Wondery: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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Line 13: | founder = [[Hernan Lopez]] }} '''Wondery''' is an American podcast network and publisher of podcasts including ''[[Dirty John]]'', ''[[Dr. Death (podcast)|Dr. Death]]'', and ''[[The Shrink Next Door]]''.<ref name="fbs" /><ref name=":4" /> Wondery was founded in 2016 by entrepreneur and media executive [[Hernan Lopez (entrepreneur)|Hernan Lopez]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-15 |title=Hernán López launches audio-on-demand company Wondery |url=https://www.mediamoves.com/2016/01/lopez-announces-launch-of-audio-on-demand-company-wondery.html |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Media Moves |language=en-US}}</ref> The company was launched with backing from 20th Century Fox (now [[20th Century Studios]]).<ref name=":1" /> In late 2020, it was announced that Wondery had been purchased by [[Amazon Music]].<ref name=":5" />
== History == === Founding === Wondery was launched in 2016 by [[Hernan Lopez (entrepreneur)|Hernan Lopez]], the exiting [[Fox International Channels]] CEO with backing from what was then called [[20th Century Fox]]. The stated goal of the network is to curate and create audio shows with a focus on mobile users and audio-on-demand. The company teamed up with ART19 on distribution infrastructure and cross podcast dynamic insertion of ads.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/wondery-podcast-network-fox-hernan-lopez-1201679146/|title=Fox Backs Wondery Podcast Network Launched By Former Exec Hernan Lopez|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=July 12, 2016|archive-date=July 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703041430/http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/wondery-podcast-network-fox-hernan-lopez-1201679146/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/fox-backed-audio-on-demand-network-wondery-launched-1201682337/|title=Former Fox International Channels CEO Launches Fox-Backed Audio-On-Demand Network|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=July 12, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818090734/http://deadline.com/2016/01/fox-backed-audio-on-demand-network-wondery-launched-1201682337/|url-status=live}}</ref> Lopez was joined by Jeffrey Glaser, previously head of current programming at [[20th Century Fox Television]], where he oversaw series including ''[[24 (TV series)|24]]'', ''[[American Dad!]]'', ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'', ''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]'', ''[[Empire (2015 TV series)|Empire]]'', ''[[Family Guy]]'', ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'', ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]'', ''[[Modern Family]]'' and ''[[The X-Files]]''. Glaser was appointed president of content.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/jeffrey-glaser-wondery-20th-century-fox-tv-1201736273/|title=Jeffrey Glaser, Former 20th Century Fox TV Exec, Joins Podcast Startup Wondery|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=March 22, 2016|access-date=July 12, 2016|archive-date=August 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803185616/http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/jeffrey-glaser-wondery-20th-century-fox-tv-1201736273/|url-status=live}}</ref> Line 27 ⟶ 25: ===Growth === Within three years of its founding, Wondery became a top five podcast publisher with 40 million downloads in December 2018 alone. There were six 2019 [[iHeartRadio]] Podcast Award nominations for four of the publisher's show with one win: ''[[Dr. Death (podcast)|Dr. Death]]'' for Most Bingeable Podcast.<ref name="fbs">{{cite news |last1=Dudley |first1=Joshua |title=Wondery And Their Wonderful Year Of Storytelling |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuadudley/2019/01/22/wondery-and-their-wonderful-year-of-storytelling/ |access-date=July 22, 2019 |work=Forbes |date=January 22, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722212418/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuadudley/2019/01/22/wondery-and-their-wonderful-year-of-storytelling/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Wondery began adapting some of its podcasts to television.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keene |first=Allison |date=2018-01-29 |title=Dirty John TV Series Picked Up by Bravo as an Anthology |url=https://collider.com/dirty-john-tv-series-bravo/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Collider |language=en-US}}</ref> That year, Bravo released the ''[[Dirty John (TV series)|Dirty John]]'' TV series starring Connie Britton and Eric Bana. With 3.3 million viewers, ''Dirty John'' became Bravo’s most-watched new series in 4 and a half years.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Joe |last1=Otterson |date=21 January 2019 |title='Dirty John' Finale Hits New Ratings Highs in Live+3 |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/dirty-john-finale-ratings-1203113359/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Variety |language=en}}</ref> Wondery announced plans to adapt other podcasts to TV, including ''[[Dr. Death (2021 TV series)|Dr. Death]]'', ''Over My Dead Body'', ''[[The Shrink Next Door (miniseries)|The Shrink Next Door]]'', ''[[WeCrashed]]'', ''[[American Sports Story]]'' and ''[[Joe vs. Carole]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |date=2020-10-12 |title=Joshua Jackson Replaces Jamie Dornan in Lead Role of Peacock True Crime Series 'Dr. Death' |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/joshua-jackson-dr-death-peacock-1234801294/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Locker |first=Melissa |date=2019-03-09 |title=Meet the startup turning your new favorite podcast into your next TV binge |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90316661/meet-the-startup-turning-your-new-favorite-podcast-into-your-next-tv-binge |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Fast Company |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |date=2020-02-19 |title=Paul Rudd, Will Ferrell to Star in 'Shrink Next Door' Series Adaptation for MRC Television |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/paul-rudd-will-ferrell-shrink-next-door-series-podcast-mrc-television-1203506840/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |date=2020-02-27 |title=Wondery Podcast 'WeCrashed' In Works As Limited Series At Apple |url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/wondery-podcast-wecrashed-in-works-limited-series-at-apple-1202870021/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |date=2021-08-13 |title=FX Orders 'American Sports Story' & 'American Love Story' Spinoffs From Ryan Murphy |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/fx-orders-american-sports-story-american-love-story-spinoffs-ryan-murphy-1234814197/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |date=2020-03-28 |title='Joe Exotic' UCP Limited Series Starring Kate McKinnon As Carole Baskin Becomes Hot Commodity With Success Of Netflix's 'Tiger King' |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/joe-exotic-ucp-limited-series-kate-mckinnon-star-carole-baskin-hot-commodity-success-tiger-king-netflix-1202894920/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> That year, Wondery also partnered with several celebrities who launched shows on the platform, including [[Ellen DeGeneres]], [[Jillian Michaels]], and [[Tina Brown]].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Universal Music Partners With Wondery To Step Up Podcast Production. |url=https://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/universal-music-partners-with-wondery-to-step-up-podcast-production/article_b3831b54-61f8-11e9-97ee-abaac369a361.html |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Insideradio.com |date=April 18, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In June 2018, Wondery announced the release of its premium subscription offering, Wondery+ on iOS and Android. For a monthly fee, Wondery+ subscribers receive ad-free podcasts, early downloads, and bonus materials.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Porch |first=Scott |date=2018-06-27 |title=Is the "Netflix of podcasts" moment finally here? |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/40589660/these-companies-are-trying-to-build-the-netflix-of-podcasts |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Fast Company |language=en-US}}</ref> Line 49 ⟶ 47: On April 28, 2020, Wondery announced a partnership with [[Al Jazeera Media Network]] to launch Business Wars and other flagship podcasts in Arabic via [[Al Jazeera Podcasts]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Al Jazeera and Wondery announce global strategic partnership and launch flagship podcast in the Arab World|url=https://ajmn.tv/2cyl4|date=April 27, 2020|website=Al Jazeera Media Network|language=en|access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref> On May 16, 2020, Wondery was accused of negotiating with the ''[[Call Her Daddy]]'' podcast hosts while they were still under contract with their parent company, [[Barstool Sports]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2020/05/16/call-her-daddy-podcast-hosts-have-turned-on-each-other-insider-says/ |work=New York Post |date=May 16, 2020 |access-date=July 14, 2020 |title='Call Her Daddy' podcast hosts have 'turned on each other,' insider says |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715023748/https://nypost.com/2020/05/16/call-her-daddy-podcast-hosts-have-turned-on-each-other-insider-says/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was reported in early 2021 that Wondery, together with Barstool Sports, [[NPR]], [[iHeartRadio]], and The Daily Wire comprised a group of companies that accounted for one-third of all advertising revenue generated by the entire podcasting industry during 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-03 |title=Barstool Sports, NPR, Wondery Were Top-Earning Podcast Producers Of 2020 (Report) |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/02/03/barstool-sports-wondery-mediaradar-podcasts-2020/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}</ref> Line 55 ⟶ 53: In March 2021, Wondery sold the South African rights to its podcasts to African Media Entertainment, allowing for greater access to podcasts in the growing South African market.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AME partners with Wondery podcasts |url=https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/media/150268/ame-partners-with-wondery-podcasts |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Media Update |date=March 10, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In June 2021, [[Jason Bateman]], [[Will Arnett]] and [[Sean Hayes]]’s podcast ''[[SmartLess In August 2021, Wondery and Amazon Music announced they had arranged an exclusive licensing and ad sales deal with another podcast company, Tinkercast. Newly released Tinkercast podcasts would be released one week early on Amazon Music and ad-free on Wondery+.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wondery signs strategic partnership with Tinkercast |url=https://kidscreen.com/2021/08/26/wondery-signs-strategic-partnership-with-tinkercast/ |access-date=2022-09-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Chan |first1=J. Clara |date=2021-08-25 |title=Wondery, Amazon Music Strike Licensing Deal With Tinkercast (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/wondery-amazon-tinkercast-1235002359/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> Line 61 ⟶ 59: In September 2021, Wondery released a premium subscription service for children and families. Named Wondery+ Kids, the audio subscription is separate from Wondery+. It is available on Apple Podcasts, and is aimed at children ages four through 12.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Neuts |first=Dana E. |date=2021-10-01 |title=Wondery Offers New Kids' Podcast Subscription Service |url=https://www.subscriptioninsider.com/type-of-subscription-business/entertainment-and-streaming/wondery-offers-new-kids-podcast-subscription-service |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Subscription Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> Shortly after launching Wondery+ Kids, the company announced a partnership with Gen-Z Media, which publishes children’s podcasts. Under the terms of the partnership, Wondery obtained exclusive rights to licensing, distribution, marketing, and advertising sales for a minimum of 18 podcasts, which are available ad-free on Wondery+ Kids.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |date=2021-10-13 |title=Wondery Expands Into Kids Podcasting With Gen-Z Media Deal |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/wondery-expands-into-kids-podcasting-with-gen-z-media-deal-1234854690/ |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2022, ''[[How I Built This]]'' hosted by In May 2022, Wondery became the first podcast platform to support [[Dolby Atmos]], an audio format that allows for 3D surround sound.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Espósito |first=Filipe |date=2022-05-11 |title=Dolby Atmos coming to podcasts with Wondery as first supported platform |url=https://9to5mac.com/2022/05/11/dolby-atmos-coming-to-podcasts-with-wondery-as-first-supported-platform/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=9to5Mac |language=en-US}}</ref> Support for Dolby Atmos is available to Wondery+ subscribers, with a free trial available.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Oliver Haslam |date=2022-05-12 |title=Wondery is the first podcast platform to offer Dolby Atmos support |url=https://www.imore.com/wondery-first-podcast-platform-offer-dolby-atmos-support |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=iMore |language=en}}</ref> | |||