Audioboom Q1: “A breakthrough” with double-digit revenue gains, quarterly profit, $41 CPMs, more

Publicly traded Audioboom (London Stock Exchange) released its Q1 results. CEO Stuart Last called it “a breakthrough period for Audioboom.” The company’s quarterly releases are especially notable as Audioboom is the only publicly traded major pure podcast publisher; the results offer a glimpse into podcasting economics. Continue Reading

Spotify launches Car Thing: voice controlled, knob-assisted, dashboard-placed, outright challenge to radio and the commute

The rumored in-car listening device from Spotify, playfully called Car Thing, has arrived. The voice-controlled, knob-adjusting device is flagrantly designed to push aside both the car radio, the in-car smartphone, and in-dash systems … for Premium subscribers, at least, who get the device free during an introductory period. Click for pics and more.
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Vox Media acquires Preet Bharara’s Cafe Studios

Vox Media announced Sunday evening that it has acquired Cafe Studios, co-founded in 2017 by Preet Bharara. Cafe Studios explores how law and policy intersect with politics, news, business, history, and technology. The acquisition will be placed in Vox Media Podcast Network, a division of Vox Media Studios, a unit of Vox Media.  Continue Reading