“Really pleased with Stitcher”: SiriusXM earnings focus on podcasting as car chip shortages shape 2022 expectations

Posted on by Brad Hill

“We’re really pleased with Stitcher where we’re at right now,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer. He and his  executive colleagues bragged about Stitcher’s shows and the placements on “best of” lists in the past year. Additionally, the call noted a synergy of content, marketing, and sales which, Greenstein said, would attract new podcasting talent to Stitcher. Click for more, including an interesting bit about semiconductor shortages. Continue Reading →

Edison’s Top 50 U.S. Podcasts 2021: All podcasts eligible; Joe Rogan is #1; and now you can sort it

Posted on by Brad Hill

Edison Research has released its always-interesting Top Podcasts list, this one for all of 2021. (See the bottom of this post.) The Joe Rogan Experience is atop the list, followed by The Daily at #2. Edison’s reckoning of top podcasts is importantly different from Podtrac, Triton Digital, and other machine-based measurements, because no podcast is excluded. Click through for the list, and a link to a nifty interactive version of it. Continue Reading →

Canadians, Americans, (and YouTube users) have differing reactions to the Rogan-Spotify controversy

Posted on by Brad Hill

Leaping into the moment, Canadian research firm Signal Hill Insights has produced a survey study of consumer reaction to the controversy swirling around Spotify’s distribution ownership of The Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan’s wide-ranging interview show is possibly the most successful podcast in the world. Signal Hill dashed into the field for survey work on February 2 and 3. One fulcrum of opinion lies on the American-Canadian border. Click for findings. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: The end of open, as audio goes exclusive

Posted on by James Cridland

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, James laments two business moves that restrict access to audio. The BBC will “window” some of its podcasts into the BBC Sounds app — a maneuver which James calls “another disappointing move from a broadcaster that should be widening its potential audience, not limiting it.” Also, Bauer Media plans to remove its radio stations from TuneIn. Other media groups in Europe don’t escape James’s withering gaze. But later, the BBC is redeemed with an audio piece which is “sublimely excellent.” And much more in this generous column.
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“You’re Wrong About” wins iHeartRadio Podcast of the Year

Posted on by Brad Hill

In the beautifully produced (virtual only) iHeartRadio Podcast Awards, You’re Wrong About won the Podcast of the Year prize. It is produced by journalist Sarah Marshall, who partners with guests to reconsider a person or event that’s been miscast in the public imagination. Click for competing nominees with their publishers and number of episodes. Also a link to catch-up watch. Continue Reading →