Comprehensive coverage of the podcasting industry and its business ecosystem.
by Jeff Umbro
In this week’s column, Podglomerate CEO Jeff Umbro provides news and commentary about Joe Rogan, Overcast’s new alerts, Apple Watch, and a link to a great article on podcast journalism. Continue Reading
The IAB Podcast Upfront 2020 expanded during this COVID-limited year to three days, from its traditional one-day theater show. So, thinking about it, not so much COVID-limited and COVID-enhanced. The trade-off? Sacrificing in-person networking for an expanded slate, many more personalities, and a quicker-moving experience. Will Ferrell had the best laugh of the day. Continue Reading
In a blast of information preceding its appearance Friday at the IAB Podcast Upfront 2020, Podtrac/Authentic sent us a ream of data and new show deals. CEO Mark McCrery is scheduled to speak at the IAB Podcast Upfront on Friday. Podtrac data indicate that podcast lilsteneing has rebounded from Covid, and that Spotify is chasing Apple hard in audience reach for podcasting. Apple still easily wins in number of downloads. Click through for much more details. Continue Reading
In what it calls a historic joint venture, iHeartMedia is announcing a partnership with Charlamagne Tha God to create The Black Effect network. This alliance and initiative are clearly well developed at launch, with 18 shows in the pipeline for undated launches. In addition, Charlamagne’s nationally syndicated radio show, The Breakfast Club, will bring its replay podcast to The Black Effect Podcast Network as its flagship show, effective immediately. Click through for the list of launch shows, and quotes. Continue Reading
Announced at today’s IAB Podcast Upfront (Day 1), NPR is changing Consider This into a localized news podcast serving 10 regions. will hear a version of Consider This with reporting on their community from their community, alongside a national view from NPR. NPR notes that this program is unique to podcasting, and made possible by public radio’s shared journalism and digital networks. Delivering the right localized show to each listener is accomplished by AdsWizz and Nielsen. Continue Reading
Podtrac released a Weekly Podcast Data report, showing year-over-year and week-over-week charts of weekly download data. The reporting period is August 31 to September 6. The week-over-week download report for all podcast categories is minus 4%. But looking at a year-over-year view, from 9/2/2019 to 9/6/2020, shows a 52% rise in downloads. Click through for charts and more details. Continue Reading
Toronto-based Frequency Podcast Network, owned by Rogers Radio, has released a slate of new podcasts for fall release. The schedule includes seven shows (see below). Frequency was created by Rogers in mid-2018, with a single show: The Big Story, a daily show breaking down a single news story. Click through for show descriptions. Continue Reading
by Steve Goldstein
Podcast success charts have multiplied, and it’s understandable if your confusion has multiplied along with them. Steve Goldstein is undaunted, as he accepts the challenge of untangling who is measuring what, and explaining why the competing rankers (there are at least eight of them) differ. An illuminating column. Continue Reading
In a new release schedule, Podtrac is distributing the Top Podcasts and Top Podcast Publishers rankers simultaneously today. In the Top Podcasts list, we see a general month-over-month stability. Among top podcast publishers, NPR and iHeartRadio continued their 1/2 dance with NPR taking the #1 slot this month by a sliver. Tap through for complete details. Continue Reading
Pod Drop features new and returning podcasts. Today — new immersive SciFi, a heralded return of a beloved show, and (mostly) SFW sex adventures. Click through for details and audio trailers. Continue Reading
Signal Hill Insights President Jeff Vidler contributes this very interesting column about Apple’s interesting movement toward traditional radio. “It’s interesting that Apple’s latest foray into audio is a doubling down on the old school notion of human-hosted, human-curated radio.” What does it mean for broadcast radio, if anything? Jeff does some blue-sky thinking. Continue Reading
Patreon, the patronage crowdfunding platform, is now valued over $1-billion, the threshold for “unicorn” status — a popular venture-capital term for companies which stand at a pinnacle in their niches. The milestone is publicized in the wake of a recent fundraising round which yielded $100-million based on a valuation of $1.2-billion. Click through for examples of high podcast earners in podcasting. Continue Reading