News

Podcasting breaks 50% barrier, reaching a majority of American adults (Sounds Profitable)

Posted on by Brad Hill

“Podcasts now reach 53% of Americans 18+ every month – the first report of monthly consumption reaching the majority of adults in the US.”

That is the #1 takeaway from The Podcast Landscape, 2024, released by Sounds Profitable as its largest survey ever, and claimed to be the largest publicly available study of podcast consumption in the U.S. We grab hold of the first several sections and plumb them for knowledge. Click for details, graphics, and a link to the original.
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Al Michaels went AI at the Olympics. Radio DJs don’t love the idea, but 20% would do it. (Jacobs Media)

Posted on by Brad Hill

While watching the recently completed 2024 Summer Olympics, we didn’t realize that the nearly ubiquitous voice of Al Michaels, heard round the clock, was not the physical (and presumably sleepy) Al Michaels. But while studying a new survey research deck from Jacobs Media this morning, we encountered “AI Al Michaels.” Jacobs surveyed on-air talent to discover their attitudes about AI generally, and the specific use in the Olympics. The result is part of a 66-page study. Continue Reading →

Tidal intros ownership tracking

Posted on by Brad Hill

Streaming music platform Tidal, founded by music artists and now majority-owned by payment processing company Block Inc., has launched royalty tracking features for artists whose music is represented on the platform. The focus is songwriters, one part of the composer/performer duality which makes music royalties so complex. Click for details. Continue Reading →

Podcast Movement 2024 launches with advice, inspiration, and celebrity keynotes

Posted on by Brad Hill

The annual four-day Podcast Movement conference lifted off on Tuesday with an ambitious program of over 60 presentations, panel discussions, and interviews. Alongside those knowledge sessions, many featuring well-recognized podcast personalities, a vibrant exhibitor space held elaborate booths and mini-meeting spaces. Three keynote presentations opened the event in distinct ways. Continue Reading →

New UMG / Meta apact allows use of music across 6 social platforms

Posted on by Brad Hill

In a noisy announcement that can be celebrated by musicians, many social media users, a major label, and a major internet company, Universal Music Group and Meta have reached a new licensing agreement. The thrust is that social media users across Meta’s immense social platform reach will be able to use UMG-published music without repercussion to them, or to Meta. The agreement builds on an earlier (2017) accord.
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