We see a continuing trend developing in the monthly podcast metrics published by Listen Notes. As was the case last month, June’s new podcast launches dropped from the previous month, showing the lowest new-show production in a year. Click for more info and graphs. Continue Reading
The venerable People’s Choice Podcast Awards is rolling for 2023, opening the nomination process. Anyone can nominate a show or vote. (Hence: People’s Choice.) Additionally, podcast creators may submit their pods for $50 per show per category. Last year’s participation list makes an outstanding discovery resource. Click for all the details. Continue Reading
Sounds Profitable has released a data+interview report (The Podcast Opportunity) which explores buyer perceptions of podcast advertising. With a rich mix of survey data and qualitative interviews with agencies and brands, this project delivers a holistic understanding of podcast advertiser habits, preferences, and perceptions. Click for a sample of survey results, some quotes, and the download link. Continue Reading
Acast sent us a fascinating piece of survey work that questioned podcast listeners about their sentiment toward AI influencing podcasts in over 20 ways. The broad takeaway is approval by listeners for AI in the production process. That approval slants toward technical improvements, with lower levels of acceptance of content manipulations. Click for the interesting details. Continue Reading
AdLarge, an independent ad sales company which connects all kinds of audio publishers with brands, and brands to audiences, has launched AdLarge Labs. The company describes the new venture as “a digital accelerator program to market, monetize, and maximize opportunities for podcast creators.” It is open to all creators and networks. Click for details and key to the waitlist. Continue Reading
In his latest piece, guest columnist James Cridland holds forth on AI. “Any technology can be used for good and for bad. Just ask anyone who’s used Twitter,” he notes. James harkens back in time to when computers were introduced in radio studios, and suggests that while AI shouldn’t replace DJs, it can improve other parts of a station’s output — he mentions traffic and weather. Also: 7 links of interest. Continue Reading
Acast announced today that it has expanded its self-serve podcast advertising platform, which now enables self-serve advertisers to buy host-read sponsorships across the entire Acast Marketplace. “This is a real moment for us,” said Product Manager at Acast Niklas Lagerberg. Click for details. Continue Reading
In his latest piece, guest columnist James Cridland reports on a “visual radio” setup for Nicky Campbell … and changes his mind about it. Also: Radiodays North America, Towercast, a survey from RadioCentre Ireland, and the BBC turning off HLS radio streams. Continue Reading
In Nielsen’s recently released Audio Today 2023 bundle of research, we are not surprised to learn that AM/FM listening remains top of the time-spent audio sources. Among all U.S. adults 18 years and older, radio reaches 91% percent. The domination is decisive. Click for graphs. Continue Reading
by Steve Goldstein
In his latest guest column, Steve Goldstein makes this observation: “Podcast monetization and the concentration of dollars chasing a relatively small number of shows is a big problem for our industry.” In a powerful interview with Christiana Brenton, Acast’s U.S. Head of Sales and Brand Partnerships, these two experts discuss the revenue concentration in podcasting: According to Edison Research, advertisers can reach half of all weekly listeners with just 44 podcasts. Steve calls this “a frightening stat and a systemic problem.” Christiana Brenton calls this “an inflection point” for ensuring a sustainable long-term medium. A must-read. Continue Reading
Edison Research interviews 1,003 Gen Z respondents (13-24) in the U.S. to field the Gen Z Podcast Report 2023. The effort is sponsored by SXM Media, and we covered the teaser report from SXM a couple of weeks ago (here). Now, Edison releases the full detail — 45 pages of Z-specific metrics around podcast listening, discovery, acceptance of advertising, and more. Continue Reading
A quick glance at the interactive version of Triton Digital’s US Podcast Report for May (more exactly, May 1-28) shows two notables — in a mostly stable ranking one network (NPR) and one podcast (CounterClock) stand out. However, the top 100 podcasts remain identical (with minor position jumping) as the previous month. Click for details and links. Continue Reading