Amazon Music to buy Wondery

US podcast producer and platform Wondery is set to become part of the Amazon family, having signed a deal with Amazon Music.

Amazon Music launched podcasts in September 2020, and said with Wondery on board it will be able to accelerate the growth and evolution of the medium by bringing creators, hosts and immersive experiences to even more listeners.

Wondery is behind podcast titles such as Dirty John, Dr Death, Business Wars and The Shrink Next Door, and last year launched its app in Australia. It has been partnered with Australian-based podcast company Whooshkaa since 2018.

Despite spruiking the benefits of the deal, Amazon Music said nothing will change for listeners, and they’ll still be able to access Wondery podcasts via a range of providers.

“With Amazon Music, Wondery will be able to provide even more high-quality, innovative content and continue their mission of bringing a world of entertainment and knowledge to their audiences, wherever they listen,” a statement form the companies said.

It is, they said, a pivotal moment to expand Amazon Music’s offering beyond music.

“Our commitment to podcasts, our focus on high quality audio with the Amazon Music HD tier, and our recent partnership with Twitch to bring live streaming into the app, make Amazon Music a premiere destination for creators,” the statement said.

“Together with Wondery, we will continue to bring more customers to streaming as we expand selection and ensure we are a destination for our customers to find, discover, and listen to the creators and artists they enjoy.”

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.