Paris-based music-streaming service Deezer, which just arrived in the U.S. last month, is getting into the podcast game.
The Spotify rival on Friday announced it has acquired San Francisco-based radio app Stitcher, which offers access to news, entertainment, comedy, and sports programs. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition gives Deezer a catalog of 35,000 radio shows from 40 countries, including fan favorites like NPR, This American Life Freakonomics, Wall Street Journal, WTF with Marc Maron, Savage Lovecast, BBC, CBC, and RTE, among others. That's on top of the 35 million songs already available on Deezer.
Current Stitcher users don't have to worry - the service isn't going away. You'll still be able to use Stitcher just as you always have, on mobile phones, tablets, and in more than 50 car models, the company said.
But going forward, Stitcher's radio programs will also be available on Deezer.
"Next year Stitcher will be integrated into Deezer, so you'll be able to experience your favorite talk shows and podcasts whenever, wherever," according to a post on the Deezer blog. "We'll also make sure to recommend shows that we know you'll like, helping you to discover more gems like Nerdist, The Moth, or Slate.com's Culture Gabfest."
The move comes after Deezer last month made its entry into the U.S. on Sonos home-audio systems. Deezer Elite is now available on the Sonos Wireless HiFi System, offering access to millions of tracks in high-definition audio.
Those without Sonos equipment can sign up on the Deezer website for early access prior to the wider U.S. launch.
Though Deezer might not be as well known here in the U.S. as Spotify or Rdio, it's one of the top music-streaming services worldwide with 16 million monthly users in more than 180 countries.