RAIN Notes: May 28
Appearances – Hernan Lopez
Coming Home – The Association of Independents in Radio
Deepening The Presence – Molly DeMellier Continue Reading
Author: Brad Hill
Spotify, BBC, YouTube win in UK podcast listening; audio and video both robust. (Ofcom)
This is Part Two in our coverage of the Audio Listening in the UK report from London-based UK communications regulator Ofcom, 2025 edition. The survey-based study examines audio listening preferences, needs, and expectations. Click for details, and link to Part One. Continue Reading
Online music listening on par with radio in UK. (Ofcom research)
London-based UK communications regulator Ofcom has released the 2025 edition of its Audio listening in the UK report. This survey-based study examines audio listening preferences, needs, and expectations.
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Edison Research Top Q1 podcasts in UK; plus RAIN historical comparison
Edison Research unleashes another of its recurring podcast studies this week, coordinated with The Podcast Show in London. Top 25 Podcasts in the UK details the most popular shows in Q1. Plus — RAIN’s comparison to previous results of this research focus. Continue Reading
Steve Goldstein: Podcasts: The Power Behind The Word “Podcast”
The definition of “podcast” is changing, but the opportunity may be bigger than ever. In this edition of Steve Goldstein’s guest column, The Amplifi Media Founder/CEO weighs whether podcasting is more of an experience than a platform. At the same time, the term podcasting still matters, though it might need a redefinition. Continue Reading
UK listeners embrace smart devices in home and car: Edison Research
In the latest release of its iconic The Infinite Dial UK survey report, presented at this week’s The Podcast Show in London, Edison Research reports that UK consumers embrace smart devices in-home and in-car. Continue Reading
Ad-supported audio: 66% of time spent with radio; 19% podcasts; 12% streaming audio … and more from Nielsen/Edison
In the newly released Q1 edition of The Record — the quarterly series measuring how consumers spend their listening day with ad-supported online audio — we learn that radio rules the time spent metric, especially in older demos. Click for details, charts. Continue Reading
Local digital advertising at “historic threshhold” (Borrell Associates)
In 48 data graphs across 67 pages, local business analyst Borrell Associates tracks how the advertising industry in its many segments has transitioned to a digital medium. “Local digital advertising cleared a historic threshold in 2024,” Borrell states, noting that it topped $100 billion at that point, and accounted for about 70% of all local ad spending.” Click for metrics, an elaborately revealing chart, and a link to an upcoming webinar.
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Cridland, Bartlett set to receive Ambies awards in London
Professional trade organization The Podcast Academy, which produced an annual awards program for podcast creators, has announced the introduction of two new international honors. Continue Reading
YouTube launches Weekly Podcast ranker; Rogan tops. We compare Edison.
YouTube has launched and announced a podcast popularity chart, awkwardly named “Weekly Top Podcast Shows: Most popular podcast shows on YouTube.” The date range for this debut weekly chart is May 5-11, establishing a reporting cadence with a one-week lag. We examine and compare this ranker to recent Edison Research data on podcast popularity. Continue Reading
AccuRadio Seeks Chapter 11 Protection, Citing Broken Royalty System and SoundExchange Litigation
Venerable streaming service and RAIN News sponsor AccuRadio is starting the process of bankruptcy protection in Chicago. The action comes after several months of negotiation with government mandated music royalty collection agency SoundExchange. That negotiation is at an impasse, according… Continue Reading
YouTube starts micro-placement of ads with AI-located “peak moments”
AI meets hyper-exact ad placement in YouTube’s latest pitch to advertisers. YouTube has announced a new ad placement scheme based on AI assessment of something called Peak Points — the moments in videos which have highest engagement, or are emotionally impactful.
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