Spotify's unskippable podcast ads, plus could they skip yours automatically?

07 September 2026 - Thierry Mars - Director Radio, egta How radio businesses can shape the future of in-car audio, and unlock new value for advertisers For more than a century, the car has been one of radio's most powerful environments. It is where millions of people start and end their day, where t

The report also provides compelling evidence of audio's ability to add incremental reach to broader media plans. In one US omnichannel campaign, audio delivered 25% incremental reach beyond audiences already exposed to connected TV and out-of-home.

In this commentary, Wouter Quartier, head of radio at the European Broadcasting Union, says that radio offers something human: trust and companionship.

Radiocentre has relaunched its Advertising Amplified campaign with a new outdoor push targeting major media agencies in London and Manchester. Starting from this week, digital roadside six-sheets will appear near agencies such as Carat, Goodstuff, Havas Media, John Ayling & Associates, MG OMD,...

Music has spent the last decade optimising for infinite choice . Streaming libraries expanded without limit, shuffling became ever more personalised, and feeds manoeuvred themselves into narrower loops.

RedTech • Examine how mandating radio in vehicles can improve safety and enhance the driving experience in today's car market.

New partnership connects RCS' playout software with Triton's programmatic platform, providing a new path to monetize OTA inventory

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan group of 22 state attorneys general are suing Amazon, alleging the e-commerce giant likely extracted more than $20bn from advertising customers by manipulating the auctions that set ad prices on its platforms.

Based on several research studies, including a new one from Google and brand tracking firm Tracksuit, increasing brand awareness can drive share of search, which can in turn increase market share. “The earlier you invest in brand, the greater the return,” the Google/Tracksuit report says. “That’s not a feeling. That’s return on awareness.”In the new global study, which analyzed 31 brands across 15 categories, Tracksuit conducted always-on tracking of awareness, consideration and preference while

Share of Ear is a nationally representative survey, with a respondent age composition that matches the U.S. population 13+. The most recent data release shows that younger age segments account for a higher share of audio consumption relative to their population size.

A series of new studies jointly commissioned by Oxford Road, the world’s largest podcast advertising agency, and the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group®, find heavy audio listeners are much more likely to be familiar, interested in, and use AI for personal and work purposes. The studies also uncovered a “tale of two cities”: significant differences in AI attitudes among those in the marketing bubble (marketers and media agencies) and everyday Americans.

A new skip button is terrifying podcast publishers. Spotify's balance sheet suggests why it might not be terrifying Spotify.

AI-powered media buying has reached premium audio. Butler/Till and iHeartMedia have completed the first agentic streaming audio and podcast campaign, delivering streaming audio 42% more efficiently than traditional direct buying while boosting high-value podcast mid-roll placements. As agentic buying takes root in the ad community, iHeartMedia plans to extend the option to broadcast radio by the end of 2026.

Audio play-by-play is having a moment — and a big reason is the enduring power of the hometown voice.

Reach tells you who could hear your audio ad. Attention, engagement, and sentiment tell you if it worked. See how ARM measures what drives growth.

There is an old adage that it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese, and in the case of audio it might be time to heat up the fondue pot. Audio spent years playing catch-up with digital media when it came to proving what happened after someone heard an ad.

Amazon DSP is working with the U.S. radio industry to bring broadcast radio into the same omnichannel advertising and measurement environment as streaming audio, podcasts, connected TV, display and mobile, with broader integration targeted for 2027.

The power of AM/FM radio Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB In a world defined by fragmented attention, the car remains one of the few places where attention is sustained, routi…

Mike McVay explores a Swiss radio station's ad model: charge for digital, give Over-the-Air away for free.

Audio has mood-boosting superpowers. Global’s research finds it increases positive emotions by 25% and psychological wellness by 21%. Global’s audio commercial director explains.

RedTech • Technology publication and platform created by multicultural professionals especially for the international radio broadcast and digital audio industries.

iHeartMedia says new consumer research challenges the perception that Gen Z is abandoning broadcast radio in favor of personalized, on-demand audio.The study, conducted through Critical Mass Media, examines how younger listeners use audio and finds that radio continues to play a significant role in music discovery, social connection, and shared cultural experiences.According to Nielsen data cited by iHeartMedia, broadcast radio reaches 90% of teenagers 13-19 monthly vs. 75% for YouTube, 58% for

Artificial intelligence is changing how consumers search, research and shop, giving local advertisers another digital channel to consider as they build marketing strategies.

Spotify could be readying automatic skipping of podcast ads, according to its legal terms

Music streaming platform creates ‘AI persona’ label that will appear on profiles and track listings in crackdown on fake performers