Thought Leaders

Interviews with, and contributions from, the most perceptive voices in the online audio industry.

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James Cridland’s Radioland – WSQK: showing how radio innovates unlike no other

Posted on by Brad Hill

by James Cridland

In this week’s column, James assesses innovation in radio. American: no innovation for 19 years. Other part of the world get kinder marks, and this iece focuses on WSQK, a globally produced station owned by, um, British network Global. Thing is, WSQK is a pop-up station that fits into the Stranger Things franchise — “a full, 24/7, six-week long radio station deep into the Stranger Things universe,” as James explains. “And everything is perfect”. James invokes real stations to listen — the writing and production are superb — and take notes. Continue Reading →

Steve Goldstein: An Open Letter to Broadcasters: Stop Leaving Listening on the Table

Posted on by Steve Goldstein

by Steve Goldstein

In his latest column, Steve frankly addresses broadcasters: “The reality is that radio is still largely behind in the shift from linear to on-demand.” Citing cumes in major markets, the conclusion is that the average listener never hears most of radio’s best moments. Podcasting can rescue that loss. Podcasting isn’t just nice to have, Steve asserts, “It’s the most effective way to recapture the listening you’re already losing and to keep your audience engaged when they’re not in the car or near a radio.” It’s all about retention. A must-read column — rigorous, bracing, and motivating. Continue Reading →

Steve Goldstein:Wondery Folds Into Audible — What It Signals About Podcasting’s Future

Posted on by Steve Goldstein

by Steve Goldstein

In his latest column, Steve uses a Q&A format to assess industry shock of Wondery folding into Amazon-owned Audible. “This move appears to be more than a corporate reshuffle,” Steve asserts, “It signals a broader strategic shift.” Good or bad for podcasting? Has Amazon lost interest? How does the future look? Do small and niche shows get left behind? One thing for sure: Podcasting is now unmistakenly a mainstream business, where strategy, structure, and ROI take the lead. A must read. Continue Reading →

Steve Goldstein:The SEO Collapse: Did Podcasts Replace Late Night?

Posted on by Steve Goldstein

by Steve Goldstein

In Steve’s latest column, a detailed and interesting analysis of an historical moment. “Stephen Colbert’s exit from The Late Show is more than a changing of the guard. It’s a flashing red signal that the entire late-night ecosystem is being upended. The space late-night TV once owned has changed rapidly, with podcasts playing a central role in that transformation.” “Podcasts aren’t just taking the mic. They’re taking the moment.” Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s Radioland – The biggest radio stations in the US

Posted on by James Cridland

by James Cridland

In this week’s exceptionally deep and thoughtful guest column, James puts a focus on the BBC Sounds media and radio app, which is scheduled to be discontinued outside of the UK today. Also covered: how BBC Sounds is performing inside the UK. (Preview: Slight gain; older listeners.) Moving on from the BBC, James reports on the biggest radio stations in the U.S., one great YouTube video, a retroactive look at “AI Ashley,” census data about radio listenership, visual advertising in radio, and James’ “universal radio” idea. Buckle in. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s Radioland – BBC Radio overseas: a new plan after BBC Sounds closes

Posted on by Brad Hill

by James Cridland

As James’s regular readers know, he has been interested in the availability of BBC Radio outside the UK. And there’s been some movement. The BBC Sounds app will be turned off for listeners outside the UK on 21 July 2025 — but there’s more to it than that. And a lot more news. Continue Reading →

Steve Goldstein:The SEO Collapse: What Podcasters Need to Do Right Now

Posted on by Steve Goldstein

by Steve Goldstein

The word “essential” has been assigned to Steve Goldstein’s column more than once. Not meaning to be hyperbolic, we think this piece is super-essential. Identifying a key change in internet usability — today’s AI-enriched search results — Steve applies consequences to podcast search and discovery, which is undergoing momentous format changes and shifting results. It is a risky sea change for podcasters. Steve provides five essential best practices from structuring the show to formatting the transcript. Did we mention the word “essential”? Continue Reading →

Mark Mulligan: Streaming is both retail and radio. It shouldn’t be

Posted on by Brad Hill

by Mark Mulligan

“The recorded music industry had two lanes: retail and radio. Piracy killed retail. Streaming killed piracy, then went on to, if not kill, then seriously maim radio. The two lanes converged into one – reverse bifurcation.” In his latest column, Mark Mulligan asks whether streaming (more exactly, supremium) can monetize fandom. Continue Reading →

Mark Mulligan: Unintended consequences – the year ahead for streaming

Posted on by Mark Mulligan

by Mark Mulligan

“Streaming may be maturing from a revenue perspective but with two-tier (‘artist centric’) licensing and supremium, 2025 is set to be a year of transformative change in both product and business terms. While each of these initiatives were designed with clear objectives, it is not so much the immediate consequences but the second order consequences that warrant most attention. As is so often the case, it is the unintended knock-on effects of actions that will likely prove to be most impactful, for both the business and culture of music. Here is what some of these may be for two-tier licensing and supremium.” Continue Reading →