New from Podtrac: Podcasting rebounds, and Apple grows distribution lead … sort of

In a blast of information preceding its appearance Friday at the IAB Podcast Upfront 2020, Podtrac/Authentic sent us a ream of data and new show deals. CEO Mark McCrery is scheduled to speak at the IAB Podcast Upfront on Friday. Podtrac data indicate that podcast lilsteneing has rebounded from Covid, and that Spotify is chasing Apple hard in audience reach for podcasting. Apple still easily wins in number of downloads. Click through for much more details. Continue Reading

iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God launch The Black Effect podcast network

In what it calls a historic joint venture, iHeartMedia is announcing a partnership with Charlamagne Tha God to create The Black Effect network. This alliance and initiative are clearly well developed at launch, with 18 shows in the pipeline for undated launches. In addition, Charlamagne’s nationally syndicated radio show, The Breakfast Club, will bring its replay podcast to The Black Effect Podcast Network as its flagship show, effective immediately. Click through for the list of launch shows, and quotes. Continue Reading

NPR leverages member stations to make “Consider This” a localized news podcast

Announced at today’s IAB Podcast Upfront (Day 1), NPR is changing Consider This into a localized news podcast serving 10 regions. will hear a version of Consider This with reporting on their community from their community, alongside a national view from NPR. NPR notes that this program is unique to podcasting, and made possible by public radio’s shared journalism and digital networks. Delivering the right localized show to each listener is accomplished by AdsWizz and Nielsen. Continue Reading

Podtrac weekly update: Listening +52% in a year — News, Business, True Crime big gainers

Podtrac released a Weekly Podcast Data report, showing year-over-year and week-over-week charts of weekly download data. The reporting period is August 31 to September 6. The week-over-week download report for all podcast categories is minus 4%. But looking at a year-over-year view, from 9/2/2019 to 9/6/2020, shows a 52% rise in downloads. Click through for charts and more details. Continue Reading

Frequency Podcast Network unveils fall releases

Toronto-based Frequency Podcast Network, owned by Rogers Radio, has released a slate of new podcasts for fall release. The schedule includes seven shows (see below). Frequency was created by Rogers in mid-2018, with a single show: The Big Story, a daily show breaking down a single news story. Click through for show descriptions. Continue Reading

Pandora is part of SiriusXM’s NFL 2020 coverage plan, and sponsor pitch

Continuing the cross-channel programming and monetization which has been part of the SiriusXM/Pandora merger from the start, a pR is circulating today which advertises the sponsorship opportunities around the upcoming NFL 2020 season, which will be assertively covered by both platforms. Pandora will carry some curated analysis originating on the SiriusXM NFL Channel, and also program game-time music playlists. Continue Reading

Steve Goldstein: Chartapalooza — Why Every Podcast Chart Is So Different

by Steve Goldstein
Podcast success charts have multiplied, and it’s understandable if your confusion has multiplied along with them. Steve Goldstein is undaunted, as he accepts the challenge of untangling who is measuring what, and explaining why the competing rankers (there are at least eight of them) differ. An illuminating column. Continue Reading

NPR top publisher, “The Daily” top podcast in Podtrac August rankers

In a new release schedule, Podtrac is distributing the Top Podcasts and Top Podcast Publishers rankers simultaneously today. In the Top Podcasts list, we see a general month-over-month stability. Among top podcast publishers, NPR and iHeartRadio continued their 1/2 dance with NPR taking the #1 slot this month by a sliver. Tap through for complete details. Continue Reading

Advertiser podcast interest up 2.5x over five years; intention up 4x; Westwood One study

Westwood One has released its fifth annual podcast advertising study, in collaboration with Advertiser Perceptions. This report is synced with the IAB Podcast Upfront, also in its fifth year. One key takeaway is that advertiser interest in podcasts, and intent to buy, have grown by multiples since 2015. Click through for details, numbers, links, and charts. Continue Reading