RAIN Notes: Monday, December 18
Author: Brad Hill
“The gravitational pull toward digital” — audio-related highlights of Nieman Lab predictions
Journalism advocacy group Nieman lab has published its 2024 predictions. Featuring what Nieman refers to as “the smartest people in journalism,” the collection features dozens of writers, publishers, newscasters, and industry executives. We look at three audio-related contributions from Kerri Hoffman, Kristen Muller, and Eric Nuzum. Continue Reading
vCreative chooses Frequency for data-controlled ad distribution
vCreative, a cloud-based software provider for the broadcast radio industry has chosen audio ad management platform Frequency to leverage next-gen tools for the production, management, and delivery of targeted ads in radio. Click to learn more about this deal, and a fascinating case study of real-time live ad customization. Continue Reading
Nine new shows enter Triton’s Australian Podcast Ranker
In an encouraging sign of variety in listener choice, 44 Australian podcasts debuted on Triton Digital’s Australian Podcast Ranker for November. The ranker lists 200 podcasts, a first-time expansion of Triton’s format. The company cites “the influx of new podcasts.” Click for more info. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Thursday, December 14
Video podcast consumers are cross-platform: Sounds Profitable/Signal Hill study
Sound You Can See; Podcasting’s Video Dilemma, a new study produced by Sounds Profitable and Signal Hill Insights, explores the duality of podcasting as an audio and video format. Fielded in November the survey reveals a large volume of granular information about usage habits among video consumers of podcasts. Click for some key details, graphs, and a link to the complete 81-page PDF. Continue Reading
NPR sunsets the NPR One app, unifying mobile features in the NPR app
In a dramatic simplification of its mobile experiences, NPR is discontinuing the NPR One app. In this consolidation the company has moved NPR One features into the existing (and now revamped) NPR app. Click for details and history. Continue Reading
Spoken word share is up, especially podcasts (Westwood One and Edison Research)
Pierre Bouvard of the Westwood One Blog has revealed portions of the Share Of Ear research study performed by Edison Research. Among many results, we learn that spoken word audio is generally up — due initially to the pandemic and accelerating since then — and ad-supported streaming music via Spotify and Pandora is down. Oh, and podcasting share has risen dramatically over seven years. Continue Reading
Warner Bros. Discovery chooses Spotify for podcast distro and sales
In a joint announcement this morning, Spotify and media giant Warner Bros. announced a distribution and sales agreement which will see podcasts in the Warner Bros Discovery unit hosted and monetized in Spotify’s technology and sales systems. The agreement includes shows in over two dozen media brands owned by Discovery, including CNN and HBO. Continue Reading
Brief application period for new Low Power FM (LPFM) Stations
The FCC has announced an open application period, starting on November 1, for new Low Power FM (LPFM) Radio Stations. The opening follows a brief blackout period for new applications. Click for a help center with filing instructions. Continue Reading
Acast crosses $30M in ad revenue to Australian podcasters
Global podcast company Acast is publicizing its accomplishments in Australia. As a broad and significant metric, the company has disclosed that it has delivered $31-million in local ad revenue to its indie podcast creators. The time span for this accomplishment is about six years — Acast entered the Aussi market in 2017.
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RAIN Notes: Friday, December 8