In its 2020 annual finance report, UK-based podcast network and tech company Audioboom raised its revenue and improved its bottom line, both by double digits. We spoke with CEO Stuart Last via email, and dug into Audioboom’s CPM (cost per thousand) metrics for monetizing podcasts with ads. Continue Reading
Magellan has released its always interesting Top 15 monthly report, this one for February. As always, it includes two rankers: Top 15 spenders, and Top 15 movers & shakers. Click for details and the Top Spenders list. Continue Reading
A new podcast industry watchdog group has been started by Oxford Road CEO Dan Granger. Called the Media Roundtable, the mission is to mobilize marketers to support truth and civility in journalism. Podcasting is part of that overall directive, and the organization will create a podcast ranker based on most-to-least biased. Al Fontes Media, creator of a well known Media Bias Chart, is involved.
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UK-based radio and technology behemoth Global is attempting to acquire 49.9% of iHeartMedia, the largest commercial radio group in the U.S. Doing so would require exemption from U.S. government rules that regulate foreign ownership of U.S. broadcasting companies. Global is seeking that exemption now, and in doing so seems to be revealing a potential misunderstanding between the two companies. There are precedents in which the FCC has granted exemptions, but not of this scale. Continue Reading
In a deeply informative study presented by IAB Australia, decision makers and influencers in audio advertising were surveyed. The result is the 5th annual edition (called WAVE 5) of the IAB’s Audio Advertising State of the Nation. Click through for key points, graphics, and a download link. Continue Reading
“Digital audio has undoubtedly benefited from the UK lockdowns,” according to eMarketer, which has revised its projection for digital audio listening in the UK. The research company now says that digital listening will grow beyond its pre-pandemic forecast, which predicts percentage-of-population metrics through 2024. Two types of listening are documented in this forecast. Click for details and graphics. Continue Reading
Jottings of note:
— Boom Radio booms
— Late to arrive; early to leave (Apple HomePod)
— New Audible exec
— Who’s your pick? (Radio Hall of Fame) Continue Reading
In one of the most interesting podcast network ideas we’ve heard of, ART19 has collected restaurant servers, chefs, and bartenders to produce shows about the service industry. It’s called the One Star Network, and the launch marketing promises “hilarity and humanity.” Click for show rundowns. Continue Reading
Townsquare media released its Q4 earnings this morning. In a note detailing results sent to RAIN from CEO (and RAIN Summit keynote speaker) Bill Wilson, he described 2020 this way: “Although we are proud of our roots and DNA in local radio and we continue to love local radio, 2020 was the year Townsquare became a ‘Digital First’ company.” Click through for more detail, plus a table, provided by Wilson, which compares TSQ results with six other radio groups. Continue Reading
New podcasts of note.
CNN 5 Things (CNN)
Unexplainable (Vox)
The Genius Generation (TRAX from PRX)
The live-audio meeting app Clubhouse has announced the launch of a creator accelerator program with an open application program. Twenty recipients will be selected and provided with material assistance and matching with potential brand sponsors with a guarantee of at least $5,000 monthly revenue. Continue Reading
by Steve Goldstein
In this guest column, Steve Goldstein gets real about podcast creators getting their shows into the mobile devices of prospective listeners, and then actually getting played as a separate challenge. “Our smartphones are loaded with the great intentions of downloaded podcasts that are never listened to.” Brace for numbers-based reality.
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