26 Questions About Podcasting in 2026

As we head into a new year, I have tons of questions about Netflix, YouTube, AI and the overall competitive landscape.

The podcast industry continues to gyrate with change.

There’s so much movement I briefly thought about writing “26 Things to Watch in ‘26.” Then I came to my senses and focused on key questions.

Here’s what I will monitor in 2026:

Netflix - The streaming king is kicking off the year by launching video podcasts, starting with sports talkers like Bill Simmons. There are deals with iHeartMedia, Barstool Sports, and Spotify. By Hollywood standards, video podcasts are cheap to produce. So Netflix is getting tons of talking head content with marquee names. Questions:

• Is Netflix investing in this space for the long haul?

• How does Netflix pursuing Warner Brothers Discovery factor into podcasting?

• Will Netflix go into acquisition mode and buy technology that supports its creators?

• How will Netflix fare as a podcast destination?

• If Netflix builds it, will viewers really come?

Mergers, Acquisitions and Exits - Podcast networks who don’t own their own intellectual property may face intense pressure. Creators are calling the shots these days so those companies who adapt and provide a new suite of services for brand deals, product rollouts, live events, fanbase engagement, deeper audience analysis, and innovative platform practices should thrive. Questions:

• What podcast companies are up for sale?

• What major corporate players are looking to get bigger through acquisition?

• Could we see some podcast networks merge?

• Does any podcast company downsize their operations or even go out of business?

• Does anyone file for bankruptcy?

TikTok - The popular app is rolling out a podcast network with iHeartMedia. TikTok dipped its toes into podcasting back in 2023. I worked on a beta project with them on background listening. I look forward to seeing how the two companies work together and throw the spotlight on 25 different creators in 2026. Questions:

• With TikTok in the U.S. getting new ownership with ties to the Trump Administration, what does that mean for podcasters?

• How will the TikTok algorithm change?

• Will TikTok play a major role in the 2026 election?

OG Over and Out - Marc Maron retiring his WTF podcast sent shockwaves through the industry in 2025. The climate is right for more departures in the new year. Several podcasts who started in 2006 are hitting their 20-year milestones in 2026, including Savage Lovecast with Dan Savage, Hardcore History with Dan Carlin, and Never Not Funny with Jimmy Pardo. Questions:

• Is 2026 the year more OGs start to say good-bye?

• Who will call it quits and follow Maron out the door?

• Will any OGs blame the rise of video for their exit?

Artificial Intelligence - AI will impact podcasting in 2026. The big question is, how so? AI is moving so fast it’s like a freight train barreling down the tracks. I fear the rise of AI podcasts will weaken the industry’s credibility. I also fear the rise of synthetic voices will undermine the genuine authenticity of host read ads. Questions:

• How will podcast companies with production teams embrace AI?

• How will ad agencies use AI?

• Job creation is already lean. So is 2026 the year AI starts to kill podcast jobs?

• Will large corporate players turn to AI to cut costs?

YouTube - The world’s second largest search engine behind Google is rolling out lots of new features for going live, for improving audio-only podcasts, for monetizing back catalog episodes, and for turning buzzy video clips into YouTube Shorts. Questions:

• Will podcasters answer the call and embrace YouTube’s new tools?

• Will we see more podcasters go live on YouTube?

• Will YouTube rely too heavily on AI and prompt a backlash from creators?

• How will YouTube up its game against Netflix in the new year?

• Will this platform showdown usher in the Smart TV Age of Podcasting?

• Who will generate more buzz by the end of 2026 - Netflix or YouTube?

Editor’s Note: Are you attending Podfest in Orlando? I’m scheduled to talk Saturday, January 17 at 10 a.m. on Building a YouTube Channel: No Hammer Required. If you’re going to Podfest, let’s catch up over coffee or another beverage.

John Wordock runs his own consulting firm John Wordock Media. He served as Executive Editor and SVP for Podcasting at Westwood One from 2019 to 2024, helping build Cumulus Podcast Network into a top ten network. He also served as Executive Producer for Podcasts at The Wall Street Journal until 2019. He started podcasting in 2006.

Contact: John@JohnWordockMedia.com