Spotify: Emphasis on podcasting, “top platform,” more earnings info

In yesterday’s initial coverage of Spotify’s Q3 earnings report, we noted that the word “podcast” was used 17 times in the company’s official release, while the word “music” was used 10 times. In the hour-long earnings call, the emphasis was even more on podcasting, which was mentioned 48 times, while “music” was spoken a mere eight times. Hence the emphasis on podcasting as a business priority in the global leading streaming audio platform. Click a lot of info and quotes. Continue Reading

Steve Goldstein: Are Local Podcasts the Next Opportunity? The Forecast with Local Media Authority Gordon Borrell

by Steve Goldstein In this guest column, Steve conducts a fascinating (and very frank) interview with Gordon Borrell of Borrell Associates. It’s crystal ball time, and Borrell has no sugar coating. “Linear broadcasters or publishers really should be looking at 2031. There is clear data to project what ten years from now will look like… and it does not look good.” This is really about the growth, belated and necessary, of local news coverage in the podcast category. It’s a “massive opportunity” in this conversation. A must-read.
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Cirrus Streaming introduces complete podcasting toolkit; special features for broadcasters

Cirrus Streaming, which provides many kinds of enterprise streaming services from cloud streaming to Alexa service, has built and released a comprehensive podcasting solution. The single-dashboard solution suite includes hosting, editing, monetization, and distribution. There are special instant-podcast tools for broadcasters.
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Investor note bullish on podcast & streaming as “catalyst” for leading radio groups

Equity research analyst at B. Riley Securities, Daniel Day, projected growth metrics for the second half of this year, and 2022, for three top radio groups — iHeartMedia, Audacy, and Cumulus Media. His “robust growth estimates” for digital revenue are his most bullish outlooks, with a particular focus on podcasting. Click for details. Continue Reading