RAIN Notes: Monday, September 11
iHeartPodcasts tops Podtrac (again), plus RAIN Remix
In the Top Podcast Publishers ranking in August from Podtrac, leading networks iHeartPodcasts, Wondery, and NPR take the top three spots based on the ranker’s native sorting. But things get shaken up in the RAIN Remix, which resorts the Podtrac data to show audience and downloads per active show. Click for details and graphics. Continue Reading
NPR adjusts to revenue realities with flat budget projections for -23/24
In the wake of whiplash change, calm fiscal waters appear to prevail at NPR. In a presentation of the public radio giant’s topline finances for fiscal 2022-2024, a small drop of 2.4% is projected for 2023. (The 023 fiscal year… Continue Reading
Podcast ad rates continue to dip in August (Libsyn/AdvertiseCast)
The average cost per thousand (CPM) for podcast ads moved slightly downward in July, across most measures of audience size, and the average of them. This according to AdvertiseCast’s monthly tracker, where average CPM for all audience size buckets (1,000 to 100,000+) settled in at $22.24. Click through for the long trend chart. Continue Reading
Podcast launches continue to decline — new low in August
We see a continuing five-month trend manifesting in the monthly podcast metrics published by Listen Notes. As was the case last month August’s new podcast launches dropped, to just over 11,000 new shows from the previous month (13,521), showing the lowest new-show production in a year. Click for more info and graphs. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Thursday, September 7
— Degrees (Kevin Bacon)
— End of a [Short] Era (NPR)
— Truly Artist Centric (Mark Mulligan)
Luminary opens select podcasts from walled garden; signs with Acast for distro & sales
Today we learn of a strategic partnership that brings podcast network Luminary together with global podcast platform Acast. Six Luminary exclusives will leave the walled garden for Acast’s open platform. Additionally, Acast will serve as Luminary’s monetization agent for those… Continue Reading
ABC signs Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast to rep podcast ads
ABC Audio announced today an exclusive, multiyear podcast advertising deal with Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast. Ad buying and management platform AdvertiseCast will handle ad sales across ABC Audio’s entire portfolio in this exclusive deal. That includes productions in the ABC/Walt Disney Group partnership. Continue Reading
Industry first: UMG changes royalty terms with Deezer — to favor artists
In an unprecedented shift in how streaming music royalties are assessed, Universal Music Group (UMG) has reached agreement with Paris-based global streaming service Deezer. It is an artist-centric model which scales payouts upward in an attempt to reward musicians who are most favored by fans. Click for the details. Continue Reading
“It’s happening now.” Nielsen rocked by layoffs
New York-based audience measurement company Nielsen is undergoing a round of layoffs today, reportedly dismissing nine percent of its 15,000 employees. The action was presaged internally, as Nielsen employees shared apprehensions and reported today’s event on a public message board. Continue Reading
Dr. Seuss enters podcasting with Wondery
Dr. Seuss Enterprises, owner of the epochal children’s books, is partnering with Wondery to enter podcasting. Rather than make literal audio dramas of the books, the approach of this partnership appears to create original content in audio. It drops September 18 and is an exclusive presentation; only Wondery+ users will gain access. Lots more details here. Continue Reading
Midnight Meditators? Dreamland Distractors? A tale of two podcast ad targets
Here’s what we’re learning from global podcast company Acast: People who fall asleep listening to podcasts can be sorted into two groups. Both groups take longer to fall asleep than non-listening people. Bedtime listeners are less likely to skip ads… Continue Reading