Comprehensive coverage of the podcasting industry and its business ecosystem.
iHeartRadio has formed a partnership with Barbara Corcoran, one of the regular “sharks” in the reality startup show Shark Tank, to launch the Business Unusual podcast hosted by Corcoran, sponsored by Dell Small Business. It is a monologue format in which the real estate mogul delivers a business lesson (or two) in what is promoted as a “snackable” five-minute show. Continue Reading
Podcast content and advertising company Midroll Media harvested $11-million in first-quarter revenue, according to the Q1 earnings call for parent company Scripps. How that haul filtered down to the bottom line was undisclosed in the call. Continue Reading
Carrie Lieberman has joined iHeartMedia as vice president of podcast revenue strategy. In this role, she’ll be responsible for expanding the podcast portfolio, increasing revenue, and strategic partnerships. She joins the company after two years as the director of content distribution, licensing & business development at First Look Media. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: James expounds on the potential for niche radio stations to land wins by tight targeting of listeners. Continue Reading
NPR, WNYC Studios, WBEZ Chicago, and This American Life have joined forces to acquire podcasting app Pocket Casts. Owen Grover, formerly executive vice president and general manager of iHeartRadio, will join Pocket Casts as its new CEO. Continue Reading
Cadence13 and Nielsen have released a research report titled The Purchasing Power of Podcast Listeners, the first in a series that will examine the behaviors and trends within this audience. The first report explores listeners of shows about sports, society & culture, and television & movies and their spending habits in the consumer packaged good categories of snacks, carbonated beverages, and beauty products. Continue Reading
The New York Times has hired Amanda McCartney as director of audio and podcasts. In this newly created position, McCartney will be responsible for selling the Times’ podcasts in collaboration with the publisher’s advertising team and working with direct-response podcast agencies. Continue Reading
Disney is taking the plunge into podcasting. During its NewFront presentation in New York City, the entertainment giant has announced that the Disney Digital Network will release at least one podcast this year. Continue Reading
audioBoom is contributing to “Better Hearing Month” (May) by launching the Listen-In Campaign in collaboration with the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Starkey provides hearing aids and healthcare to people with hearing impairment in 100 countries. The podcast company has enlisted at least 16 podcasts it represents to participate in the fundraising. Continue Reading
Gimlet Media is hosting a contest to find a new, original voice to be the next big podcast host. The company is partnering with perennial podcast advertiser Squarespace for the competition. The duo is encouraging applicants who have perspectives outside what has become mainstream for podcasting. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio is releasing a daily news podcast, joining a niche space in audio that is becoming more popular with listeners and publishers. The Daily Dive will have new 15 minute episodes every weekday at 6 a.m. Eastern. iHeartMedia producer, writer, and editor Oscar Ramirez will host the program. Continue Reading
The BBC has entered a deal with Sweden-based podcast company Acast. Under this partnership, Acast will be the official partner for commercialization of BBC podcasts and audio outside of the UK. The deal is a joint initiative between the BBC World Service and BBC Radio & Education. Continue Reading