Westwood One has released the Spring 2024 Podcast Download report. This continuing study seeks to reveal podcast consumer profiles, preferences, and habits. Collaborators in this ongoing project are Cumulus Podcast Network and Signal Hill Insights. In our first summary dive, we present the study’s key findings — two sets of them, actually.
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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
In his latest edition of International Radio Trends, guest columnist James Cridland summarizes the Christian Music Broadcasters conference “a radio conference like no other.” — dancing before sessions, bands playing between speakers — “never such a positive and vocal audience. (And he “never felt so old, so British, so reserved.”) Then, back to a key topic lately in this column: The BBC’s plan to insert ads into podcasts. He calls it “penalising the UK public.” Plus much more from Australia and Canada. It’s not called “International” for nothing. Continue Reading
National news organizations are headlining Spotify news this morning: The international streaming giant will raise its premium subscription price. One national publication puts the pricing decision in the context of “Streaming Inflation Continues.” Spotify raised its subscription rates a year ago; before that was a 12-year stretch of stable pricing. Continue Reading
Workflow automation and audio ad management provider Frequency is partnering with Barometer, a specialist in brand suitability and contextual targeting solutions for podcasting. The key to this arrangement is combining Barometer’s Brand Suitability and Contextual Targeting to Frequency’s Audio Ad Management Platform. The companies promise that this solution gives advertisers “enhanced capabilities for curating the ideal context to reach listeners.” Click for details. Continue Reading
by Steve Goldstein
In this latest guest column from podcast consultant and public speaker Steve Goldstein, Steve grapples with the problem of too much content competing for too few eyeballs and ears. The issue was highlighted in a recent investor call by Disney CEO Bob Iger, but is what Steve calls “a really huge issue in today’s media landscape.” In podcasting, only eight percent of shows have produced a new episode in the last 30 days. Small percentage, but it’s 345,000 shows. The result? “Choice Fatigue.” Steve offers a five-point recovery plan. Essential reading for creators at all levels. Continue Reading
“The state of podcasts” — that’s the title of the newest Audioscape study from Cumulus Media. In it, we learn that podcast audience growth is “on a tear,” and podcast audience demographics are favorable to advertisers. We learn about podcast listening hot spots in the U.S., view a timeline of advertiser perceptions of podcasts, and much more. Click through for a review with graphs and download links for the deck and video. Continue Reading
Pacific Content, a leading producer of branded podcasts, will be shuttered by parent company Rogers Sports & Media. The company provided a statement which, while not providing financial or other data particulars, described a basic belt-tightening and sharpened focus. Continue Reading
A proposed bill nicknamed the No Fakes Act (Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe) seeks to recording artists and performers in all fields of entertainment from unauthorized use of their voices and likenesses. The bill states the problem… Continue Reading
Spotify’s announced discontinuation of its Car Thing interface, a dedicated device for streaming Spotify in-car, has been met by owners with disappointment, bafflement, requests, and anger. We sample the disappointment and outrage. Continue Reading
— Q&A (Sounds Profitable)
— Blatant (Billboard)
— Up North Ranking (Triton Digital)
— Starbucks P1 (Jacobs Media)
Magellan AI’s accounting of podcast advertiser spending for April, for the top 15 spenders, shows a total spend down six percent from March. Ten of the top 15 are repeats from the previous months. Three companies are members of RAIN’s unofficial 12-of-12 club. Click for graphics. Continue Reading