Global podcast company Acast has released Podcast Pulse 2025, the latest in its annual report series on global podcast trends. (RAIN’s coverage of the 2024 report is HERE.) The backbone theme of this year’s report describes an evolutionary step into a new era for podcasting, defined by a reshaping of influence, trust, and culture. Click for details and link to the source. Continue Reading
Is more better? Not necessarily. Algorithms don’t prioritize volume, Steve Goldstein astutely observes in his latest guest column. And he says the mandate is clear: “Make fewer things. Make better things.” Oh, and his famous Podcast Grid Of Pain graphic. A bracing and essential column. Continue Reading
In this monthly feature, we look back one decade to November 2015, and revisit selected headlines. Click any item to visit the article. Happy decade surfing. Continue Reading
Total net revenue declined 11.5% year over year, in the Q3 finance report from Cumulus Media. The company separates digital revenue from total net revenue, offering a more nuanced look at the business. This is what we see in the… Continue Reading
Settled / UMG
Junkie to Tubi / Audiochuck
In an impressively steady 10-year shift, two-thirds of time spent with streaming music platforms has shifted from free sources to paid streaming. This is from Edison Research in its Weekly Insights email bulletin. Continue Reading
Reaching back / Headliner
24/7 / iHeartMedia
A pioneering radio first-mover / Susan Stamberg
“A Profitable Podcast Powerhouse” — that’s how Audioboom alliteratively self-describes in its Q3 earnings report. The company puts special focus on the Audioboom Creator Network and the July acquisition of podcast hosting network Adelicious. More. Continue Reading
Amazon will shrink Audible, its audiobook distribution and creation platform, laying off about 30,000 jobs. It’s the second sudden workforce and product reduction at Amazon in 10 weeks. Continue Reading
YouTube Music has released a milestone announcement: Over $8 billion was paid out to the music industry in the 12 months between July 2024 and June 2025. That riveting metric was released at a conference by Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s Global Head of Music. Continue Reading
— A line erased / Chris Grosso
— All for one Adelicious
— Rising again / Napster
“The emotional DNA of podcasting” — that’s what Seve Goldstein’s latest guest column is about. He invited Tom Webster (partner, Sounds Profitable) into Steve’s NYU course, The Business of Podcasting. The class topic: Where the next generation of podcast listeners will come from. That evolved into a discussion of AI podcasts. After listening to some, student reactions were fascinating. Continue Reading