Audacy Q1: Upbeat results from accelerating digital revenue
Audio giant Audacy released Q1 earnings, characterized by CEO David Field as “a solid start to 2024.” Audacy’s financial positioning is complicated by a recent bankruptcy, but the company is moving smoothly through that financial reorganization process with uplifting net… Continue Reading
Jon Stewart enters the podcast-first realm
Comedian and political satirist Jon Stewart will extend his relationship at Comedy Central with a new weekly podcast: The Weekly Show With Jon Stewart. The program compliments his iconic The Daily Show With Jon Stewart. The announcement comes from MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Audio. Continue Reading
New podcast production continues 2024 slide; episode volume remains strong
New podcast production continued a three-month slide in April, after a strong January. 12,864 new shows were released in April, compared to 16,256 in March. January hit a one-year high of slightly more than 20,000 new podcasts. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Wednesday, May 8
— Full Spectrum (Libsyn)
— Exciting Audio Moments (iHeartMedia)
— The Biggest (Inside Radio)
Wondery opens Ad Analytics, a multi-service array
Podcast and creative solutions network Wondery has opened Wondery Ad Analytics, a campaign success evaluation service which leverages multiple information and measurement services. Four areas of focus are highlighted, and an ad effectiveness funnel. Click for details and graphics. Continue Reading
Podcast ad rate stability continues; small campaigns reach new cost low. (Libsyn Ads)
The average cost per thousand (CPM) for podcast advertising in April was nearly identical to March , dipping only five cents, or two-tenths of one percent. But there is also something remarkable in this month’s report: Small campaigns reach a new low in average cost. Continue Reading
Spotify paywalls lyrics. Users recoil.
Spotify has placed a limit on free song lyrics which appear to the ad-supported, no-pay version of the app. Meant as an inducement to upgrade membership, and possibly succeeding to some extent, the shift is generating predictable upset. We review the outrage. Continue Reading
The on-hold opportunity: Veritonic measures consumer preferences
“Be thoughtful about your hold experience.” That is the guiding principle and throughline of a new study by audio analytics company Veritonic — Harmonizing Connections: How Audio Turns Waiting Time into Brand-Building Opportunities. Veritonic hits on an audio segment almost never mentioned: The music or spoken word audio that customers hear when they call a company and must wait on hold. Continue Reading
Cumulus Q1: Digital up. Total revenue down. “Considerable runway.”
Recent refinancing of debt helped Cumulus Media CEO Mary Berner describe a company with solid gains in a challenging environment. Click for details, quotes, key learnings, and stock chart. Continue Reading
SiriusXM Q1: $1.7B revenue; $993M gross profit; podcasting the star in YoY growth
Financial reports for this audio behemoth are always complex affairs. We separate the two main reporting entities, and deliver key results of the Q1 financial report. Continue Reading