Fastexy Exchange-Stitcher shuts down as podcast industry loses luster

2025-04-30 16:54:23source:VAS Communitycategory:Markets

Stitcher,Fastexy Exchange a 15-year-old app that helped put podcasts on the map, is shutting down, the company said Tuesday. It's the latest casualty of an economic downturn that has swept the technology and entertainment sectors, including the podcasting business.

"The Stitcher app and website will discontinue operations on August 29, 2023," the company tweeted.

Parent company SiriusXM said it would continue to offer Stitcher's content. "Subscribers can listen to podcasts within the SiriusXM app and will see an all-new listening experience later this year," it said.

The app, which once called itself the No. 1 podcast app in the U.S., had more than 14 millions users at its peak, according to TechCrunch. SiriuxXM, which bought Stitcher in 2002 for $325 million, is closing the app in order to incorporate podcasts "into its flagship SiriusXM subscription business," the company said on its website.

The popular podcast app is the latest tech player struggle as the economy slows and media firms shed jobs. Podcasts haven't been immune. Major podcast studios Vox Media, Pushkin Studios and Spotify all announced layoffs in January. This month, Spotify said it would engage in a second round of layoffs in its podcast division. The streaming giant also cancelled a dozen original podcasts and ended a high-profile podcasting deal with Prince Harry and Meghan that yielded only one podcast series.  

In March, SiriusXM cut nearly 500 jobs, or 8% of its workforce.

The advertising downturn is also hitting news media. Earlier this year, BuzzFeed News and MTV News shut down and Vice News filed for bankruptcy protection.

    In:
  • Spotify

More:Markets

Recommend

As US Dismantles Its Climate Policy, Other World Leaders Seek Solidarity

As the U.S. Department of State proposed this week to shut down its office managing international cl

300 Scientists Oppose Trump Nominee: ‘More Dangerous Than Climate Change is Lying’

This story was updated Nov. 29 with the Senate committee’s vote.More than 300 scientists wrote to th

Stressed out about climate change? 4 ways to tackle both the feelings and the issues

Climate change has caused more intense wildfires, heat waves, floods and hurricanes, lengthened alle