In a new eMarketer report, US Time Spent with Media 2021 Update, the company states that time spent on digital audio listening grew 8.3% in 2020. Projecting to this year, eMarketer expects a further time-spent gain of 4.8%. The time-spent gap between digital media and “traditional” media is widening over several years. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio is announcing the launch of iHeart 3D Audio, using binaural recording and production techniques. The company will debut a new slate of podcasts in this new category of experiential media — Aaron Mahnke will be involved in that effort. Bonus episodes of The Ron Burgundy Podcast will also be created in 3D mode. Click through for a link to a demo reel. Continue Reading
The buzz and activity surrounding Clubhouse, a new audio social app for chatting and meetings, indicate an appetite for social audio experiences. Reports are swirling about a looming, well-funded competitor called Fireside, reportedly co-founded by Mark Cuban. Click through for what we know now, and perspective on a growing category. Continue Reading
Jottings of note:
NASA podcasts relaunch … their logos
“Surprise! NASA’s podcast portfolio has a brand new look,” says Kate Atkinson, NASA’s podcast producer. We don’t see podcast art celebrations often. This one is well deserved.
Apple seeks head of international podcasts
Apple is engaged in a major recruiting effort for Head of International, Apple Podcasts. The company is seeking “Significant and relevant international management experience in the Podcast industry.”
Big growth of spanish and Portguese podcasts: Spotify
On Spotify, the number of podcasts in Spanish and Portuguese has grown more than 400%. That from Raúl Rivera, Spotify Sales Director for South America.
— Tuesday, February 9 Continue Reading
Following a tradition of weekly radio addresses started by Franklin D. Roosevelt, revivied by Reagan, and carried forward in different forms by other chief executives, President Biden has launched a weekly communication series. It won’t be on the radio, though — a White House spokesperson told Engadget that Biden’s weekly chat with Americans will be “where people are.” (That has to feel insulting to radio, especially considering radio’s 93% reach.) So … what is this thing? Continue Reading
Chartable released its latest podcast report which details 2020 measurements and makes a few general predictions for 2021. Overall, the data and tone of the report are bullish. Click through for details, graphics, and a (free) link to the report. Continue Reading
Wondery founder Hernan Lopez announced that Apple TV+ is set to produce We Crashed, an adaptation of Wondery’s podcast WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork. The limited run series will star Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway. It will be produced by Apple Studios. Continue Reading
Podcast Radio, the UK DAB+ venture which programs podcasts 24/7, has notified us of a new and original fiction podcast starring former BBC announcer Patrick Muirhead. The show is described as “a series of fictional mystery stories set in the remote tropical island paradise of Seychelles where [Muirhead] now lives.” It is the second original podcast produced by Podcast Radio. Continue Reading
by Steve Goldstein
In this guest column, Steve Goldstein lists major sponsors of Tom Brady’s first Super Bowl in 2002. “Great brands and shows iterate to stay relevant,” Goldstein says, and that’s how this fun and interesting column relates to podcasting.
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Jottings of note:
Financial literacy podcast Earn Your Leisure joins the Black Effect Podcast Network
The podcast, which has amassed more than five million downloads, applies an in-depth lens on the role money plays in sports, entertainment, and business.
Deezer recognized Black History Month with specialized content
The global streaming platform launched Deezer Black History Month Sessions featuring all original music recordings. Also, highlighting 26 original podcasts featuring black hosts and/or guests.
Podcaster Pence
Hardly a President, VP, or First Spouse who isn’t getting into the game. Today we hear the recently unemployed Mike Pence will launch a video podcast to “share the good news of conservatism.” He will collaborate with the Young America’s Foundation.
— Monday, February 8 Continue Reading
Nielsen has sent around a notice of “a trio of agencies” that have subscribed to the Nielsen Podcast Buying Power Service. They are Active International, Ad Results Media, and Oxford Road. Nielsen’s service offers insights spanning 18 genres that can be cross-referenced against a massive category of consumer purchase behavior patterns and services usage. The extensive Scarborough category database is leveraged in the service. Continue Reading
“2020 was the year none of us could have imagined,” New York Times CEO Meredith Kopit Levien said, and noted “an unending hunger for relief from it all.” Some business relief came from the NYT’s podcast performance — that unit delivered $36M in revenue, up from $7M in 2019. “”We expect podcast revenue growth to be strong into 2021,” she predicted. Click through for much more. Continue Reading