Comprehensive coverage of the podcasting industry and its business ecosystem.
Audio technology company Audioburst and Blubrry, a podcast hosting and statistics specialist, have entered a partnership. Under the terms of their deal, new and current Blubrry users can opt in to have access to Audioburst’s set of tools for creators. Continue Reading
Spotify is continuing its spree of podcast acquisition with the purchase of Parcast, its third buy of 2019. The deal will bring Parcast’s podcast library to Spotify, as well as its ability to attract audiences and its existing listener base. Continue Reading
We reported yesterday that the BBC blocked Google Podcasts’ access to BBC podcasts, so they cannot be represented in the Google Podcasts app. That block extends to playing BBC podcasts in Google Search results, via the native audio that Google has built there. The BBC declined to comment in response to our inquiry yesterday, but this morning an explanatory blog post appeared that lays out the BBC’s rationale. Continue Reading
Voxnest’s Spreaker platform is partnering with language-learning platform Babbel for its first foray into podcasting in the U.S. Multilinguish will explore how language connects people, with a different theme for each episode. New episodes will be published on Tuesdays. Continue Reading
Gimlet Media’s production staff announced plans to unionize with the Writers Guild of America, East two weeks ago. However, the team’s efforts may not have an easy or straightforward path to success. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: BBC is blocking its podcasts on Google platforms. Much audio news ahead of Radiodays Europe. Continue Reading
The BBC has blocked its podcasts on platforms operated by Google. The block stretches to prevent access to BBC shows through the new Google Podcasts app, via Google Assistant, and from Google search. The move to restrict access began last week, according to Podnews. Continue Reading
Wheeler Morris was named Manager of Corporate Podcasting Strategy at Hubbard Radio, which notes that Hubbard produces over 150 podcasts with a reach of 500,000 listeners per month. Continue Reading
Anchor is continuing to launch new features following its acquisition by Spotify. Last week, the do-it-yourself podcasting platform announced a new analytics suite. Today, the features are being added to Anchor’s mobile apps. Continue Reading
Podcast company Acast is rolled out in France. Yann Thébault, a former Spotify director, has joined Acast to lead the French operations. Acast France will focus on support for independent podcasters and publishers, work with media groups and brands, and further development of the domestic podcast market. Continue Reading
Thanks to Podnews.net we learned that Google Podcasts now has a web-app presence in addition to its fuller-featured Android app. The experience is rudimentary for sure, but the experience does offer podcast playback in Google’s customary clean format. Continue Reading
In Monday’s Q4 earnings call hosted by Cumulus Media, CEO Mary Berner noted that the company podcasting effort, organized in the Westwood One Podcast Network, earned topline revenue of $12-million in 2018. Click through for the chief executive’s remarks. Continue Reading