Podation, providing “Pay per Listen” monetization to podcasters, readies for launch

A new venture, Podation, is readying for launch. Podation provides “Pay Per Listen” monetization to podcasters. The idea here is to lure the long tail of podcasters away from automated podcast advertising as a business model. Instead, Podcation offers a way to carve out selected content that users pay to hear. Podation provides the presentation and transaction tools.
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New CRB royalty period approaches, but with a potential delay

If time seems to fly, consider this: A new five-year royalty period (2021-2025) for statutory payments from music streaming services to recorded music owners is approaching. The royalty period and the legal process which precedes it are nicknamed “Web V,” as it will be the fifth such royalty period regulated by the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board. There might be a delay. Two pieces of news have just been posted in a new Order from the CRB. Continue Reading

BBC rebrands its production division and launches a podcast unit

The British public broadcaster has rebranded its production division, formerly BBC Radio & Music Production, which relaunched today as BBC Audio. This is part of a widespread de-platforming of radio and broader reconceptualization as audio. Four people staff the new unit, headed by Clare McGinn, previously Head of Production for BBC Radio 4 in Bristol. McGinn is a career BBC’er. Continue Reading

From smart speaker to smart mouse: Xiao Ai

There’s not reason why a smart speaker must comply with the traditional stand-alone, single-function design which has made voice assistants famous. Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has crowdfunded its way to releasing the Xiao Ai mouse, a smart peripheral does performs all normal mouse-like duties, and is equipped with a microphone and speaker. And smarts. Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: iHeart’s podcast campaign; Iain Lee’s contract; Edison’s research

by James Cridland

A weekly column from the preeminent Radio Futurologist. THIS WEEK: How the BBC produced during coronavirus. How is Beats 1 doing? Ten best music radio stations. Radio recovery. Podcast promoter chat. And much more! Continue Reading

Google Podcasts creator program begins new year of accelerator training and funding

PRX, Google’s partner in the Google Podcasts creator program, is announcing a new year of the accelerator, training, and funding program that was first formed in October, 2018. The program’s mission is to provide a global audio community with open resources, empower underrepresented voices, and showcase new work. The 2020 focus differs from 2019. Continue Reading