Pocket Casts app sold to WordPress

Automattic, the parent company of WordPress, has acquired podcast company Pocket Casts.

Pocket Cast co-founders Russell Ivanovic and Philip Simpson, who created the podcast app in 2010, will continue to lead Pocket Casts as part of the new ownership by Automattic. 

Automattic plans closer integrations for the podcast platform with WordPress websites and blog platform Tumblr, also owned by Automattic.

America’s National Public Radio (NPR) acquired one third of the company in 2018 and this month reported in its most recent financial statement that its stake in Pocket Casts lost $800,000 in the past financial year. The app was made free in 2019 and launched somenew functionalities, some of which were controversial with users and were later modified further.

A statement by Automattic says:

We’re excited to announce that Pocket Casts will be joining Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com. More than 80M people in the US listen to a podcast weekly, and this critically acclaimed podcast app makes it easier for fans to discover podcasts and customize their listening experience. Pocket Casts has been recognized by The New York Times, WIRED, The Verge, and other top publications for its exquisite design and user-friendly features.

 
As part of Automattic, Pocket Casts will continue to provide you with the features needed to enjoy your favorite podcasts (or find something new). We will explore building deep integrations with WordPress.com and Pocket Casts, making it easier to distribute and listen to podcasts. We’re thrilled that we can continue to give our users a multitude of ways to tell and engage with stories that matter.

 
   


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