RAIN Notes: Thursday, August 17
News
Spotify tops Edison podcast network ranker (Q2)
Edison Research released the Q2 edition of its U.S. Top Podcast Networks ranker. It sorts the 10-position list by reach of each network’s shows. Unlike server-side rankers which measure downloads, Edison’s output is based on thousands of survey interviews. Continue Reading
SoundExchange sues Sirius XM (again) for misrepresentation and underpayment of music royalties
SoundExchange, the U.S. government-appointed organization assigned to collect royalties for the use of music in internet streaming, has sued Sirius XM. The charge is misrepresentation and underpayment of royalties in Sirius’ internet streaming service. Sirius vigorously denies any wrongdoing in its accounting. It’s an echo of a 2018 confrontation. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Tuesday, August 15
— Podcast Finances (Libsyn)
— Groundbreaking + New Heights (Interview Valet)
— Upshift (Sirius XM)
Descript podcast editor acquires SquadCast recording platform
Descript, the text-based audio editing platform, has acquired SquadCast, the cloud-based conversation recording system. As of today, SquadCast becomes a free-to-use component of Descript. Descript describes the acquisition as making a “complete stack.” Continue Reading
Bridge Media Networks invests in media which has “forgotten” the basics
Bridge Media Networks, an investment company owned by 5-hour ENERGY founder Manoj Bhargava, has announced widespread investment in major media companies across the categories of magazine, TV, and radio. Two major radio groups are part of it. Dollar amounts are not mentioned. Continue Reading
Startup turns any webpage into a podcast, accelerating an AI trend
At a time when AI is facilitating content creation in audio and other media categories, an ingenious new startup called PodStash reduces creative friction to practically zero. Not a creative tool for turning original content into audio, the key purpose is to turn any Internet text page into audio. (Wikipedia is a good example.) We dig in, and chat with the founder. Continue Reading
Audience drop & revenue gain: Pew Research Public Broadcasting Fact Sheet
Pew Research released its annual Public Broadcasting Fact Sheet, offering data glimpses into key listening and finance metrics. We excerpt highlights, including reach, revenue, and app use. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Friday, August 11
— Podcast Finances (Libsyn)
— Groundbreaking + New Heights (Interview Valet)
— Upshift (Sirius XM)
Shifting Share of Ear: A nine-year comparison of radio and podcasts
Edison Research has been operating its landmark Share of Ear Study for nine years. The full service is for subscribers, but Edison releases a summary graphic with each iteration of the survey. Looking back at the first release, and comparing it to the most recent (Q2 2023), reveals dramatic tidal shifts in time spent listening to different audio categories among American adults and teens. Click for revelations. Continue Reading
CoHost/Quill launches Advanced Audio Demographics, adding interests, hobbies, social habits
Podcast analytics and audience insights platform CoHost is announcing a new slate of demographics that includes listener interests, hobbies, and social media habits (and pets!) in addition to standard age/gender/income identifiers. Click for details. Continue Reading
US Court rejects all appeals of Copyright Royalty Board ruling, ending two-year appeal of streaming royalties
It took more than two years: Webcasting music royalties are finalized for the 2021-2025 period. David Oxenford’s Broadcast Law Blog. The every-five-year royalty setting process has been controversial in the past, and is always a battle of music owners vs. the streaming platforms which license music. Click for the details, and a link to David Oxenford’s full coverage. Continue Reading