In this December 2025 brief, we're breaking down the biggest podcasting and creator economy news heading into 2026. From Netflix making aggressive moves into video podcasting to YouTube cementing itself as the new television, this episode explores how the lines between podcasts, TV, and streaming continue to blur. We also cover major updates from Apple Podcasts, Patreon, iHeartMedia, Descript, YouTube, and emerging tools shaping the future of podcast discovery and analytics.

News Links

• Netflix x Spotify: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/netflix-spotify-video-podcasts
• Netflix x iHeart: https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/netflix-doubles-down-on-video-podcasts-with-iheartmedia-deal/
• YouTube is the New TV: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/business/media/youtube-has-a-firm-grip-on-daytime-tv.html#
• YouTube's Big Bets of 2025: https://blog.youtube/inside-youtube/our-big-bets-for-2025/
• Instagram Reels for TV launches on FireTV: https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/instagram-for-tv-reels-videos-1236609143/
• iHeart Radio will support rss feed video content: https://www.iheartmedia.com/press/iheartmedia-offers-creators-and-publishers-unique-new-video-podcast-platform
• Fountain wants to change how we host our podcasts: https://blog.fountain.fm/p/video-podcasts
• Patreon adds public RSS Feeds: https://www.patreon.com/posts/icymi-gifting-144331198
• Apple Podcasts Adds Chapters: https://podcasters.apple.com/support/5482-using-chapters-on-apple-podcasts
• Apple’s Show of the Year: The Rest Is History: https://podnews.net/press-release/apple-podcasts-the-rest-is-history
• Listener.com Launches Listener AI: https://news.listener.com/p/introducing-listener-ai-inventory-management-and-our-new-site
• Descripts Change Log: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZHysHUrtDU
• YouTube Launches A/B Testing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKRiib3Xzoo

Tool of the Month: https://thepodradar.comShoutout to Arielle Nissenblatt for posting about this: https://www.threads.com/@ariellethisandthat

Connect with me

• Threads:https://www.threads.com/@thejacobgooden
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejacobgooden/
• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@thejacobgooden
• Newsletter: TBD

Chapters

00:00 Huge Podcast News In December

00:24 Netflix Is Making Podcasting Moves

01:42 Is Everything Just TV Now?

03:42 Podcast Players Get On Board with Video Podcasts

05:19 Patreon Announces Public RSS Feeds

05:58 Apple Podcasts Adds Chapters

06:33 Listener.com Updates

07:17 Descript Updates

07:45 YouTube A/B Testing Is Here

07:58 Tool of the Month - Pod Radar

Catch up on the latest podcast industry news! Threads introduces podcast pinning and preview features, Riverside becomes an all-in-one podcasting platform, and TikTok partners with iHeartMedia to launch a podcast network. Learn about RSS.com's new free podcast hosting for indie creators, Pocket Casts' new playlist feature, and Headliner's beta video scene editor. Stay tuned for all the exciting updates in the podcasting world!*News Links*Threads adding podcast functionality: https://www.threads.com/@threads/post/DQ7OtMeEftX?xmt=AQF06pcIMs08UvJKAMmLWWAUhFn_2ENJ0rf1i182p_wIGQ Riverside Podcast Hosting: https://riverside.com/podcast-hosting?source=hp_bannerhttps://www.threads.com/@riverside.fm?xmt=AQF0GxItjaFISyqdKafVmgX_4zKUqHR5Z4jyohnrpOb1IkYiHeartRadio and TikTok Partnership: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/iheartmedia-and-tiktok-partner-to-launch-multiplatform-partnership?lang=enRSS.com launches free podcast hosting: https://rss.com/blog/rss-com-launches-free-podcast-hosting/Pocket Casts adds playlists: https://blog.pocketcasts.com/2025/11/24/playlists-a-new-way-to-organize-your-listening/Headliner Video Scene Editor (Beta): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SZYutYtG90*Connect with me*Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thejacobgoodenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejacobgooden/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@thejacobgoodenNewsletter: TBD*Timestamps*00:00 What You Missed In Podcast News00:39 Riverside Rolls Out Podcast Hosting 01:30 TikTok Launches Podcast Network02:50 RSS.com Launches Free Local and Niche Podcast Hosting03:55 Pocket Casts Adds Playlists To Platform04:43 Headliner Video Scene Editor Beta05:15 Reach out with Podcast News