RAIN Notes: Thursday, July 22
Jottings of Note
— Psychic Prowess? (Jason Brownlee)
— Toutes les Felicitations (AdsWizz)
— New Leash on Life (Gary Reisman)
Corus Entertainment’s “Curiouscast Podcast Hour” extends shows to radio distribution
Canadian media company Corus has started distributing its podcast content to radio, via “The Curiouscast Podcast Hour.” The shows are heard weekly on seven Corus radio stations, hosted by Chris “Dunner” Duncombe, director of Streaming and Podcasting. Click for stations and broadcast times. Continue Reading
NBC Olympics piles into podcasting, creating Apple Podcasts channel
As the beleaguered Tokyo Olympics get underway this week, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday, NBC Olympics is promoting its range of Olympics podcasts. The network’s emphasis is on its Apple Podcasts channel, where the shows are grouped. Click for details. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio developing Alexa-powered song requests, dedications, and DJ Q&As for radio
iHeartRadio is developing new Amazon Alexa skills for listeners to communicate with on-air radio studios — requests, dedications, and Q&A chats with DJs. Testing is in progress. There’s a video explainer. Continue Reading
BetterHelp top podcast advertiser in June; three newcomers in top 15 (Magellan AI)
Online therapy service BetterHelp topped Magellan AI’s monthly list of top advertisers of June. BetterHelp was the biggest spender the previous two months as well, and we compare April, May, and June lists with a graphic illustrating unique appearances. ALSO: a fantastic animated visualization of the top podcast spenders over 12 months — must see. Continue Reading
Crooked Media signs with Acast to market its shows to international advertisers
Crooked Media, the network home of Pod Save America and over 20 other podcasts, has entered a partnership with Acast to unlock international advertising. The deal announcement is focused on Acast’s English-speaking markets: Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Continue Reading
Gastropod partners with Vox Media’s Eater for sales, marketing, distribution, and future development
In a landmark piece of bizdev for popular podcast Gastropod, the show is tying up with Eater, a Vox Media property. The Eater/Vox promotion and sales machinery will handle Gastropod‘s marketing, ad sales, and distribution. The announcement also promises “editorial collaborations and extensions.” It is not an acquisition; Gastropod remains independently owned. Continue Reading
IAB Podcast Upfront Fall to complement the spring event, with new research report
Last December the IAB announced that the annual Podcast Upfront showcase to advertisers was shifting to a spring event, to place it closer to the Video Upfronts. That rescheduled event did take place (virtually) in May, but now the IAB announces a fall podcast event as well, on September 9-10, timed with a new research report. Click through for details and confirmed presenters. Continue Reading
Audioboom Q2 earnings: Record revenue and “strong impact on the industry”
Global podcast company Audioboom released its Q2 earnings this morning (London Stock Exchange), documenting record high revenue and a bit of profit (using adjusted EBITDA) — the first reported profit for the company. Click through for financials and comments from CEO Stuart Last. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Monday, July 19
Jottings of Note
— New Horizons (James O. Boggs)
— Mapping Radio’s Place (NuVoodoo)
— Bereavement (Mat George)
UK Parliamentary committee calls for new regulation of music streaming rates for musicians: “A complete reset”
A 97-paragraph UK Parliamentary committee has issued a dense report which analyzes the British music streaming industry, educating lawmakers about how it works and recommending a “complete reset.” Two main thrusts: Criticism of labels, and recommendation of collective licensing as in the U.S. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: The future of radio in Africa; and more stations in Belgium
by James Cridland
James Cridland returns with a richly informative newsletter about radio around the world. In this edition: Radiodays Africa, DAB+ in Belgium, dutch-language music, BBC podcasting, and much more. Continue Reading