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 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
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, 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
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
Last December the IAB announced that the annual Podcast Upfront showcase to advertisers was shifting to a spring event, to place it closer to the Video Upfronts. That rescheduled event did take place (virtually) in May, but now the IAB announces a fall podcast event as well, on September 9-10, timed with a new research report. Click through for details and confirmed presenters. Continue Reading
Global podcast company Audioboom released its Q2 earnings this morning (London Stock Exchange), documenting record high revenue and a bit of profit (using adjusted EBITDA) — the first reported profit for the company. Click through for financials and comments from CEO Stuart Last. Continue Reading
Jottings of Note
— New Horizons (James O. Boggs)
— Mapping Radio’s Place (NuVoodoo)
— Bereavement (Mat George)
A 97-paragraph UK Parliamentary committee has issued a dense report which analyzes the British music streaming industry, educating lawmakers about how it works and recommending a “complete reset.” Two main thrusts: Criticism of labels, and recommendation of collective licensing as in the U.S. Continue Reading
Triton Digital released its latest U.S. Podcast Report, a four-week measurement. In the Top 15 Networks portion, Average Weekly Downloads dropped 11% from the previous four-week period. That doesn’t necessarily mean a drop in listening. Click for details and the list. Continue Reading
Automattic, parent company of WordPress has acquired podcast listening app Pocket Casts from NPR and a consortium of public stations. The idea is to integrate a respected audio platform with the world’s dominant blogging platform, which already has text-to-speech capability. Lots of potential and interest here.
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Jottings of Note
— Money for Nothing (U.S. Copyright Office)
— Platform of Champions (Acast)
— Hopeful Return (Sonos & PRX)