Sponsored by SpotsNow Search. Try Advanced Search for Podcast Advertisers. SpotsNow's new AI Search ranks all shows on audience fit and targeting, then allows you to see the performance potential in one click so you isolate the best shows quickly. <a class="l" style="font-weight:bold;color:#BC1515" href="https://podnews.net/class-click/3591/2026-07-22">Try SpotsNow Search Free</a><ul>
<li>In January, we reported on <a href="https://podnews.net/article/podcastadblock-strips-ads-and-sells-shows">PodcastAdBlock, a podcast tool that removed ads from podcasts</a>, selling ad-free copies of shows. It was written by developer, "adventurer and entrepreneur" <a href="https://benbowler.com/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=podnews.net%3A2026-07-22">Ben Bowler</a>, who, by May, <a href="https://podnews.net/update/goalhanger-ventures-investment#story4">had pulled the tool down</a>. Today, we discover, he's back - with Podtastic, a podcast app that skips the ads for $2.99 a month (none of which goes back to the creators, but up to 30% of that money will go to Apple or Google in app store fees).
<ul>
<li>This app works a little differently. In our tests, the app downloads the MP3 files directly to the phone each time, and <a href="https://podnews.net/uploads/podtastic-logs.avif">looks in our logs</a> like a web browser (specifically, Safari v604.1), so it's going to be hard to block without blocking every web browser out there. It correctly skipped past our sponsor's ad-read in our daily podcast: but in the description, it's very careful not to suggest that it skips ads at all - just that it can "automatically skip past the interruptions other listeners skip", and it carefully doesn't mention any podcasts by name. We're curious whether this app is within Apple's App Store terms. It's produced by <a href="https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10697378?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=podnews.net%3A2026-07-22">Freewheel Group Ltd</a>.</li>
<li>What does it mean for your podcast? It won't change your download numbers (they'll appear under "web browser"): it just means that the advertising will be less effective, and that advertisers will be less likely to rebook.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>First look: <a href="https://podnews.net/press-release/pave-studios-creators-jul22">PAVE Studios has signed a further roster of creators who are joining the studio</a>, including true crime creators, journalists and podcast hosts. "Creators join PAVE because we invest in them the way studios once invested in stars, with development resources, cross-format opportunities, and a team obsessed with growing their audience alongside them,” said PAVE Studios Founder and Chief Executive Max Cutler.</li>
<li>Only a couple of weeks ago, Mike Pesca announced he was to stop hosting his popular podcast <a href="https://podnews.net/podcast/ia7e"><cite>The Gist</cite></a> (which had just hit <a href="https://podnews.net/press-release/the-gist-3000">3,000 episodes</a>). Today, <a href="https://xcancel.com/bariweiss/status/2078202416470589703?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=podnews.net%3A2026-07-22">Bari Weiss has announced</a> that he has signed with CBS News as Editorial Director of Podcasts.</li>
</ul><a href="https://podnews.net/update/skipping-ad-player">> > > Read more of today’s podcast industry news stories on the Podnews website</a>: and get our free daily newsletter.Classifieds - <a href="https://podnews.net/classifieds/">your job or ad here</a><ul><li><a href="https://podnews.net/class-click/3483/2026-07-22" rel="sponsored">Think it. Talk it. Script it. Podnami.com</a> &mdash; Start with a conversation, not a blank page. Talk through ideas with AI co-hosts, then turn it into a structured script instantly or enter an idea and a script will be created for you.</li><li><a href="https://podnews.net/class-click/3071/2026-07-22" rel="sponsored"> AudienceLift.com - YouTube Growth + Subs 🌟</a> &mdash; 🌟 AudienceLift.com – YouTube Growth + Subs 
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href="https://www.gamutpodcasts.com?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supporter">Gamut Podcast Network</a>, <a href="https://wearebumper.com/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supporter">Bumper</a>, <a href="https://www.goalhanger.com?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supporter">Goalhanger</a>, <a href="https://soundsdebatable.com?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supporter">Sounds Debatable</a>, <a href="https://truenativemedia.com/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supporter">True Native Media</a>, <a href="https://www.magellan.ai/?SQF_SOURCE=podnews&utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supporter">Magellan AI</a>, <a href="https://nomono.co/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supporter">Nomono</a>, <a href="https://tinkmedia.co/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supporter">Tink Media</a>, <a 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