Parent company SiriusXM says you have until August 29th to find a new listening platform.

Stitcher to Cease Operations in August

Stitcher, the well-known podcasting app and web service, is set to cease operations on August 29th, as stated in an FAQ on its website. The closure seems to be aimed at consolidating its user base into the larger SiriusXM platform, which acquired Stitcher for $325 million in 2020.

“SiriusXM, the owner of Stitcher, is focused on incorporating podcasts into its flagship SiriusXM subscription business,” the endnote reads. “Subscribers will be able to listen to podcasts on the SiriusXM app and see a completely new listening experience later this year.” The announcement added that Stitcher Studios and its Earwolf comedy network will continue to produce podcasts. While Stitcher says its premium content may continue elsewhere, it adds that “hosts/creators decide the availability and accessibility of their shows.” The company recommends following your favorite podcast creators on social media to find out the fate of individual shows.

The platform has been a popular destination for exclusive and cross-platform podcasts. Stitcher’s original podcasts include Freakonomics Radio, The Video Archives Podcast with Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary, LeVar Burton Reads, and Science Rules! With Bill Nye (among others). The application is known for its user-friendly navigation, extensive library and discovery recommendations.

The company began as a startup, focusing on its listening app in 2008. It was acquired by Deezer in 2014 and sold to Midroll Media two years later. Finally, the parent company E.W. The Scripps Company sold it to SiriusXM in 2020 — the satellite-only radio provider announced it was closing today.

Stitcher disabled auto-renewal for paid subscriptions today and refined the refund process for premium customers. Those who already have a subscription do not need to do anything to cancel. Meanwhile, people whose annual subscriptions are scheduled to renew after August 29 will receive a prorated refund for the unused portion of the paid year. (You can read the full terms and conditions here.)