James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: BBC cuts; TechSurvey, RAJAR
by James Cridland
A packed column this week from James. The title outlines a big scope … plus, BBC Radio 5 turns off its AM. And more.
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Month: May 2022
Acast ventures into Asia with Singapore launch; Timi Siytangco leads
International podcast company Acast has launched in Asia with the appointment of Singapore-based Timi Siytangco as Key Account Director. Acast calls Siytangco’s hire as “the next iteration in Acast’s ambitious international growth strategy.” Click for relevant Asia listening metrics. Continue Reading
Ads in the top 10 U.S. podcasts deliver 33% reach of weekly U.S. listeners (Edison Research)
In a startling demonstration of how long the “long tail” of media can be, Edison Research has posted an article illustrating that the top 10 podcasts reach a third of weekly U.S. listeners. In a field of nearly three million podcasts, this data point is a stark reminder of how concentrated is media success and reach.
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Slip.stream music library platform raises $7.5M Series financing; Sony Music involved
Music library platform Slip.stream, which contains over 100,000 tracks and sound effects, has obtained $7.5-million in Series A financing led by Sony Music Entertainment, Third Prime, and Lightshed Ventures. Slip.stream joins an industry segment of music libraries in an addressable market of 22-million YouTube creators and 30-million independent creators who need audio assets for their creations. Continue Reading
Four new-listener trends in podcasting (SXM Media Podcast Trends Report)
The report identifies and profiles a new breed of podcast listener. That profile is younger, equally gender-divided, and more likely to be Black or Hispanic. And they don’t (yet?) listen nearly as much as longtime (6+ years) listeners. Four major new-listener trends are identified. Click for graphics and analysis. Continue Reading
Focusrite teases agreement with Acast
Acast is teasing a quasi-announcement, timed with the Podcast Show happening in London this week. In it, we learn that Focusrite and Acast will do something together, sometime. It’s a tease. Our guess: A discount on the Scarlett brand of Focusrite recording interfaces. Continue Reading
Six podcast advertisers in Top 15 for 12 straight months; zero newcomers (Magellan AI)
Magellan AI released its always-interesting Top Spenders list, listing the highest 15 spenders for April. BetterHelp lands in the #1 spot, as it has for the last 12 months in today’s RAIN analysis of this ranker. There are zero newcomers. Click through for downloadable 12-month chart. Continue Reading
YouTube leads other platforms for podcasts that “simulcast” on YouTube
In an interesting piece of research from Podtrac, YouTube had a larger share of podcast plays for shows that distribute full video episodes on YouTube. The results add dimension to the growing idea that putting a podcast on YouTube is a good idea for discoverability. Podtrac’s work points to YouTube as a potential leader in audience reach. Continue Reading
Marc Maron and “WTF” to join Acast
Legendary podcaster Marc Maron is taking his WTF with Marc Maron show to Acast for full representation and distribution, starting July 1. The new alliance means that Acast will be the exclusive host and sales partner for the podcast, its full back catalog, and other related materials. The show’s schedule and distribution won’t change. Continue Reading
SiriusXM acquires Team Coco podcast company in $150M addition to audio juggernaut
Today SiriusXM announces its acquisition of Conan O’Brien’s podcast company Team Coco, for $150-million. The deal includes hit podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” and all Team Coco employees become SiriusXM employees. Team Coco produced 14 shows currently. Conan enters a five-year development deal. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Monday, May 23
Jottings of Note
— Measuring the Tail (Larry Rosin)
— Aspirational (The New York Times)
— Podreading (The Podcast Reader)
Stitcher, part of SXM Media, atop new Triton Digital U.S. Podcast report (April)
Triton Digital released the April U.S. Podcast Report, showing top 20 networks and top podcast shows (each measured by number of downloads and audience reach. Click for details. Continue Reading