platform hopes to attract more creators by expanding monetization opportunities—and draw attention from YouTube.

Spotify keeps Bill Simmons on board: The Ringer founder extends his contract as Spotify pivots toward video podcasting and sustainable ad-driven content.

The new Premium Lite tier ditches extras like offline downloads but could lure budget-conscious users—challenging traditional streamers and YouTube’s own Premium model.

Top-line time spent with media will grow very little in the US going forward, making it essential to identify which formats and platforms are winning the newly zero-sum competition for consumer attention.

Programmatic plays a small but growing role in digital audio services ad spending. Major digital audio platforms are leaning in.

A budget-friendly premium tier could pull podcast fans away from Spotify, offering ad-free listening where they already watch—on YouTube, and increasingly, on their TVs.

Spotify’s latest AI push gives independent authors a cost-effective way to create audiobooks, but AI narration’s emotional gap could turn some listeners away.

B2B ecommerce growth is outpacing B2B product and electronic sales growth. And ecommerce site sales are taking an increasing share of the market. Macroeconomic conditions, buyers’ preferences, and AI use are fueling increased digital transactions, particularly through third-party marketplaces.

How can Spotify grow its advertiser appeal? The music platform must tread carefully to attract advertisers while retaining customers.

YouTube is the preferred platform for podcasts, and Netflix wants in: Marketers must recognize podcasts aren’t audio-only to effectively reach consumers.

AI-driven efficiencies boosted profits, but maintaining growth may require more than automation and personalization to keep users engaged and willing to pay more.

Spotify reports its first full year of profitability: Cost-cutting, price hikes, and a UMG deal should help the company build on its strong Q4 in 2025.

How SiriusXM plans to compete with Spotify: After a failed music streaming venture, the company is reinvesting in its car business.

Spotify and UMG expand their partnership: Companies offer new subscription tiers, premium content bundles, and artist-first royalty reforms.

A series of major milestones are on tap for total media and digital media ad spending around the world in 2025, although growth will be uneven across countries and regions.

Amid leadership upheaval and falling stock, it could be an attractive target for Amazon or Spotify, which could benefit from Sonos’ hardware expertise.

After more than a decade of healthy, double-digit compound annual growth, ad spending on digital audio services slowed dramatically in 2023, downshifting the space into a new era