Amazon has denied reports that it is shutting down Wondery, the podcast studio it acquired in late 2020. The denial comes after Bloomberg reported on Monday that the company planned to close the studio and cut 110 jobs. Amazon clarified to TechCrunch that Wondery will continue to operate and develop creator-led podcasts under its own brand, but as part of a new team structure.
The company is reorganizing its podcast divisions, separating the teams responsible for Wondery’s narrative podcasts from those focused on creator-led content. Wondery’s narrative podcast studio, which produces shows like *Dr. Death* and *American Scandal*, will now merge with Audible.
Amazon explained that the podcast industry has changed significantly in recent years, particularly with the rise of video-focused, creator-driven content. The restructuring aims to align Wondery more closely with Amazon’s broader strategy, helping creators monetize their work across multiple platforms, expand their intellectual property, and simplify advertising efforts. The changes are also intended to make content more accessible to audiences on their preferred platforms.
Despite working with major industry names, Amazon is adjusting its approach to better compete with rivals like Spotify and YouTube as the podcasting space increasingly embraces video formats.
Correction: This article has been updated to clarify that Amazon denies reports of Wondery shutting down.