Audacy Closes Pineapple Street Podcast Studio, Lays Off Nearly 30 Employees

Audacy, the podcast and radio broadcasting company now controlled by Soros Fund Management, is closing its Pineapple Street Studios division, resulting in nearly 30 layoffs. Pineapple Street was known for producing original podcasts and companion series for major TV shows like HBO's "House of the Dragon," Apple TV+'s "Severance," and Hulu's "Wind of Change." This strategic move aligns with Audacy's focus on its core strengths and owned podcast portfolio rather than producing for third-party brands. The closure follows Audacy's emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier in 2024 and a corporate restructuring that included merging other podcast divisions into Audacy Podcasts. Despite shutting down Pineapple Street, Audacy will continue producing select Pineapple series in collaboration with partners such as Red Hour and Great Scott, including upcoming episodes of "The Severance Podcast." The company recently appointed Kelli Turner as CEO and has undergone significant leadership changes amid these shifts.