RAIN Notes: October 24, 2025
— A line erased / Chris Grosso
— All for one Adelicious
— Rising again / Napster
Author: Brad Hill
Steve Goldstein: What Happens When College Students Critique AI-Generated Podcasts
“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
From sofas to Uber: Top pod-spending brands (September)
The top-spending podcast advertiser in September was Washable sofas, which invested $7.3-million in the month. That info from stalwart measurement company Podtrac in the September edition of its Top Spenders. Click for numbers, a separate “Movers and Shakers” list, and the source link. Continue Reading
International Podcast Alliance opens with collaborative group to support market growth
From Paris and London we learn that a global collaboration of podcast/audio producers, businesses, and publishers has opened the International Podcast Alliance (IPA). The aim is to strengthen dialog across formats and geographies, share market data and support market development, and promote best practices. Click for details. Continue Reading
Global launches video podcast studio; also new sports division
London-based media and entertainment group Global has splashed a double announcement. First, the creation of Global Studios, described as a “new creative powerhouse for video-first podcast brands. Also, a new unit called Sport by Global. Click for details and quotes. Continue Reading
Edison Top 50 podcasts Q3; nearly identical to Q2; Rogan reigns
In the thin upper atmosphere of podcast rankings, change over time is small and rare. Edison Research has released its Top 50 Podcasts in the U.S. based on reach for Q3 2025 among weekly podcast consumers ages 13+. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: October 21, 2025
— Dashboard AM, one way or another / Tesla
— Unchangingness / Eric Nuzum
RAIN Notes: October 20, 2025
— After 17 years / Spotify
— Walled garden + open platform: A speculative merger / Hernan Lopez
Nothing succeeds like success in latest top-50 podcasts (Edison Research)
Edison releases its Q3 accounting of the top podcasts in U.S. listening. We view it as a demonstration of success stability. Continue Reading
Edison Research acquired by SSRS
Edison Research has been acquired by market research company SSRS. The company assures that the transition will be smooth sailing for Edison clients. Click for details. Continue Reading
The Signal Awards releases 2025 podcast winners
The Signal Awards has released its 2025 slate of winners. This program’s goal is to recognize “podcasts that define culture.” One might conclude a secondary goal: to overwhelm us with an enormous trove of excellence … and a prodigious range of podcast discovery. Continue Reading
September podcast production breaks slide with uptick
New podcast production took a step upward in September compared to August, nudging about two percent to the gain. The most startling metric in this month’s statistical roundup is in the “AI Fake Podcasts Removed” chart. Click for details. Continue Reading