Podcasting, iTunes may threaten Audible's future

Forthcoming podcasting features in iTunes 4.9 will help popularize the growing Podcasting phenomenon and along with other recently announced free podcast offerings, it may threaten Audible's business, according to one research firm. Forbes reports that Standard & Poor's Equity Research reiterated a "sell" rating on Audible, saying that that "podcasting constitutes a growing threat" to the company, "particularly its Periodicals and Radio and TV categories." In the report, S&P Equity Research said that a number of media outlets have recently announced new and free podcasting offerings, which it thinks "will detract from interest in similar content from Audible that generally costs $6.95 to $12.95 a month per download."

Filed under: iPod, industry