Podcast Movement Evolutions will return to SXSW in 2027 after its first full integration into the Austin festival this year.
The three-day event brought podcast creators, platforms, advertisers, brands, journalists and entertainers together in downtown Austin as part of the wider SXSW programme, marking a deeper link between the podcast industry and the global media gathering.
Organisers said the move placed podcasting alongside film, music and technology discussions already central to the annual festival.
Bryan Barletta, Partner at Sounds Profitable and President of Podcast Movement, said the response to the collaboration showed how the industry is evolving.
“For the first year of bringing Podcast Movement Evolutions to SXSW, the event far exceeded our expectations.
“Podcasting is now competing for attention across every medium, and that changes the level of effort required to stand out.
“Showing up at SXSW with real talent, meaningful programming, and new voices in the room is the new baseline.”
Programming across the weekend reflected podcasting’s role in entertainment, technology and creator led media, with live recordings, performances and interviews.
Actor Maya Hawke appeared for a live recording of the Broken Record podcast followed by an acoustic performance, while storyteller John Allen, known as MrBallen, delivered a live storytelling session.
Musician Andy Grammer also took part in a fireside chat and performance, and the Table Read podcast recorded a live episode with Kensington Tallman, Allison Dunbar and Shaan Sharma.
Industry platforms featured heavily in the programme. Steve McLendon, Product Lead for YouTube’s podcasting initiatives, delivered a keynote discussing the platform’s growth to more than one billion monthly podcast viewers and the role of video discovery and creator tools.
Apple Podcasts executives Stacey Goers and Jake Shapiro also appeared on stage to discuss Apple’s recently announced video podcast experience powered by HLS, which enables a dedicated video environment within Apple Podcasts and supports creator controlled dynamic video advertising.
The event concluded with the Independent Podcaster and Creator Awards, presented by Oxford Road and hosted by Killer Mike, recognising creators including Steven Bartlett, Tim Ferriss and Hala Taha.
To receive more information about next year’s Podcast Movement Evolutions at SXSW event and about Podcast Movement in New York City in September 2026, subscribe to the Podcast Movement newsletter here.
