RAIN Notes: Monday July 26
Jottings of Note
— Toss the TOS (James Cridland on Fireside)
— I Want My… (MTV. Bob Pittman celebrates)
— Quick and Dirty (History)
Author: Brad Hill
SCA loads up LiSTNR with new music stations, adopting a radio-app strategy
Australian media company Southern Cross Austereo has added 10 music stations to its LiSTNR app, bringing its total station count to 25. The company is calling the additions “DAB+ music stations,” but the emphasis is more on the app than on DAB+ reception and listening. Adding pure music streams to radio-based apps is a familiar strategy. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio, NYTimes jump in Media Monitors Q2 podcast listening survey
In its quarterly survey of podcast listening, Media Monitors determined that iHeartRadio and NPR were the top two podcast publishers in Q2, as in Q1, based on the number of network-owned podcasts cited by survey respondents. Our comparison of the Q1-Q2 results shows much sameness in top networks. Continue Reading
Darren Davis to step away from iHeartMedia, ending near-30-year run
Darren Davis, the president of iHeartRadio for nearly eight years, and a near-30-year veteran of iHeartMedia, is formally leaving the company at year’s end. He will maintain an advisory role. We reminisce across the career milestones of a valued RAIN partner. Continue Reading
Pacific Content expands services beyond core production, working with Chartable and Signal Hill Insights
Leading branded content podcast company Pacific Content has fleshed out its platform, adding pre- and post-production service to legacy show production skill. We talked to the company to get details. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Thursday, July 22
Jottings of Note
— Psychic Prowess? (Jason Brownlee)
— Toutes les Felicitations (AdsWizz)
— New Leash on Life (Gary Reisman)
Corus Entertainment’s “Curiouscast Podcast Hour” extends shows to radio distribution
Canadian media company Corus has started distributing its podcast content to radio, via “The Curiouscast Podcast Hour.” The shows are heard weekly on seven Corus radio stations, hosted by Chris “Dunner” Duncombe, director of Streaming and Podcasting. Click for stations and broadcast times. Continue Reading
NBC Olympics piles into podcasting, creating Apple Podcasts channel
As the beleaguered Tokyo Olympics get underway this week, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday, NBC Olympics is promoting its range of Olympics podcasts. The network’s emphasis is on its Apple Podcasts channel, where the shows are grouped. Click for details. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio developing Alexa-powered song requests, dedications, and DJ Q&As for radio
iHeartRadio is developing new Amazon Alexa skills for listeners to communicate with on-air radio studios — requests, dedications, and Q&A chats with DJs. Testing is in progress. There’s a video explainer. Continue Reading
BetterHelp top podcast advertiser in June; three newcomers in top 15 (Magellan AI)
Online therapy service BetterHelp topped Magellan AI’s monthly list of top advertisers of June. BetterHelp was the biggest spender the previous two months as well, and we compare April, May, and June lists with a graphic illustrating unique appearances. ALSO: a fantastic animated visualization of the top podcast spenders over 12 months — must see. Continue Reading
Crooked Media signs with Acast to market its shows to international advertisers
Crooked Media, the network home of Pod Save America and over 20 other podcasts, has entered a partnership with Acast to unlock international advertising. The deal announcement is focused on Acast’s English-speaking markets: Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Continue Reading
Gastropod partners with Vox Media’s Eater for sales, marketing, distribution, and future development
In a landmark piece of bizdev for popular podcast Gastropod, the show is tying up with Eater, a Vox Media property. The Eater/Vox promotion and sales machinery will handle Gastropod‘s marketing, ad sales, and distribution. The announcement also promises “editorial collaborations and extensions.” It is not an acquisition; Gastropod remains independently owned. Continue Reading