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Shoppers are turning to news podcasts with video , and publishers are too. The Guardian\u2019s new US video podcast Stateside with Kai and Carter launches May 13, joining a wave of newsrooms and creators experimenting with filmed episodes to reach wider, younger, and more visual audiences.<\/strong><\/p>\n Essential Takeaways<\/p>\n The headline news is simple and striking: The Guardian is launching Stateside with Kai and Carter in the US on May 13. You can almost picture the set , crisp lighting, tight two-shots, and conversations that feel a little more televisual. The Guardian\u2019s move signals that legacy outlets see value in repackaging their journalistic muscle into a format that looks as good as it sounds. A new Reuters Institute report lays out what many in the industry already feel: video reaches different audiences and opens up new monetisation and distribution options. Newsrooms that once focussed on audio are now experimenting with filmed segments, social-ready clips and platform-first episodes tailored to YouTube, Spotify, and other players. Video podcast viewers aren\u2019t simply audio listeners with cameras. They often expect more visual storytelling: cutaways, B\u2011roll, lower-thirds and tighter edits. The Reuters Institute research found that video can attract younger viewers and people who wouldn\u2019t typically seek out a long-form news podcast. Audience trust follows familiar names. The Guardian\u2019s hires signal this clearly: Menjivar\u2019s narrative pedigree and Humphreys\u2019s newsroom leadership are selling points in press materials and likely to attract listeners who track production quality. Industry hires , from big public-radio producers to award\u2011nominated editors , are increasingly used as proof points when launching new video slots. If you want to sample the trend, start with episodes that are clearly labelled as video and check whether they\u2019re available on the device you prefer. The Guardian will likely publish Stateside on its own channels and on major platforms; check episode pages for download options and captions. It’s a small change that can make your news habit feel a lot more alive.<\/p>\n\n
Guardian goes visual: Stateside brings TV polish to podcasting<\/h2>\n
\nBackstage, the show has serious talent attached. Jonathan Menjivar, with credits at Pineapple Street and This American Life, is executive producing, and Rachel Humphreys, recently of The Wall Street Journal podcast The Journal, is deputy executive producer. That pedigree suggests the show will balance rigorous reporting with the kind of narrative flow listeners expect from premium podcasts.
\nFor viewers, the appeal is immediate: you get facial expressions, archive clips, on\u2011screen graphics and a sense of being in the room. If you\u2019re used to news podcasts as commute companions, be ready for a different rhythm , and possibly watching at home, not on the tube.<\/p>\nWhy publishers are investing in video podcasting<\/h2>\n
\nPublishers say the shift isn\u2019t just cosmetic. Video demands different scripting, production values, and pacing , and that changes how teams plan interviews and visuals. And with platforms promoting short clips and watch-first discovery, there\u2019s a commercial logic to the investment.
\nIf you\u2019re a creator thinking of trying video, start small: film a single segment, test what viewers watch to the end, and lean into captions and repurposed short clips for socials.<\/p>\nWhat the audience actually wants , and expects<\/h2>\n
\nThat said, preferences vary by market. The study drew on data from the US, UK and Norway and suggests producers need to adapt content, not just tack on a camera. For instance, debate-heavy formats might work well on video, while deeply introspective audio essays can lose momentum when filmed.
\nPractical advice: check the platform and episode length before you press play. If you\u2019re watching on mobile data, opt for platforms that offer adjustable streaming quality or downloads over Wi\u2011Fi.<\/p>\nThe talent behind the shows matters , and sells<\/h2>\n
\nThat\u2019s partly because video requires different production leadership; you need someone who understands both visual story craft and podcast pacing. Publishers are hiring accordingly, turning to people who can bridge TV, film and audio workflows.
\nFor listeners, that often means sharper visuals and slicker edits. For the industry, it\u2019s a reminder that video podcasting is a resource play as much as an editorial one.<\/p>\nHow to watch and why it matters for listeners<\/h2>\n
\nRemember, video podcasts are a different viewing experience. They\u2019re great for in\u2011depth interviews you want to see as well as hear, but they\u2019re less practical for walking or chores. So save them for when you can watch, or look for the audio-only feed if you\u2019re on the move.
\nUltimately, the move to filmed shows broadens choice: you can stick with audio comfort or explore something more visual. Either way, it\u2019s a sign that podcasting keeps evolving , and that the medium remains hungry for new ways to tell stories.<\/p>\nSource Reference Map<\/h3>\n