Amazon Denies Allegations of Closing Wondery Podcast Studio

Amazon is addressing rumors regarding the closure of Wondery, the podcast studio it acquired in late 2020, following a Bloomberg report on Monday that suggested the studio’s shutdown and the loss of 110 jobs.

In a statement to TechCrunch, Amazon reaffirmed that Wondery will continue producing creator-led podcasts under its brand with a newly established team. The main shift involves splitting the teams responsible for Wondery’s narrative podcasts from those dedicated to creator-led initiatives.

Wondery is consolidating its narrative podcast studio, which includes shows like Dr. Death and American Scandal, with Audible.

“The podcast landscape has seen considerable transformations in recent years, especially with the rise of video-oriented, creator-driven content,” Amazon stated in an email.

“These changes are a response to this evolution and are designed to improve how Wondery integrates within Amazon. By making these adjustments, we aim to better support creators in monetizing their content across diverse channels, help them expand their brand IP, and optimize processes for advertisers, while also making content more accessible in the formats preferred by audiences. This evolution builds on Wondery’s previous successes with video-focused shows and positions us to enhance our support for creators, customers, and advertisers.”

Despite bringing in key industry figures, the company is now adjusting its strategy to effectively compete against rivals like Spotify and YouTube as the podcasting arena increasingly embraces video formats.

Update: The article has been updated to reflect Amazon’s denial regarding the shutdown of Wondery.