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“Synthetic Stories” — an AI-generated podcast launches and makes us think of AI audiobooks.

Posted on by Brad Hill

Synthetic Stories is a new podcast, and the first podcast (as far as we know) produced entirely by Artificial Intelligence (AI). That includes the script, the sound design, the music composition, the artwork, the voice performance, and the promotional materials accompanying the release. The presentation reminds us of synthetically produced audiobooks; we check on Apple’s progress with that. All these example are persuasive … a threat to performers, and a potential cost-cutting option to producers. Continue Reading →

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NPR completes promised layoffs, discontinues four podcasts in “existential” cost reduction

Posted on by Brad Hill

A month after announcing upcoming layoffs, NPR has started and possibly completed the 10% workforce reduction. CEO John Lansing calls the action “existential.” The action is NPR’s largest layoff since 2008. Four podcasts will be discontinued. Individual and departmental targets are not specified, but it’s a broad sweep across many functions and types of work. NPM is not affected. Click for more details. Continue Reading →

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Triton Digital Canada Podcast Ranker shows four newcomers to top 100

Posted on by Brad Hill

In Triton Digital’s newly released Canada Podcast Ranker for February, we see a mostly stable list from the previous month, with just four newcomers. The list ranks by downloads. Four new entrants made the list. Click through for more details, including biggest gainer (you might suspect what it is) and biggest ranking drop. (wait, wait for it). Continue Reading →

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Podcast offers reach, youth, and differentiation: Sounds Profitable / Signal Hill

Posted on by Brad Hill

A new podcast audience study from Sounds Profitable and a cluster of sponsors was presented by co-CEO Tom Webster yesterday. Called The Medium Moves the Message, the central learnings are that podcasting’s young audience is growing, is differentiated in their listening habits, and that advertising on podcasts delivers “net new consumers.” Click through for details, slides, and key takeaways. Continue Reading →

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RIAA full-year 2022: Music subs leap upward, breaking through $10-billion U.S. revenue

Posted on by Brad Hill

“Streaming continued to account for a large majority of recorded music revenues in 2022.” Thus reports the first line in the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)’s full-year 2022 earnings report. All streaming platforms grew seven percent year-over-year, amounting to $13.3-billion. About 75% of that was subscription streaming revenue, which totalled to $10B. Click through for more, and detailed trend charts. Continue Reading →

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James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Can your presenters publish to your website?

Posted on by James Cridland

by James Cridland

In today’s guest column, James Cridland discusses difficulties with the BBC, and a strike among BBC Local Radio journalists. Then, coverage of the imminent disappearance of AM radio reception in U.S. cars — “Broadcasters relying on AM for their flagship services need to have an urgent plan to fix it.” Finally, James’s list of links. Continue Reading →

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LinkedIn Podcast Academy seeks to foster conversations with selected creators

Posted on by Brad Hill

LinkedIn, the leading social network for professionals, has launched the LinkedIn Podcast Academy. The structure of this initiative is simple — LinkedIn selected 19 business and startup podcasts created by LinkedIn members, and publicized those creator profiles. The program provides coaching, exclusive programming and LinkedIn co-branding. Aspiring podcasters can fill out a form. Continue Reading →