Amazon to lay off 110 Wondery staff in major podcast restructure

The decision comes nearly five years after Amazon acquired Wondery for $300 million in a bid to strengthen its presence in the podcasting space and compete with platforms like Spotify. At the time, the purchase was seen as a strategic investment to grow Amazon’s footprint in audio entertainment.

Wondery quickly became one of the most recognisable names in podcasting, producing a range of hit shows that expanded Amazon’s influence in the sector. However, changes in how audiences consume content are now pushing companies to reconsider their podcast strategies.

“The podcast landscape has evolved significantly over the past few years,” Amazon vice president Steve Boom said in a memo to staff. “The rise of video has also blurred the lines on what it means to be a podcast creator.”

There has been a noticeable shift towards video podcasting, with audiences increasingly turning to platforms like YouTube, which offer both audio and visual formats. This trend has challenged audio-only services, including Amazon’s, which now face growing competition from video-led platforms.

An Amazon spokesperson said the restructure aims to align its podcast offerings with changing consumer preferences. “As more listeners look to services that enable both audio and video consumption, we are unifying our podcast investments so that we can deliver the best possible experience for creators and fans,” the company said.

Wondery’s operations will now be overseen by Audible, with its existing shows expected to continue under the new structure. The role of Wondery CEO Jen Sargent has also been affected as part of the organisational changes.

The layoffs reflect wider challenges in the audio industry, as companies adjust to a market increasingly shaped by video-based content consumption.