Amazon is restructuring its audio business, resulting in around 110 layoffs at its Wondery podcast division, as part of a broader realignment to streamline operations. In a memo to employees, Steve Boom, Amazon’s VP of Audio, Twitch, and Games, announced that Wondery’s narrative podcast teams will merge with Audible, while its creator-led content will shift to a new division called “Creator Services” within Amazon. The news of the layoffs was first reported by Bloomberg.
The report states that as part of this shake-up, Wondery CEO Jen Sargent is stepping down. Boom emphasised that these changes aim to better position Amazon to handle new strategic opportunities, ensuring an improved experience for creators, customers, and advertisers. However, he acknowledged the unfortunate impact on staff, with affected employees already notified.
The layoffs and reshuffle mark a significant pivot for Amazon, which acquired Wondery in 2020 to bolster its original audio content portfolio. Wondery had found success with hit narrative podcasts like “Dirty John” and “Dr. Death”, and more recently, struck high-profile deals with shows like “New Heights” (Jason & Travis Kelce) and Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert.”
Boom noted that the podcast industry has shifted rapidly, with YouTube’s rise as a dominant platform for video podcasts forcing audio-first platforms to rethink their strategies. Discovery, growth, and monetisation for narrative series differ vastly from creator-led shows, especially as video formats take precedence.
By consolidating Wondery’s storytelling content under Audible and focusing separately on creator-led initiatives, Amazon hopes to adapt to this evolving landscape. However, the competition with YouTube’s video-first model presents fresh challenges for Amazon’s audio ambitions.
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