Acast acquires podcast database Podchaser – TechCrunch

AcastThe SwedishA tech company that assists individuals and businesses to publish and monetize podcasts. announced plansTo acquire podcast database Podchaser. TermsThe details of the deal were not revealed.

FoundedOut of Stockholm2014 AcastA prominent brand in the podcastTechnology space: Serves as a platform for distribution and hosting that allows outlets to include The Guardian The EconomistPodcasts can be published to almost any app, Apple Podcasts Spotify. AcastAlso, podcasters can dynamically insert advertisements in their shows.

TheThe company has raised $126 million over its eight-year history. It also has at least two other acquisitions, including RadioPublic, which it purchased last year.

PodchaserThe founding of, for its part was done out of OklahomaIn 2016, we closed a series A round of funding totaling $4 million.  PodchaserIt’s like an IMDb for podcasts. Users can search for anything and everything related to podcasts.

Billion-dollar industry

PodcastingAccording to a report by the, the industry is expected to grow to $4 billion in the U.S. by 2024. Interactive Advertising BureauThis represents almost a threefold increase in advertising revenue compared to last year. TheseWhen assessing why, numbers are crucial AcastIs buying a good idea? Podchaser.

While PodchaserOnce the acquisition is complete, it will remain a separate brand and company. Acast saidIt plans to build a “deep integration”This is Podchaser’s data, giving its customers “authoritative, structured metadata.” IndeedWhile Podchaser is a consumer-focused platform in terms of how it aids discoverability, it’s also a utility for advertisers and marketers, as it allows them to find the most suitable podcasts to sellThey sell their products to. Targeted advertising will play an important part of the fast-growing podcasting industry, and it’s why AcastWhat is the purpose of bringing PodchaserUnder its wing.

AcastIt is quick to be a champion for open podcasting in contrast to other podcasting giants such as Spotify — a company that is continuing to invest heavily in the podcasting medium. While SpotifyIts ilk are creating what many consider to be walled podcasting areas, replete with exclusive shows as well as minimal data insights. Acast touts its platform-agnostic ethos — one that gives advertisers deep insights into activities across the podcasting spectrum.

“Together we will unlock the vast opportunity that we know exists for open podcasting to not just have parity with the data held by closed, paywalled platforms, but to leap forward and surpass them,” AcastCEO Ross Adams saidIn a press release