Early-stage startup Marbyl promises “inside-out” podcast discovery via AI

Marbyl, a nascent podcast discovery solution created by audio startup Tree Goat Media, seeks to solve a particular problem: Topics people want are buried inside of long listening experiences. The AI-powered app promises to surface and socialize topics within podcast conversations, broadening audiences and facilitating surprising new discoveries. Click through for much more about how it works, illustrations, and how the founders plan to monetize. Continue Reading

Head gestures: A soon-to-be interactive audio ad format?

If reaching for the screen is too much for advertisers to ask of streaming audio listeners, voice-response ad technology is available. If saying “yes” or “no” is a bridge too far, how about ads which respond to a nod or headshake? That’s the premise of Head Nod Detection, a new piece of ad tech from podcast analytics company Backtracks. Continue Reading

Frequency Podcast Network unveils fall 2021 slate: 9 new shows

Toronto-based Frequency Podcast Network, owned by Rogers Radio, has released a slate of new and returning 2021 podcasts for fall release. The schedule includes nine shows. 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

Spotify offers subscription publishing to all U.S. podcasters, in direct competition with Apple

Bringing an end to a testing period begun in April, Spotify now allows any U.S. podcaster to offer a subscription feed to listeners. It’s the latest benchmark in a growing trend of pay-to-listen in podcasting, where consumers can buy into a monthly fee for membership benefits that include ad-free listening, bonus exclusive episodes, and other attractions. Click for details. Continue Reading

Second annual The Next Great Podcast contest launches from iHeartRadio and Dan Patrick

Part incubator and part contest, The Next Great Podcast is beginning its second annual installation, produced by renowned sports journalist Dan Patrick with iHeartRadio. The end product will be a newly launched podcast with all the advantages of major network backing. Last year’s winner just launched this month — it is original and entertaining. Click for all the details. Continue Reading